Global Family Member, Pastor Alfred Biswas, is a busy man - travelling throughout Bangladesh. Alfred has planted 13 churches across Bangladesh under the name Smyrna House Of Prayer – an organisation with a mission to provide spiritual guidance and support to the people of Bangladesh, particularly those who are marginalised, impoverished and in need of hope. Through the churches that have been planted they offer a variety of services to new believers and to support existing Christians in their faith – worship services, prayer meetings, Bible study groups and support sessions. Alfred continues to oversee and pastor those churches’ leaders, supporting them in their own journey and the work that they do for their communities.
He also oversees Home of the Champions, a mixed orphanage for 21 boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years, 30km outside of Dhaka. The home aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for orphans and vulnerable children, equipping them with the skills and education they need to become successful adults, and transforming their lives. Alfred has also founded the Smyrna Development Society which provides humanitarian aid to some of the poorest of Bangladesh.
Please pray for Alfred as he teaches church planting training sessions, speaks at outreach and revival meetings and goes into new areas to tell people the good news of Jesus. There is still more...
World in Need is working with Alfred to build a community school in Thakurgaon, a rural district in northern Bangladesh. The people of Thakurgaon face severe poverty, with many people struggling to make ends meet and access basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare. The district has a high rate of illiteracy and many children are unable to attend school due to financial hardship and the distance they need to travel to a school building. This lack of education limits opportunities for the children and as they become adults it perpetuates the cycle of poverty.
The new school will be a one year pre-school, to prepare children for mainstream school. The building will also function as a church meeting place. There are many new believers in the area and the site will provide a place to meet for the church community and the wider community as the believers increase their mission work in the area. The initial phase of building has been undertaken but we still need funding to complete the work.
Alfred says “There is a huge need for children to be educated so we will use the building to give an informal education to children and get them prepared for more formal schooling. The building will also benefit the whole community as it will be used for community outreach events and to bless those in need in the area."
There is just under £2,000 left to reach our fundraising goal to finish the building. Your donation, no matter how small, can make a big, and real, difference. If you would like to join us in supporting the appeal to finish this building please visit the Bangladesh Building Appeal page.
