The Gospel of Peace

When we observe the geopolitical struggles unfolding across our world, I am more convinced than ever that the only true answer is the Gospel of peace. Decisions made far from the places they affect continue to cause deep harm. While we are all impacted, it is most often the poorest communities who suffer most — families living in fear in war-torn regions; households unable to afford fuel to cook their food; fishermen waiting hours for gasoline only to find the pumps empty when they reach the front of the line. The effects of power struggles and evil are not theoretical — they are lived daily by the world’s most vulnerable.

Yet in the midst of this, I am reminded of King Nebuchadnezzar. After a long season of humbling, he lifted his eyes to heaven and declared: “Then I praised the Most High and honoured and glorified Him who lives forever, for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation…There is no one who can block His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34–35 CSB)

Ultimately, God is in control. As Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, “A king’s heart is like channelled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.” (CSB) Even amid financial strain and political powerplays, God’s purposes cannot be thwarted. His ways are higher than ours.

I have seen this truth firsthand. Recently, I met one of our partners serving in a country where it is illegal to attempt to convert someone to Christianity. Through regular visits to a drought-stricken rural community — poor and openly opposed to the Gospel — this partner and others committed themselves to prayer and fasting. The Lord sent rain, and hearts began to soften. As people experienced physical healing, many began to turn to Him.

During one visit, an angry husband confronted our partner, accusing her of trying to convert people. Listening to the Holy Spirit, she calmly explained that she was not there to force faith, but to help people find peace. By the end of the conversation, the Lord had softened the man’s heart. Soon after, he and his family began supporting the work and attended an outreach.

In another country, I spent time with a group of women living among people of a different faith. They testified to God’s patient work drawing people to Himself. After years of prayer and discipleship, January saw around 170 baptisms. By the end of March, that number had grown to 438 — so many that the women hired a van and travelled house to house for an entire day, joyfully baptising new believers (they called it a "Baptism Safari"!)

God’s plans are never thwarted. He is never late or indifferent. He is patient, “not wanting any to perish but all to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Jesus Himself assures us, “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33 CSB)

So, as you look upon the world today, be encouraged. This Gospel of peace is advancing — often quietly, often against resistance, but always according to God’s plan.

James Rees-Thomas
India Partnership Facilitator

Bright Hope World News

As with so much of the world, our hearts and prayers have been focused recently on the people in the Middle East.

Bright Hope World has a number of partners in this region, but we have been particularly concerned about those in Lebanon. We have two active partnerships here.

The first is based in Beirut and is headed by Bassam and Nada Haddad. This partnership focuses on supporting, training and building relationships with refugees, particularly from Syria. Nada recently wrote to us saying:

"Over the past days, the intensity of the fighting has increased significantly. This intensity continues to weigh heavily on everyday life. Conversations are filled with 'what if'. Please take a moment to pray for de-escalation, for protection, against fear and despair, for spiritual breakthroughs. Thank you for standing with us — not from a distance, but in true partnership through prayer. Your intercession matters more than you may ever fully see."

The second partnership we have in Lebanon is based in the Beqaa valley in the east of Lebanon, not far from the Syrian border. This ministry focuses on caring for poor refugees, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable in this community. Bright Hope World partners with them in caring for mothers and young children. A recent email from them talked about the celebration of Mother's Day, which is very significant for them:

"Mothers usually wait for a beautiful flower, or perhaps a simple gift. But the most precious gift has always been a humble card, drawn by the tiny hands of a child — colored with a bright red heart and the simple words: 'I love you'. Yet this year is different. This year, children could not celebrate… and mothers could not wait for their gifts. Because in Lebanon, blood is being shed…tears are silently swallowed by aching hearts…and between 700,000 and 800,000 people have been displaced. And yet even in the midst of pain, fear, and loss, there remains something that cannot be taken away: a mother’s love. No war can silence it. No displacement can erase it. Mothers have become the true soldiers of this war, carrying a weight no one should ever have to bear. In schools now turned into shelters, we meet them holding their children tightly, their eyes filled with fear, exhaustion, and a quiet, overwhelming hopelessness. You can see the questions they are too tired to ask aloud: What will happen to us? How will we survive? Every day, they live with the terror of losing their children—or of being hurt themselves and no longer able to care for them. They endure harsh, crowded conditions that strip away even the smallest sense of safety or dignity. And yet, despite everything, they continue to stand — broken but still fighting in the only way they can: by holding their families together."

