Ministries Making a Difference
Church-like missions grow from ashes, AI in Bible translation, fresh face for Philly House, trauma care for bystanders
The Word for the World is using AI called AiBT (artificial intelligence immersed Bible translation) to develop first drafts of the Bible in languages that do not have Scripture in their “heart language.” The new capabilities will fast track the process, accomplishing much of the initial translation work and getting it into the hands of indigenous Bible translators trained by the ministry who will then use “community and exegetical reviews and checks along with human Bible consultant reviews” to finish translating Scripture into their mother tongue. The Word for the World has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a 100 donor confidence score in the MinistryWatch database.
Before the end of 2024, Philly House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is slated to begin renovations on its first floor entrance. Its current entrance is in a dark side alley, but using the “principles of Trauma Informed Design,” Philly House will have a fresh face that is both functional and aesthetically welcoming. Between January and March of 2024, Philly House served 28,498 meals to homeless individuals, sheltered 639 men, and helped find long-term housing for 37 people. Philly House has 2 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 85.
God is able to bring beauty from the ashes and devastation of natural disasters. When Nazarene Compassionate Ministries mobilized a disaster response team to deploy to areas of the Philippines impacted by floods and a fatal landslide, local churches partnered with them to set up “Child-Friendly Spaces,” distribute relief goods, and minister to victims. Because of that ministry, some of those same churches have helped launch five separate church-like missions that will provide ongoing local support to their communities. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100 in the MinistryWatch database—the highest score in each of the three categories.
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After working alongside professional first responders, Chaplain and Pastor Chuck Kish of Bethel Assembly of God in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, began setting his ministry sights on the non-professional first responders—bystanders who are often first on the scene at accidents or other critical incidents. While professional first responders have access to counseling and trauma training, bystanders are often both unprepared and unaware of how to process through whatever tragedy they may have witnessed. Kish created the Critical Incident Caring For You Card, distributed to bystanders by police or emergency responders. The cards include guidance, including symptoms (nightmares, grief), a list of dos’/don’ts after a critical incident (do get enough rest, don’t withdraw, etc.), and contact details for reaching out for help.
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