There has been a long silence in regards to MTM updates. Reason being, as we most all are aware of is the global pandemic. Most all International borders remain closed in the countries where MTM ministers. This includes India, Nepal & Myanmar. Please be assured that all MTM staff are well and healthy & patiently waiting for borders to fully open (this means no quarantines). In the mean time we are all (MTM staff) actively involved in Kingdom building work wherever God has called us.

Recently all past, present & future MTM staff were together at Hood River, Oregon (USA) to enjoy a time of God’s faithfulness in reflection as well as Vision casting as we look into the future .

i58 continues to experience an open door in refugee ministry in Greece. There was a standing invitation from i58 for Raymond & Naomi Burkholder to return to minister the Gospel at Chios Island, Greece. i58 is also ministering on the islands of Lesbos & Samos. Lord willing we will be departing August 18^th and be there until October 22^nd. We will be mostly ministering one on one onto Arabian Nations M….. refugees who are on a journey in search of a new life mostly in Europe. May we minister unto them the Light & Life of Jesus Christ. PLEASE DO PRAY FOR US AS WE GO!!!

Current events Update:

Due to the Taliban take over in Afghanistan thousands of Afghani people are fleeing and headed to the refugee camps in Greece. i58 staff has been made aware to prepare for a strong influx of refugees from Afghanistan. Pray for them as they minister the Love of Jesus to those that are hurting and lost all.

For Christ & The Nations,

Raymond Burkholder

Macedonian Teaching Ministry Director

Actually, Greece was also on a COVID lockdown but due to the fact that i58 partners with Euro-Relief, we were able to get special exemption to enter into Greece as an Essential Humanitarian Aid Worker.

For quite a number of years already i58 refugee ministry in Greece was asking Naomi & I to bring MTM to Greece. Finally, after my (Raymond’s) bilateral knee surgery had fully healed and his mobility was restored, the timing seemed right we could answer that i58 call to minister to the refugees there in Greece. The countries in Asia that MTM normally ministers in are all still closed due to Covid-19.

The great evangelical prophet Isaiah prophetically promises in Isaiah 60:1-11 that the gates of the glorious light of the gospel will come to the Arabian nations. These 22 nations were all fathered by Abraham (yes, the father of all who believe by faith). After Sarah dies Abraham takes Keturah for his wife (Genesis 25:1-4). Abraham, fathers 6 sons with Keturah. These 6 sons are the fathers of the 22 Arabian nations stretching across northern Africa all the way from the Atlantic ocean to the Indian Ocean. All these nations today are Islamic. They are unreached people groups for the gospel. The prophet Isaiah promises that they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord (Isaiah 60:6) as well as they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory (Isaiah 60:7)

What a great joy and privilege was ours in being part of this great prophecy being fulfilled through the ministry of i58. These refugees are fleeing their homelands for various reasons, but one thing came through loud and clear. That is, they were willing to risk their lives in crossing the water on small mostly unsafe rubber rafts (from Turkey to Greece) in search of deliverance from forced & failed hope of their present life conditions which is directly connected to their Islamic religion. Considering what they are fleeing from results in a tremendous gospel New Life opportunity and openness in many of them, (but not all).

The Spiritual warfare was very real while we served there in Chios. The opposition was continuously imminent. The COVID-19 lockdown majorly restricted us and kept getting tighter and tighter in the time we served, here from February 14^th until we departed April 2^nd. There also were strict curfews enforced by police. Police would stop us and question us from time to time. There were restrictions along with fines with limits of passengers in vehicles. We were not allowed to visit within the Vail refugee camp but nevertheless God made a way for me (Raymond) to visit one of the Bible studies attendees’ tents for a quick short visit (see photos).

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO ALBUM OF PHOTOS WITH CAPTIONS

Numerous times as I ministered the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ unto these seeking refugees, they would confess they feel the love of God being shed abroad in their hearts. They knew nothing of such love and compassion from where they are coming from. But for them to repent of sin & Islam and Confess Jesus Christ as Lord is not easy for them. They know their lives and their families are at stake. Therefore, they take their time in counting the cost before making a decision for Jesus Christ. Naomi & I just kept on loving on them in various ways. Simply to hear them say things like they feel the love of God flowing through us unto them was worth it all. Our prayer is that the seeds we sowed, will be watered in the future by other missionaries and will bring forth fruit, to God’s honor & glory, in due season. Please do pray with us also. Thank you.

For Christ & The Nations,
Raymond & Naomi Burkholder
Macedonian Teaching Ministry Director

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to you, as a much-appreciated supporter and interested person of the Macedonian Teaching Ministry (MTM) this letter is to inform you of personnel changes that are going to be taking place in the forth coming two years.

Stephen Burkholder (MTM Intern Director)

From the beginning of MTM in August of 2008, my vision and heart has been to mobilize & facilitate native pastors and leaders in helping them to reach their own gospel unreached tribes & people’s groups. Our goal in accomplishing this vision was to provide in depth, motivating and inspirational Biblical teaching of the “All Things of Jesus Christ” as commanded in Matthew 28:20 as well as making disciples of Jesus among All Nations.

Thank you for being a very important part of MTM for all these many years. Your prayer and financial support is much appreciated and greatly valued. Thank you so much for your ongoing involvement with MTM. Naomi and I feel greatly indebted to you for the success & blessing the work of MTM has been over these many years.

As the years of MTM accumulated and finally in the year 2020 I turned 70 years of age it became increasingly obvious that we need to be more seriously thinking about who shall lead MTM into the future decades. This is a phenonium that every aging leader needs to be thinking about. I began searching for a younger man of leadership approximately 7 years ago for this role but since my schedule was so well filled in the work of MTM it became increasingly obvious I was failing in finding a successor for the future MTM director role. Therefore, I requested my IGo-MTM board assist me in finding a man who could lead MTM into the future decades.

I am very grateful for my American board who fully supports the vision & work of MTM and it is their heart to see MTM prosper and go forward for many decades into the future.

Therefore, the board has hired Stephen Burkholder to begin working and traveling with me as I mentor Stephen into becoming the future MTM director. This transition will take place over the next two years.

What will be Pastor Raymond & Naomi Burkholder’s role after Stephen becomes the future director of MTM. Please be assured that our vision & hearts still beat strongly for MTM. As long as God grants Naomi & I health and strength we will still be involved. Perhaps as a senior pastoral teacher/advisor. Presently we are well blessed with health and strength and waiting on the Lord for International borders to open so we can get on with the work of MTM.

We do believe and trust the Lord that His continued hand will be upon the work of MTM and that MTM will be a blessing of fruitfulness unto the nations for many more years to come.

For Christ & The Nations,
Raymond Burkholder