Friday, March 31, 2023
GFA.org
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
No Result
View All Result
Home Press Releases

Gospel for Asia Helps Families on Verge of Starvation in South Asia Survive COVID-19

Stay-at-home Americans Challenged to Support Coronavirus Relief Efforts

April 9, 2020
inPress Releases
0

Stay-at-home Americans challenged to support coronavirus relief efforts WILLS POINT, TX — Faith-based humanitarian group Gospel for Asia (GFA World)is helping to sustain desperate families pushed to the brink of starvation as South Asia battles the deadly coronavirus.

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) is helping to sustain desperate families pushed to the brink of starvation as South Asia battles to survive COVID-19 coronavirusMore than 5,000 cases of the disease are confirmed in India alone as of April 8, with more than 100 deaths, according to The Economic Times. Meanwhile, there are fears COVID-19 could spread significantly because of limited health services and overcrowding in urban centers where “social distancing” is difficult to practice and hygiene education is lacking.

India, the world’s soon-to-be most populous country, is currently in a national lockdown that is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19. More than a billion people are already living on the margins of society, and many of them are now forced to stay home. The lockdown has left many low-paid day laborers, who barely make enough to get by, without food or money to buy any.

Members of Believers Eastern Church congregations and Sisters of Compassion workers have been distributing emergency supplies in response to the crisis, which also spotlights their ongoing health and wellness efforts to fight disease. In many urban centers and rural villages, the helpers have been giving away bags of vegetables, rice and spices, which are helping sustain some of those who have nowhere to turn for help.

School Bus Turned into ‘Free Store’

In one village, their volunteers turned a school bus into a mobile “free store.” Residents, mostly day laborers at a local brick factory, were invited to take one of the bags of food hanging from the side of the vehicle. Organizers of the distribution chalked out waiting areas to ensure people followed official “social distancing” guidelines.

In one large city, Believers Eastern Church has been feeding 500 people a day. Members cook and prepare meal packs that are then left in the open at strategic spots for people to come and collect, while keeping a safe distance. Elsewhere, teams have been taking food to some of the most vulnerable: the poorest of the poor living in the open and forced to beg.

Among the grateful beneficiaries is Venkatamma, a 37-year-old widow who was given food when helpers visited her village. “Due to the lockdown, my survival became so hard,” she said. “Like me, there are many in our village who are starving. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank Believers Eastern Church for providing the food supplies.”

Local authorities have given Believers Eastern Church permission to offer help while strictly limiting the general public’s movement. One local official gave the go-ahead for a food distribution outreach after hearing that the church wanted to feed people of all faiths who were hungry. Visiting groups have also given advice on how to help avoid spreading the virus through good hygiene practices.

Demonstrating the Love of God

The coronavirus threat has underscored the importance of GFA World’s long-time health efforts in South Asia For years, they have helped to provide freshwater wells, construct community latrines, run medical clinics and teach about personal hygiene as a practical demonstration of God’s love for the needy.

“One of the amazing things that happens in the midst of catastrophic events like this coronavirus is that you will always find the Body of Christ, the holy Church, rising up because of the love of Christ,” said Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founder Dr. K.P. Yohannan.

The efforts of South Asian Christians to help their neighbors echo the actions of the New Testament church, Yohannan said, noting how back then, believers in Macedonia supported churches elsewhere because they were “willing to give out of their poverty to help people who didn’t have anything.”

Yohannan challenged Christians everywhere to match the example of the Macedonians, who were commended in 2 Corinthians 8 for their generosity.

“It is extremely important at this time to fast and pray, and give our resources to help people who have nothing,” he said. “We have an opportunity to help demonstrate the caring love of God, as Jesus spoke about in Matthew 25,” Yohannan said. “He said that when we look after ‘the least’ by feeding the hungry and caring for the needy, we are feeding and caring for him.”

Those interested in supporting GFA World’s hunger relief efforts in Asia, should go to: www.gfa.org/press/covid-19.


PHOTO CUTLINE: SCHOOL BUS SUSTENANCE: A masked Believers Eastern Church pastor oversees food distribution as hard-hit day laborers in a brick factory community take bags of free food hung on the side of a church school bus.

Media interested in interviews with Gospel For Asia should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or [email protected]


About Gospel for Asia

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) is a leading faith-based mission agency, bringing vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ. In GFA World’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,000 clean water wells drilled, over 11,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://gfanews.org/news.


Read more news on COVID-19 on the Gospel for Asia: Digital Media Room.

