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Meeting Needs (On Purpose)
James arrived in Phoenix from Africa with very little English. Like many refugees, he was trying to navigate a new culture, build a new life, and communicate in a language he barely knew.
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Meet the neighbors, volunteers, field workers, and communities showing what local welcome and global mission look like in real life.
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The Middle - A Different Angle on Global Unrest
There is always a middle; always a vulnerable population subjected to the brutal realities of violent conflict.
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GoTEN recently had the pleasure of hosting a team of visitors from a partner church in Texas, who spent a week folding into team life and serving refugees at our training center in Phoenix.
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As we get back to work building community among refugees in our neighborhood, GoTEN would like to invite you in as well!
Read story"You have a friend with a truck."
For Dale, success came in identifying something that he brought to the table, trusting God to use it to benefit the Kingdom, and taking the step needed to allow this resource to be put to use.
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The Hebrew word ger means “stranger” or “sojourner,” and God calls His people to love the ger as themselves. This shirt celebrates our volunteers who give courage to the stranger.
Read storyFrom Here to There
Maeson’s journey from serving in Phoenix to leading global trips captures GoTEN’s vision: start here, go there, and follow wherever God leads.
Read storyConnecting with Jesus Through Friendship, One Chapter at a Time
Despite the extreme effort and intentionality it cost her, Mariah remained committed to learning.
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Earlier this week, Bangladesh hosted a three-day gathering focused on the Rohingya crisis.
Read story“Learning, Working, Hoping: Bikeyombe’s Lifeline”
When Bikeyombe arrived in the U.S. earlier this year, he was eager to get started — but learning English was his first mountain to climb.
Read storyHamza’s Story: The Power of a “Yes”
Everything felt unfamiliar, and the only way he knew to express himself was through crying. But our teachers, with patience and love, made him feel safe.
Read storyImpact Through English - Emilie's Story
Reunited with her husband, Antoinne, who had already been attending English classes at GoTEN, Emilie was eager to learn.
Read storyA Meal, a Story, and the Hope of Jesus
In a remote refugee camp near the Syrian border, a shared meal, a child’s bracelet, and the story of Zacchaeus opened hearts to Jesus—showing that transformation is just a conversation away.
Read storySevere Humanitarian Crisis Remains Ongoing in Myanmar
As always, we are asking for urgent prayer for our friends and teammates in Myanmar, and for the region as a whole.
Read storyFrom Boxes to Belonging
Thank you, GCU City Serve, for opening the door to so many of these moments. Your gifts are more than physical items—they are seeds of dignity, hope, and transformation.
Read storyWhat is The Grid and Why Does it Matter?
Functioning similarly to an actual power grid supplying a customer field with electricity, The Grid is GoTEN’s community of monthly donors who provide steady, dependable support for our Training Center.
Read storyThree Ways to Pray: Turkey
Home to over 85 million people, the majority of whom are Muslim, Turkey has a rich Islamic heritage that permeates daily life and culture.
Read storyChaos Continues in the DRC; Urgent Prayer Needed
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has recently highlighted the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the eastern regions of North and South Kivu.
Read storyGrowing While Serving Refugees as an Intern
Each year, a number of young adults choose to spend their summer as part of the GoTEN team, living within the refugee community, volunteering in GoTEN’s refugee outreach programs, and shadowing experienced team members as they do life with their refugee friends.
Read storyHow Short-Term Trips Can Change Your Life and Theirs
Embarking on a short-term mission trip offers profound opportunities for personal growth and meaningful impact on the communities served.
Read storyEmpower Refugees Through Arizona’s Tax Credit Program: Support GoTEN
The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit program allows taxpayers to donate to qualifying charitable organizations and receive a tax credit of up to $400 for individuals and $800 for couples filing jointly.
Read storyEquipping Local Believers in Distant Places
For over a decade, GoTEN has been involved in ministry in Myanmar, a journey that began when Burmese refugees in Arizona introduced us to their friends and family back home. Since then, we’ve trained hundreds of church planters and supported the work of four indigenous believers who now serve as GoTEN missionaries.
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GoTEN has multiple exciting trips planned to visit both familiar and new locations in 2025! These trips will deepen your understanding of cross-cultural ministry while also providing lasting encouragement to those in need.
Read storyBuilding Bridges Across Continents
Aisha's journey from refugee to bridge-builder exemplifies GoTEN's mission. Through her connection, GoTEN reached her remote homeland, fostering hope and transformation. Your support extends beyond Phoenix, impacting lives globally.
Read storyFrom 0% to Discipleship
In 2022, GoTEN began engaging a previously unreached people group in Phoenix through English classes and home visits. By 2024, this initiative expanded to Asia with a new language school, fostering small discipleship groups among thousands. Your support has been pivotal in transforming lives and spreading hope globally.
Read storyBe Still & Know
He makes wars cease, He breaks the bow, He shatters the spear, He is God, and He is with us.
Read storyTrue Friendships That Impact Lives for Women in the Refugee Community
ShopRefugee is an accessible job training program that allows busy mothers to increase their employability.
Read storyFutures Changed
Fareed, a young refugee, joined GoTEN's Kids’ Program in May 2023, initially speaking only a few words. With dedicated support, he now speaks in full sentences, recognizes the alphabet, and counts to thirty. His progress has uplifted his family, enabling his mother to focus on her own English studies.
