Coming off the heels of East-West’s 30th year of ministry, I couldn’t be more excited for what is ahead of us! The Lord has abundantly provided for this ministry for more than three decades, and it’s clear that He is carrying us forward to this day.
One of the most visible ways I see that is in the way God is opening doors to the unreached. At East-West, we aim to take the gospel to all people, meaning we have to go where the good news is inaccessible and unknown.
In 2023, we were able to engage with 62 unreached people groups we had not worked among before—that’s 38 more unreached people groups than we engaged the year before. These 62 people groups came from all corners of the globe. From Latin America to Africa and from Europe to South Asia, the gospel is compelling people to step out of darkness and into God’s light.
I pray you will be as encouraged by the evidence of God’s grace in this report as I am. After all, you had a part to play in the spiritual fruit we saw in 2023. Your gifts, time, and prayers supported the ministry of East-West in immeasurable ways. Thank you for helping us reach the unreached in 2023!
East-West works among unreached people groups in 46 countries encompassing 10 major world regions. Nearly 20 of these countries (42%) are on the World Watch List for places where Christians are most persecuted.
8.7 million people were reached
with the gospel.
1 million professed faith in Christ.
163,119 disciples were multiplied.
8.7 million people were reached with the gospel.
1 million professed faith in Christ.
163,119 disciples were multiplied.
16,119 churches were planted.
16,523 leaders were trained.
862 workers were sent.
62 new unreached people groups were engaged.
Last year marked 30 years of ministry for East- West. By God’s grace, East-West has shared the gospel with more than 284 million people, and more than 22 million have professed faith in Jesus in the past 30 years!
In September, East-West announced that Kristen Shuler was selected as the next President while Kurt Nelson remains the CEO. Kristen has been with East-West since 2010 and has served as Executive Vice President of Development, Senior Vice President of Field Leadership, and Acting President and CEO.
A major earthquake devastated the Middle East in February 2023, killing more than 55,000 people. As East-West missionaries responded to relief efforts, the earthquake presented opportunities to share the gospel with the unreached in the Middle East.
Every four years, East-West’s staff gathers in one location to reconnect and grow. In July, about 500 staffers from across the globe traveled to Colorado for ReGathering. The week was full of games, updates from the field, and fellowship.
Last year marked 30 years of ministry for East- West. By God’s grace, East-West has shared the gospel with more than 284 million people, and more than 22 million have professed faith in Jesus in the past 30 years!
In September, East-West announced that Kristen Shuler was selected as the next President while Kurt Nelson remains the CEO. Kristen has been with East-West since 2010 and has served as Executive Vice President of Development, Senior Vice President of Field Leadership, and Acting President and CEO.
A major earthquake devastated the Middle East in February 2023, killing more than 55,000 people. As East-West missionaries responded to relief efforts, the earthquake presented opportunities to share the gospel with the unreached in the Middle East.
Every four years, East-West’s staff gathers in one location to reconnect and grow. In July, about 500 staffers from across the globe traveled to Colorado for ReGathering. The week was full of games, updates from the field, and fellowship.
Last November, a short-term mission team from Latin America flew to South Asia to share the gospel with unreached people. This was the first time East-West deployed a short-term team from outside of the United States. Despite this language barrier, more than 600 people heard the gospel, and 25 professed faith in Jesus!
In South Asia, near the heart of the 10/40 Window, one man heard the gospel and placed his faith in Jesus despite living in an unengaged unreached people group. When Kavi became a believer, he wanted nothing more than to tell others about Jesus—especially those who had never heard the gospel. Committed to this calling, Kavi would travel to places where taxis and buses couldn’t go. That meant walking up to 35 miles at times.
As Kavi shared the gospel in unreached villages, a movement began to form. He raised up more than 50 local leaders and planted more than 100 churches in his first four years of knowing Jesus.
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 stewarding well the resources God has given us to take the gospel to those who have not heard of the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross. We strive to communicate the impact and needs of ministry projects with integrity. Because of that, we want to share with you our financial highlights from 2023.
By mobilizing the global Church to reach all people, East-West is seeking to accomplish these faith goals in 2024:
Share the gospel with 10 million people
Multiply 250,000 disciples
Train 15,000 new leaders
Plant 25,000 new churches
Send 1,000 new workers
Engage 60 new unreached people groups
For a limited time, you can watch a free virutal event hosted by East-West to hear more stories about what God is doing in the 10/40 Window and discover how you can help shine God’s light.
