History of International Assistance Program
"Relationship continues and grows best in face to face communion."
It's through relationship that many significant things happen in our lives - oftentimes overwhelming things! This is the case with the birth of the international ministry of the IAP.
Our story begins with a Campus Crusade missionary working in Romania who came into "communion" with a missionary-pastor from Romania, who had had face to face fellowship with a pastor with a shepherds heart in the United States. Mike Uno, with Campus Crusade for Christ was the missionary who came to know of a pastor who was pastoring the underground church of Romania - Pastor Josif Stefanuti.
Through much toil and persecution, Pastor Josif was used by the Lord to build a solid spiritual base 'underground' in and through the lives of faithful men of God. As a result of his servant's heart and passion for people, new churches were started after the fall of Ceausescu in December of 1989. It was this heart that touched and challenged the Uno's to share his vision and work back in the States where the need of the Romanian people could be realized, and perhaps feet given to the vision of this key leader.
Josif came to the United States seeking financial provision to put feet to a vision that included a seminary, Christian High School, Christian Orphanage, and Medical Clinic. Through Sonny Westbrook, pastor of South Hill Bible Church in Spokane, Washington, Josif would meet Keith Davis and a visionary agricultural businessman, Fred Fleming. As Josif shared with Fred the needs & the potential for farming in Romania, seeds were planted in Fred's heart to help Josif fulfill his vision.
In June of 1992, a group of men from Spokane (Keith Davis, Merlyn Calvert, Sonny Westbrook, and Keel Dresback) traveled to Romania to meet with Pastor Josif and some of his people. The purpose of the trip was for identification of potential indigenous funding that could be generated within the country. Fred's idea of a farm project seemed to meet a great many of the needs and at the same time lay a foundation for further funding within the country. After much time with the Josif and his people, these men met one evening until midnight in Constanta, on the Black Sea. It is here that the ministry of the IAP was born.
Upon returning from Romania, Keith Davis approached Northview Bible Church with the proposal to place the IAP ministry under the church's umbrella of accountability and mission until further understanding and direction could be gained. God was gracious and opened the doors for the arrangement. Keith then began gathering groups of businessmen to share the concept and the vision. It didn't take long before people began to see the potential such projects could have.
The relationship Keith had from the time spent in Romania with Pastor Josif and his people was being fostered into the lives of others as Keith began to share. The communion was sweet as people began to see the multiple avenues of potential impact projects of this sort could have in the lives of the Romanian people. Beyond the incredible benefit it could have on the provision of food in an economy laced with corruption and tremendous 'lack,' the financial provision it could give the Church to aggressively meet the people where they were at was very much in line with the initial vision of Pastor Josif.
In March of 1993, another trip took place with Keith Davis, Fred Fleming, Keel Dresback, Greg Thomas and Marlin Statema. At this time some commitments were made to Josif to work long term with him on the project. Marlin returned to the States with the idea that if God so directs, he and his wife Sharon would return. God did direct! One evening at Northview, after a presentation regarding the project, Marlin Statema and his wife Sharon approached Keith. With joy they shared their interest in the vision and of the potential they might have serving as Project Manager on the farm for a one-year commitment. In September of 1993 they left their business in good hands and departed for their new assignment and the new relationships they would begin with a people in a different culture.
Since that initial face to face encounter with a people in need, much has taken place.
- A medical clinic has been started and is working toward supporting itself.
- Local area dental technicians and dentists are training Romanian dental technicians.
- Local physicians travel and serve Romanians with their health needs.
- A greenhouse is providing the needs of people as they grow vegetables and sell them in the local market.
- The Home of Hope is bringing orphans into a Christian family setting.
- A ceramic business has been started in Mexico with non-U.S. nationals, which serves to provide training, employment and builds healthy business relationships.
Opportunities for economic development have opened up in Ethiopia, Ecuador and Ghana. Lives are continuing to be changed.
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