Redeemer has a heritage of sending missionaries throughout the world and we will continue to strengthen our outreach “to the ends of the earth.” Through our relationship with Brian Anderson, now serving with Morning Star Development in Colorado Springs , Colorado Springs, Colorado , we have a new opportunity to make an impact in the country of Afghanistan .

Who is Morning Star?

Morning Star Development is a non-profit community and economic development organization bringing transformational change to the people of Afghanistan through sustainable economic and community development initiatives in the areas of health care, education, agriculture and small business development.

The need in Afghanistan

Nearly 85% of Afghans live in rural villages and provide for their families through subsistence farming. Many of these villages are in the mountains with no roads, schools, or medical care. In many ways the daily lives of these Afghans have changed little since the time that Jesus walked the earth! For Afghans who migrate to the larger cities in search of a better life, most will end up exchanging one form of poverty for another.

The Strategy

Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic and does not allow the practice of other religions. Christians wishing to make an impact in Afghanistan need to offer something that the Afghans want in order to gain access to the country. So while Morning Star’s vision is to see the Kingdom of God spread throughout the earth, their method of entry is to provide the community and economic development initiatives so desperately needed in this land. They use these initiatives to demonstrate Kingdom living, to build relationships in the community, to share our personal faith with individuals as the Spirit leads, and to provide a platform for long term workers and short term teams to work in-country. In addition they serve as a critical support for the small but growing underground Church.

The Community Center Model

Morning Star Community Centers reach out to bring hope and assistance to rural Afghanistan . A Community Center brings modern services right out into rural villages, including medical care, education, modern agricultural methods, recreation, and access to modern communications including telephone, radio, and Internet. A Community Center also serves as a place to host short term teams from Western countries, providing a secure place to base their operations. Each Community Center will be strategically located to serve 30-50 surrounding villages.

Morning Star has established the first Community Center near the village of Tangi Saidan . This Community Center is approximately 80% complete. It is well-received by the community and the medical clinic is serving 1200 patients per month. Local residents have been trained as Community Health Workers, and they visit surrounding villages bringing medicine and training in basic health care issues, such as simple hygiene. Basic educational and recreation programs have just started.

The Opportunity

The Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development has issued a letter endorsing the Community Center model. The Ministry has challenged Morning Star to establish 1000 Community Centers throughout Afghanistan .

How can Redeemer partner with Morning Star Development?

First of all, they desire that we pray with them to discern the Lord’s will and receive His wisdom for establishing Community Centers in new areas. Through our ACTS in Faith campaign, Redeemer can partner with Morning Star financial to build all or part of a Community Center. A complete Community Center requires approximately $300,000. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a ministry that obviously has God’s blessing—a ministry that has the power to impact lives for the Kingdom as far away as Afghanistan!

For more information on the work of Morning Star Development, go to www.msdev.org.