About five years ago, God made it clear to us that He was calling us into the mission field full time. We followed that call and Daniel completed seminary at Liberty University. After praying through multiple ministry options, we recently accepted an opportunity to join Global Gates in New York City. Global Gates’ mission is the gospel transforming societies and peoples through ministry, missions mobilization, training, and church planting movements among unreached peoples in our cities and beyond. We really developed a heart for the Bangladeshi people on our short term trips. On Daniel’s trip to Bangladesh, he was able to see the great need for the gospel among this unreached people group.
There are approximately 100,000 Bangladeshis living in Metro New York. We will be working in the Parkchester neighborhood in the Bronx. This neighborhood has the 5th largest concentration of Bangladeshis in the city with no church, little to no engagement, and no church planting efforts currently. The majority in this neighborhood are Muslim and have major influence in their home country. Our vision is to reach this neighborhood for Christ by making disciples and reproducible churches so that subsequently the gospel will be advanced in Bangladesh, and ultimately, throughout the world. With many Bangladeshis owning their own business in NYC, we would also like to use Daniel’s business background to serve these unreached people groups by providing business principles that will help their businesses grow. The prayer is that through this ministry, Daniel will be able to create relationships that will transition into discipleship opportunities.
During our first year in New York, we will be attending a missionary training school called EQUIP. This program will help us learn about the DNA of reproducible church planting, cross-cultural ministry, and the gospel while working alongside experienced church planters. This will also be a hands on learning school where we will have the opportunity to start discovery bible studies and churches among internationals and unreached people groups within New York City.
We would love for you to partner with us to be a part of our ministry team. Please pray for us and the unreached people groups in NYC on a regular basis. Contact us if you would like us to send you a prayer card. We would also love to share more about this and our family mission and vision with you. Please contact us if you would like more information at dowen@globalgates.info for Daniel or jowen@globalgates.info for Julia.
Please follow us for regular updates as we begin this journey of faith. God bless!
Daniel and Julia Owen
Sounds exciting and a great opportunity for you and your family. I will certainly be praying!
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