Bright Hope World has committed to providing additional funds to these partners to enable them to support displaced and traumatised people in the midst of war. If you would like to assist us in providing support, you can do so by contributing financially noting the reference: LEB.

Please also join us in praying for the people of Lebanon and those impacted by conflict in other countries in the Middle East.

Life Change Story – Ashaloy Tailoring Centre, India

Hilary* is from a Muslim background and was married when she was 16. She didn’t finish school. She is the second wife of a man who is 15 years older than her. There are six children in the household, two are hers. But her husband's parents, one grandparent and another wife make for a large household and the father is only a rickshaw driver. Some days he doesn’t make any money and all they have to eat is rice. She heard from a neighbour about the sewing course and her neighbour spoke to Tom* about it and asked if a Muslim woman could attend. He agreed and her husband let her when Tom came and explained about it. Her husband was very reluctant for her to go to a Christian house, but she pestered him until he relented.

She was very afraid when she first went to the place, she didn’t know what to expect. But she was welcomed and soon made friends. She was in the 5th course and when the visitors came from outside India, she was very afraid, it was the first time she had touched a white person and been in a room with them. But they were nice and she was happy. Since she received a sewing machine, her life has changed. She is now earning more than her husband and makes a lot of savings as she makes clothes for the family. Everyone thinks she is very smart. She likes to visit Tom and meet the girls from the other courses. The girls from there are her best friends now. And the children from their place have the nicest clothes in the neighbourhood.

* Names have been changed for security reasons.

For more information click here.

Bright Hope World Prayer and Praise

Pray that the 'Gospel of Peace' would impact throughout the world, particularly in the face of increased conflict and division. Pray that the power of the Holy Spirit would be displayed clearly so that those that oppose the Gospel would see the reality of God and be persuaded of His might and love.
Pray for our partners in - and the people of - Lebanon. Pray that this terrible conflict would come to an end and the people of Lebanon would be able to return to normal lives in peace. Pray that those helping others in God's name would be equipped and strengthened in this important work.
Pray for Hilary and all the other women whose lives are being empowered by learning how to sew.
Travel for our team has been significantly impacted by the current Iranian conflict with some trips being cancelled altogether and others having to be changed to avoid flying through Dubai. Please pray for wisdom in rescheduling trips and for minimal ongoing disruption.

New Partner Profile – KNSS Testing Centre, India

Date Commenced: November 2025

Budget: US$8,800

KNSS is a church planting movement based around helping church planters (community workers) become self-sufficient and bi-vocational. Part of their vision is to also see KNSS become self-sustaining as an organisation and generate funds in-country, so they are not so reliant on financial support from overseas.

To this end they are looking to set up a testing centre offering entrance examinations and government certification as an income generating activity. This is an important step in achieving their vision to have 200 bi-vocational workers out in the field and be self-sustaining.

The testing centre will conduct entrance examinations for universities and colleges and offer professional certifications and skill assessments. They will also organise competitive examinations for government jobs and provide a safe environment for online testing in Kolkata.

KNSS's vision is to see many churches planted in this area. They intend to train teams and send them out into the Sunderbans, lifting communities out of poverty and spiritual darkness.

A one-off amount is needed to enable them to set up the testing centre. This is being provided as a loan which will be repaid over two years. Once the BHW loan is repaid, 50% of the net profit will be used for KNSS operating costs and the other 50% will be used to fund ministry projects.

For security reasons, this partnership is not published online.

Bright Hope World At a Glance

Through more than 200 active Bright Hope World partnerships in 29 countries...

17,946 families are being assisted to provide for themselves
6,067 children are being supported into schooling
1,702 elderly, disabled or chronically ill people are being supported
2,264 families are accessing microloans
1,095 people are learning to read and write in literacy classes
253 people are being employed in businesses established by our partners
3,386 people are in vocational training
263 church planters are being supported
935 refugees and internally displaced people are being assisted