The number 30 is significant in the Bible. The age of 30 marked an age of maturity, and both John the Baptist and Jesus were about 30 years old when they began their ministry. For them, 30 wasn’t the end of something but the beginning.
As East-West enters its 30th year of ministry, I’m viewing this anniversary in the same way. This is only the beginning of the incredible things God will and continues to do among the unreached worldwide.
And we truly believe it is God doing the work. Yes, we do mobilize the church and partner with local believers in more than 40 countries. We do share the gospel with those who have never heard the name of Jesus. We do train indigenous leaders to multiply disciples and churches in their communities. But none of this would be possible without the provision and power of our Lord. He said people from all nations will one day worship Him (Revelation 7:9), and He will see that it is accomplished.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate all that God has done over the past 30 years and expectantly look ahead to what’s next. As you read the statistics and stories in this report, I pray that your heart is stirred to want to do even more to partner with God in this gospel work. After all, we all have a role to play in the Great Commission.
*These countries include established ministry fields and developing ministry fields.
For 30 years, God has worked through East-West to take the gospel to millions of unreached people and multiply scores of disciples and churches. East-West has grown from operating in one Soviet-era nation to working in more than 40 nations and partnering with thousands of local believers where the name of Jesus is unknown. We are praising God for all the ways He has allowed us to shine His light in the world’s spiritually darkest places.
275 million gospel shares.
21 million professe faith in Jesus.
330,000 churches were planted.
Before the fateful fall of the Berlin Wall, two men began taking the gospel behind the Iron Curtain. John Maisel and Bud Toole followed the Lord’s leading to reach the lost and train church leaders in spiritually dark nations—beginning with Russia.
Barata was not going to hear the gospel from people in his community. He belongs to an unreached people group of 15 million people in Southeast Asia. Less than 1% of those in his community follow Jesus. But, God had a plan for Barata and led Oscar, an East-West missionary, to him to share the gospel.
In her dream, Bashira was in the middle of a vast ocean before daybreak. As the blazing sun expanded across the horizon, she knew it was a sign guiding her to be baptized in the waters. She woke up to a sweeping peace and refreshment, curious about the Christian practice of baptism.
10.1 million people were reached with the gospel.
711 workers were sent.
East-West is supported by the gifts of partners who share our passion for multiplying disciples in the world’s spiritually darkest areas.
We are committed to steward well the resources God has given us to take the gospel to those who have not heard of Jesus Christ’s saving work on the cross. We strive to communicate the impact and needs of these projects with integrity. Because you are one of our financial partners, we wanted to share with you our financial highlights from 2022.
There is a critical mission to be carried out, but many of us feel we can’t contribute to it. We’re too weak. We’re too shy. We don’t have the right skills or personality. We’re not good enough to really make a difference.
But believe it or not, you are exactly the person God is looking for. Those who feel inadequate, ill-equipped, and afraid are the kind of people the Lord raises up to accomplish great things. The Great Commission is not reserved for just the brave, the outgoing, or the talented. God has a role for every believer—even you.
