| International Village Ministries is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. Contributions are tax deductible using IRS guidelines. International Village Ministries has established the following outreach ministries in order to increase communication across ethnic cultures for the sake of the Gospel: Preaching and teaching Since 2007, we have been preaching at local churches in Oklahoma and Texas, where there is a strong focus on international student ministry. Sharing God's message in a culturally sensitive manner helps build bridges between different cultures to change the lives of international students. Delivering the message in their mother tongues is critical for these students. Typically, these churches have all of the necessary audio and video equipment. Our officers only need to bring a PowerPoint file with laser pointer for visual aid. We teach God's words to uplift an individual's spirit and preach the principles of the Bible. John Long periodically preaches in local churches in Norman, OK, and in China. Kevin Avery preaches in local churches in Tulsa, OK, and through virtual spaces such as Zoom or YouTube. Dave Oxenham leads a Bible study at his home. These services are conducted with prayer and thought. A sermon is developed using hermeneutic skills. The honorariums for our services are faith based and non-obligatory. Websites offering international resources The purpose of this activity is to make religious resources available through the internet. Individuals of all nations have access to the Bible and other religious materials and receive discipleship in all languages through our website. Additionally, Chinese believers benefit from John Long's bi-lingual sermons in the English and Chinese languages. This program was launched in January 2007. Foreign missionaries tend to lack resources to bridge cultural gaps. Web pages established by our organization in 2003 for missionaries in Uganda, Zambia, Nairobi, and Mozambique have proven to be helpful in communicating their purpose of missions to the U.S. groups of believers. Dave Oxenham is in charge of maintaining the website. He periodically reviews the website and updates information on a monthly basis or more often if necessary. Enhancing communications We encourage church members engaged in ESL programs or any tutoring services to come to churches or university campuses where international students tend to congregate. They are asked to befriend and help individuals desiring to learn English. The participants have the possibility to meet for fellowship and encourage each other to live a holy life according to the Bible. During the meetings, international students may enjoy casual conversations with native speakers and enhance their knowledge and listening ability. Working with churches in China The purpose of this activity is to help bridge the gap between various cultures in church and educational settings. We organize mission trips to China, where we establish home study groups and provide educational opportunities in churches to those in need of it. All of the organization's activities are funded through donations received by the organization. Our efforts are promoted via internet and word of mouth. The board of directors is in charge of the organization's outreach ministries. Other key activities International Village spends a part of its time and effort on administrative activities, including regular meetings. Such activities are held to ensure that the organization is working efficiently and effective in fulfilling its objectives. The organization also promotes itself among the community and other organizations. The objectives of engaging in public relations are to promote International Village among potential donors and encourage the public to contribute to our efforts. For these purposes the organization maintains a website (www.international-village.org). International Village is also engaged in fundraising activities. This includes grant procurement and solicitation of donations from various donors. These funds are not used for private gain of any individual. Any surplus income for each year that may occur goes in the next year and is used for the primary purposes of the organization. International Village will not participate in any fundraising program where there is direct benefit to the individual who raises the funds. We will adopt no system where individuals receive aid based on the amounts raised specifically for them. It is the policy of International Village to help individuals who request aid, even if the individual or family does not take an active part in any of our fundraising activities. The support of an individual will not depend on the fundraising effort of the individual or family. We will make this policy clearly known to all recipients.
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