Chinatown Outreach Ministry
“Reaching the Chinese of New York City with the Gospel”
October 4, 2009
Ministry Update
Dear Friends,
This is our first newsletter in several months. We hope that all is well with you and that you are prospering in the Lord. As you can see by the pictures that we’ve enclosed, we have been very busy here in Brooklyn! The area we are in, Sunset Park, has a very large Chinese population (possibly upward to 50,000) and it is continuing to grow.
We are sending you some pictures of the 8th Avenue commercial district. It stretches approximately 20 blocks and is composed of almost exclusively Chinese Businesses. The area also has 2 subway stops that handle a large number of people coming here to shop. Most of these businesses have a Buddhist altar in them that the owners set up for good luck and invoke Buddha to bring them financial wealth.
As most of you know, we expanded our ESL school last year and took a building in a great location, right off of 8th Ave. Our attendance has tripled and it has covered the costs of the rent, Chinese teachers and secretaries. Every step we take where we are willing to obey the Lord in faith, HE provides!
Now that the school is established we are turning our attention even greater to the concerns closer to the Lord’s heart: the evangelization of this community! There is a tremendous need here, as most of the Chinese residents know little or nothing about Jesus Christ. God has allowed them to come here specifically to present them with an opportunity to meet HIM.
Acts 17: 26 “God set for them the exact places where they should live, so that they would seek him and perhaps find him”.
We are His ambassadors to introduce them to Him and teach them how to “seek God”.
Romans 10: 14 -15 “How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news’ “
We are presently circulating a bi-weekly testimonial throughout the area that speaks of our personal experiences in receiving God’s love. These people are overwhelmed with “survival issues” and they need to know that God loves them in ways that they can relate to their perceived needs.
Please pray for us that we will be unhindered in our efforts to do God’s work here. God bless you for your prayers and support.
Thank you,
Pat and Joanne Panettieri
Missionaries to the Chinese in NYC
Chinatown Outreach Ministry
534 56th Street , Brooklyn, NY 11220
Phone: 646-400-9831/ 347-463-9230 / Fax: 347-463-9230
E-mail: chinatownministry@yahoo.com www.chinatownoutreach.weebly.com