Tags: Abject PovertyAbout Gospel for AsiaAbsolute PovertyAbsolute Poverty DefinitionBelow Poverty Line in IndiaCauses of Poverty in IndiaCoronavirusCOVID-19Cycle of PovertyDr KP YohannanEffects of Poverty in IndiaExtreme PovertyGenerational PovertyGospel for AsiaGospel for Asia NewsHighlightImages of Poverty in IndiaIndia Poverty LineKP YohannanKP Yohannan BooksKP Yohannan MessagesKP Yohannan QuotesPastor KP YohannanPictures of Poverty in IndiaPopulation Below Poverty Line in IndiaPovertyPoverty AlleviationPoverty Alleviation ProgramPoverty CyclePoverty FactsPoverty in IndiaPoverty in India ArticlesPoverty In India FactsPoverty In India StatisticsPoverty Level in IndiaPoverty Line In IndiaPoverty Percentage in IndiaPoverty Rate in IndiaPoverty Reduction in IndiaWhat Is Poverty Line in IndiaWhat Is the Poverty Line in India
Share195Tweet
Previous Post

A Defense Against Malaria

Next Post

The Expectation of Gospel for Asia School of Discipleship That Was Met

Related Posts

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) spotlights hidden epidemic of missing women and girls on International Women’s Day
Press Releases

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) Spotlights ‘Hidden Epidemic’ of Missing Women On International Women’s Day

March 16, 2023
GFA World (Gospel for Asia) relief teams are distributing vital aid to traumatized survivors of the massive earthquake & aftershocks in Turkey
Press Releases

GFA World Aids ‘Traumatized’ Turkey Quake Survivors

March 8, 2023
GFA World has seen significant growth in the reach of GFA Minute, its rebranded radio program – now on 250 radio stations across the U.S.
Press Releases

New GFA World Radio Program Challenges Listeners to Reject ‘Mediocre Christianity’

February 21, 2023
Every year GFA World and their mission partner, St Cyprian BEC, work together to bring beauty and light to their neighbourhood.
Press Releases

Lighting Up Stoney Creek

January 5, 2023
GFA World Canada celebrates 38 years of serving God and humanity alongside local churches serving as a collection centre for OCC shoeboxes
Press Releases

GFA World Celebrates 38 Years of Serving Alongside Local Churches

December 17, 2022
Child sponsorship makes university dream alive for world's poor, escaping the generational poverty trap, says Gospel for Asia (GFA world)
Press Releases

Child Sponsorship Makes University Dream Come Alive for World’s Poor, Says Gospel for Asia [GFA World]

November 30, 2022
Next Post
Discussing Gospel for Asia School of Discipleship alumni, experienced grace & love in GFA community, to know & love Jesus a little bit more.

The Expectation of Gospel for Asia School of Discipleship That Was Met

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

GFA pastor Sothear gazed at the church building before him. Thirty years. He had waited 30 years for this moment, and now it was reality.
Featured Stories

Pastor’s Prayers Answered After 30 Years

March 25, 2023
GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) spotlights hidden epidemic of missing women and girls on International Women’s Day
Press Releases

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) Spotlights ‘Hidden Epidemic’ of Missing Women On International Women’s Day

March 16, 2023
In perpetual mourning and separation, Saadet was one widow among 258 million worldwide, and she was bereft of love, helpless and alone
Featured Stories

Wrapping Love Around a Lonely Widow

March 11, 2023
GFA World (Gospel for Asia) relief teams are distributing vital aid to traumatized survivors of the massive earthquake & aftershocks in Turkey
Press Releases

GFA World Aids ‘Traumatized’ Turkey Quake Survivors

March 8, 2023

Press Contact

  • Name: Press Relations
  • Phone: 972-300-3379
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: https://www.gfa.org
CORONAVIRUS PRESS KIT

Social Connect

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-972-300-7777
Website: https://www.gfa.org

Connect on Social

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

News Categories

  • Article
  • Featured Stories
  • Field Reports
  • GFA World Magazine
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases

News Archive

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

GFA pastor Sothear gazed at the church building before him. Thirty years. He had waited 30 years for this moment, and now it was reality.

Pastor’s Prayers Answered After 30 Years

March 25, 2023
GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) spotlights hidden epidemic of missing women and girls on International Women’s Day

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) Spotlights ‘Hidden Epidemic’ of Missing Women On International Women’s Day

March 16, 2023
In perpetual mourning and separation, Saadet was one widow among 258 million worldwide, and she was bereft of love, helpless and alone

Wrapping Love Around a Lonely Widow

March 11, 2023
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
  • Media Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

Go to mobile version