Hearts for the Unreached:

Bold Proclamation with Deep Compassion

Anchored in Scripture

Avant begins a new year with hearts anchored in the words of Paul from 1 Thessalonians 2:8:

So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

Selected to be Avant’s theme for 2026, this verse captures the heart of our global ministry—bold proclamation in the context of deep compassion. When Paul wrote these words, he was speaking to a young church in Thessalonica, a city where the gospel was new and opposition was real. Yet, his approach was fearless. He shared the good news of Christ boldly, but he also shared his heart. That combination changed lives then, and it still does today.

Paul was not content to simply preach a message; he poured out his life for the people he served. His love for them was tangible, his commitment personal. Such compassion for the Thessalonians mirrors God’s heart for the lost—He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son (John 3:16). Paul’s words to the Thessalonians reflect God’s love and remind us that reaching the unreached is not merely a transaction—it is relationship.

The Great Need and Our Calling

When you look at the need and the numbers, it can feel impersonal—approximately 70,000 people on our planet dying each day without a saving knowledge of Christ; more than 3 billion people have never heard the Good News of Jesus; and more than 3,000 people groups are unreached and unengaged, meaning they have no meaningful Christian presence and no one actively reaching out to them. A key to reaching them will be a combination of bold proclamation, deep compassion, and intentional relationship.

We believe Avant is called to the people and places where Christ is not yet known, to speak His truth with boldness and to live out His truth with compassion and sacrificial love in the context of relationship. Avant missionaries around the world care deeply and go boldly, with the goal of seeing missionally healthy churches planted and developed among the unreached.

Envisioning and Collaborating in 2026

In 2026, we anticipate God doing extraordinary things through this posture of ministry. We see new doors opening among unreached and unengaged peoples. We envision teams stepping into hard places, building trust, and planting seeds of faith. We expect stories of transformation—not because of our strength, but because of His power working through surrendered lives.

Your part in this journey is vital. None of this is possible without your partnership in prayer, giving, and sending. Thank you for caring deeply, giving generously, and praying fervently. To God be the glory.

Angola: Targeting the Harvest

Angola is one example where the need for trained people in different specialized areas is great. Find out what these are and how you can get involved.

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Church Planting in Ireland

Secularism in Ireland leaves much of the west coast with no biblically based gospel witness. You can use your gifts and experiences to reach the next generation of Irish leaders.

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