Letter From Kurt Selles, Director
In this past year, we’ve done a lot of walking together—but likely a different kind of walking than you’re thinking. You see, in the Bible, the Hebrew word for 'walk' (halak) also refers to following God and living for him in his world. So while much of our ministry took place on the internet, over the radio, and through printed devotionals, your partnership has allowed many people to walk with Christ over the past year from their own homes or wherever they are.
We’ve also taken many steps in faith as a team of ministry partners. Your partners around the world have been developing new apps for smartphones, and launched new video programs. Each of these programs began with partners like you who stepped out in their own faith and trusted ReFrame with your gifts. Thank you!
As you read this annual report, I hope you’ll see ways that God has worked through your faithful giving to guide us as we continue to share the good news of the gospel around the world. I also hope you’ll continue with us on the journey of fulfilling Christ’s mission to the world.
In Christ,
Kurt Selles, director
Walking Together in Devotionals
In June 2023’s Today devotional series, “Walking Through the Bible,” Rev. Selles shared meditations about his journey on the Appalachian Trail. Because of our partners across North America, these devotionals reached hundreds of thousands of online subscribers and print devotional readers. Many of them, like Ponchita, found the devotions to be a helpful reminder of the goodness we find in God’s creation.
“Being among God’s beautiful nature, the ‘green’ gives me a calm, a canvas to paint a vivid portrait of trust and peace to keep in focus as I start my day’s journey,” Ponchita shared. You can see more responses here.
Financial Update
ReFrame Ministries continues to be blessed by faithful supporters. The generosity of our donors remains consistent, sustaining ministry around the world. Though one challenge continues to be the decline in ministry shares as a source of funding, legacy gifts continue to exceed expectations, providing a long-term source of funds for the ministry.
2022-23 Giving—$7,661,000*
2022-23 Expenses—$7,490,00
Ministry Expenses by Language—$5,244,000
Donor Impact: By the Numbers
10 major languages
Reaching 55 countries through radio, TV, and print
7,314 donors and 304 volunteers
28 ministry websites and 69 social media pages
49 audio programs and 45 video programs
315,974 devotional emails sent daily
8,500 Prayer Warriors
Steps Forward in Ministry
Click the tabs below to see how God has been leading our different ministry teams around the world this year.
Arabic
We appointed Rev. Youseff Adel Hanna as the Arabic ministry leader. Rev. Youseff’s experience in the Egyptian church will prove valuable in this new role as he makes ministry connections and builds the Arabic media ministry presence. Youseff, along with the rest of your partners in Egypt, are also developing children’s programs as well as other faith-based programs in a part of the world where being a Christian can be especially dangerous and isolating
Chinese
Your Chinese-language ministry partners have published several new books for church leaders in China and other Chinese speakers. They are also developing an e-reader app for availability inside China. An Android version is already available, with an Apple version still in the works. Pray for wisdom in the continued development process, for a successful launch of an Apple version, and for opportunities to share this resource widely.
English
After many requests from listeners, our Groundwork audio program hosts recently recorded a new series on the book of Revelation that will air in the fall of 2023. Your partners in English ministry are also developing a new app for children to use on smartphones or tablets that will help ourKids Corner ministry’s Bible stories, audio dramas, videos, and other resources reach more young families and children.
French
Your partners established their first partnership with a television station in Burkina Faso—allowing their online gospel video programs to also air on televisions. As communities in western Africa respond to new gospel programming, your partners are developing new partnerships with established churches and church plants to help disciple new believers.
Hindi
Despite new waves of violence against Christians in India, your partners there have been safe and have found new opportunities to share the Word of God online through Zoom, YouTube, and WhatsApp. A member of our online discipleship group says,
“For a long time I longed to get inward peace. But ever since I have started watching your spiritual messages, I have felt a difference in my life. Your messages and meaningful sweet songs provide me inward peace. I want to listen to them again and again."
Indonesian
Your partners in Indonesia are equipping church leaders with new video programs—offering Sunday school teachers, church leaders, and music directors resources for biblical worship. They continue to look for ways to engage young people in the gospel and address violence against Christians with messages of biblical peace.
Japanese
Your partners in Japan see God working in new people through new internet programs as well as radio programs that are also airing online. “Just listening to your conversation makes me feel better,” shared one listener to a program about biblical marriage and parenting. “For me, someone who had no experience hearing conversations like this, I think these conversations are very important.”
Portuguese
Your partners in Brazil are looking forward to new opportunities to connect with churches online and deepen those relationships in person. They recently launched a new mentorship program for pastors that already has more than 200 participants.
Russian
Although they’ve had to pivot or transition many aspects of their ministry, your partners on the ground in Ukraine, Russia, and surrounding countries have continued to share the good news of hope—hope that is only found in the gospel—with those who are displaced or suffering during the war in this region.
Spanish
Your partners are developing strong relationships with churches and leaders in Tabasco, Mexico. They created a new video series for a public television station and equipped churches with new and relevant gospel programming.
