Impact Updates from Around the World - June
Take a quick trip around the world with us and catch a glimpse of what God is doing through One Collective communities.
Central Asia: Simple conversations inspire home church fellowship
The One Collective Catalyst in this Central Asian community recently met with three local believing families in the village. She asked them if they share with family, friends, and neighbors that they are believers. Two of them said “no” because of fear of what the repercussions might be from their neighbors and villages. They could become outcasts, kicked out, or potentially harmed. The Catalyst did not know how to respond to these comments because she has never encountered the kind of persecution that so many local believers share in their personal testimonies.
The Catalyst asked them what would be something that they could do to lessen that fear of sharing their faith. One of them said it would help if they had a place to come together and meet. Most religious fellowships have a central building to meet and gather. Unfortunately new laws prohibit registering any new religious institutions. It was suggested that two of the families that live close to one another come together and do a home fellowship gathering. They all thought about the idea and liked it.
One of the men started brainstorming other ways that they could gather. The three families committed to gathering the next two weeks at one of their homes for a home fellowship! They started on a Sunday and the Catalyst was invited! Now they're planning to meet every two weeks.
Please lift them up in prayer as they start meeting together and sharing the vision with other believers in the area. Pray that they would become bold and start sharing their faith with their families, friends, and neighbors.
Nicaragua: Marimba Academy celebrates their one year anniversary
On April 1st, Marimba Academy marked its one year anniversary. In just twelve months, this grassroots initiative based in Masatepe has become a catalyst for community transformation. It is creating access to knowledge and new opportunities for children, youth, and families. The Academy offers courses in Marketing, Leadership, and Finance, and quickly inspired students to launch their ideas and believe in their ability to create change in their local community.
The team has also launched English programs for kids, youth, and adults. The response was greater than ever imagined. Today, over 70 students are actively participating, unlocking doors to brighter academic and professional futures and laying a foundation for community relationships.
Looking ahead, they are working toward launching a kindergarten and a local library. These spaces will nurture learning from an early age and encourage a culture of reading and lifelong growth.
Spain: New Voces Mujeres support group launching for victims of domestic abuse
The team in Spain is launching a new session of their Voces Mujeres (Women’s Voices) support group for victims of domestic violence. They currently have 7 women attending. One woman shared with the group: “You feel you have less worth than the dog.” She recounted her previous marriage that was riddled with verbal abuse and stonewalling. Her former husband would go months where he would only speak to their dog but never to her. Now she is turning her pain intro caring for others.
Spain offers social services for domestic abuse victims but those services are often hard to find and women feel isolated and alone in the process. Voices Mujers was created for women to form community, share resources, process their pain and find healing. The One Collective team is training a new team member who will facilitate the support group. They have also partnered with a local non-profit working with immigrant women as well as with Raquel, an art professor and member of their local church. One of the workshops provided to the participants is on making soap. They use high quality Spanish olive oil and other natural ingredients. They sell the artisan soap and use the proceeds to help fund the group and hire workshop facilitators. Together, they are building a safe, creative, and empowering space for women to connect, heal, and grow.
South Asia: Women’s literacy centers teach 250 women to read Scripture
"My hands are only good for a hammer or washrag. They will never hold a pencil."
This is the sentiment for many women in South Asia who have made it through life without knowing how to read and never seeing themselves as valuable enough to be educated.
The One Collective team in South Asia team has partnered with an organization that has developed a literacy curriculum and trained our local leaders and teachers. We have been able to teach 250 women (and 20 men who snuck in to join us) to read at an 8th grade level. They now ****know basic math, understand basic health practices, learn the value of a girl child, and know basic finance and business skills- all while learning the ways of Jesus.
One 71 year old woman has embraced this opportunity. When others ask her why she would be devoting time every day to go to a women's literacy class she replied: "I just want to read the Bible." This is what she tells everyone with hope and conviction in her voice.
Her village is a mostly unreached context and most people there don't understand her hunger to read scripture. Someone took the gospel to her community in the 1960's and many people became believers. That worker was kicked out within only a few years of being there so while some people received access to Jesus, they never received discipleship.
But they are still hungry to learn about Jesus and his ways.
The ability to read is a key factor in discipleship. It provides access to scripture, develops leaders, and creates opportunity to break cycles of poverty. The results are life changing. We have started ten house fellowships in this area. "Who is Jesus?" "What is salvation?" These are the kinds of questions unreached women are asking. Because they can read, they are turning to scripture for the answers. Persecution is very high here, but even the local government recognizes the change and has asked us to expand our classes and are supporting this work.
Zambia: Strategic partnership with local medical clinic brings physical and spiritual healing
At One Collective, our mission is to bring people together to help the oppressed by ensuring communities have access to Food, Freedom, and Forgiveness. One of the key ways we do this is through strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations. In Zambia, we’ve partnered with Allens, a Christian medical officer who founded the Star of Hope Clinic.
His approach to healthcare is rooted in compassion, dignity, and prayer—offering a stark contrast to the often impersonal care found in other local clinics. His dedication to accurate diagnoses and heartfelt service has brought true healing to many. One of the most powerful examples of this impact is seen in Allens' care for our friend Clifford. Through regular visits, prayer, and Christlike love, Allens offered Clifford not just medical attention, but deep spiritual support in his final days.
Though Clifford has passed, the love he received reminds us why these partnerships matter. Together, we’re not just addressing physical needs—we’re restoring hope and dignity in communities that need it most.
These are just a few snapshots of what God is doing across the globe. Thanks so much for reading!
Lindsey Vanzant
Global Giving Advisor
Lindsey serves as the Global Giving Advisor for One Collective, where her primary focus is to coach financial supporters by connecting their goals, experiences and passions to the work God is doing on the front lines in communities where One Collective serves around the world.
Prior to joining One Collective, Lindsey spent 15 years in various business development and account management roles with Rubbermaid Commercial Products where she most recently led the healthcare division. For the past 11 years, Lindsey has led a local ministry support group for young moms with unplanned pregnancies alongside her local church.
Lindsey lives in Indiana with her husband and four children and loves to travel, explore new places, meet new people, cheer on Hoosier basketball, grow flowers, and spend time with family and friends.