Read storyStarting Over
Boman arrived in America from Afghanistan with nothing but a few belongings and a heart full of hope.
Read storyThe Impact of a Summer in Phoenix
The goal behind GoTEN’s internship program is to provide young, motivated servants the opportunity to learn and grow under experienced guidance and get their first taste of cross-cultural ministry.
Read storyThree Ways to Pray: China
Through our prayers, we can stand in solidarity with the church in China and trust that God will work miracles in their midst.
Read storyMobilizing the Local Church
GoTEN prioritizes connecting the church with opportunities to get educated, get locally involved, go, and get to work.
Read storyOpen Your Door
Inviting someone into your home and showing hospitality, regardless of who they are, is a sign of mutual respect and care.
Read storyJust Go
Short-term mission trips offer valuable experiences without long-term commitments. Common concerns—such as cost, qualifications, and potential disruption—are addressed by GoTEN, emphasizing that anyone can participate. Opportunities include both international and local missions in Phoenix, allowing individuals to engage in cross-cultural ministry and support global workers.
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As followers of Christ, we can use Ramadan as a reminder to pray for our Muslim neighbors and friends.
Read storyClues at the Front Door
Enjoy these practical tips to help you transition from neighbor to friend as you visit their home and share life together.
Read storyPreparing for the Next Refugee Wave
While resettlement presently appears far from hitting peak numbers, “the next wave” is almost inevitable. The time for the Church to prepare is now.
Read storyThree Ways to Pray: Myanmar
Here are three ways we can pray specifically for unreached people groups in Myanmar:
Read storyFrom Neighbor to Friend to Family: Part 3 of a 3 Part Series
Significant time and investment is necessary, but achieving this level of friendship is truly one of life’s greatest honors.
Read storyA Christmas Story: Jesus, The Refugee Kid
As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember that the story of Jesus is also a story about refugees, and a reminder that we must stand in solidarity with those who find themselves displaced, vulnerable and oppressed.
Read storyFrom Neighbor to Friend to Family: Part 2 of a 3 Part Series
Friendship is a bond between two people, commonly developed through shared interests or experiences. Find out how to go from neighbor to friend!
Read storyFrom Neighbor to Friend to Family: Part 1 of a 3 Part Series
God is very clear about how He desires the people of His kingdom to welcome their neighbors. GoTEN is intentional about creating an environment that is welcoming to newly arrived neighbors and invites you to be part of it!
Read storyThree Ways to Pray: Thailand
Praying for unreached people groups in Thailand is a powerful way to participate in God's mission to reach the nations. Through our prayers, we can ask for open doors, effective leaders, and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform hearts and minds.
Read storyThank You, Cheerful Givers!
GoTEN has so many faithful, cheerful supporters that work in unison to help provide for the organization in its work among unreached people groups. We want to thank Jan and Chuy Martinez for coordinating a fundraising campaign with the congregation at Circle of Peace Church.
Read storySpecial Deliveries
These baskets of kitchen supplies and colorful bags of school supplies are a representation of the servant heart of Christ.
Read storyIf the World Was a Waffle
What does a waffle have to do with missions? This 4 minute video will make you think about missions every time you eat a waffle.
Read storyAnnouncing GoTEN's Kids Program
The kids’ program is a place where children, like Remy, will be heard, valued and loved.
Read storyThree Ways to Pray: Afghanistan
Through our prayers, we can offer hope and comfort to our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.
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Students in our sewing classes are working hard to prepare for the day that another full time position opens, and would love to have your help.
Read storyThree Ways to Pray: Sudan
As Christians, we can pray for the people of Sudan in several ways.
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Maintaining resilience, however, and continuing to prepare for the moment might pay dividends when least expected.
Read storyThree Ways to Pray: Rohingya People
As Christians, we can pray for their protection, healing, and restoration, as well as for justice and peace to prevail.
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Just as Jesus felt for his friends, made time for them, and shared in their loss, our staff stepped up to do the same for their friend.
Read story“Where are you, God?”
Each time thoughts and prayers go out, the thought undoubtedly comes back: “where are you, God?”
Read storyShop Refugee Gaining Notoriety in Phoenix
Fox 10 in Phoenix recently covered Shop Refugee in the video story above.
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It's not just about drinking tea; it's an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company.
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People need, and want in most cases, to be commissioned; to be pushed. This is one of the many jobs of a leader.
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The Bible is filled with verses that talk about delighting in God and the importance of having a heart for Him.
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Pray that in their joy, they would then share those stories with their family members and friends, near and far.
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Consider what it would be like if you lived with circumstances such as Somalis do.
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Through you, they see the love and commitment of a friend, someone who loves and follows Jesus, someone who is invested in their success.
Read storyEngaging the Next Generation
GoTEN staff members had the opportunity on Monday to share with students about international trips happening in 2023, as well as local opportunities to serve refugees in Phoenix.
Read storyHappening Today: Global Prayer for the Rohingya
Please consider spending some time today asking God to bless the Rohingya as they make homes in exile, to bring peace to the Rakhine State, and to reveal His kingdom of heaven as their ultimate eternal home.
Read storyBlack Friday
Black Friday carries a positive connotation in American culture, but has an entirely different, much more gruesome nature to the Rohingya people of Myanmar.
Read storyA Citizen at Last: Mod's Story
GoTEN’s greatest hope for its staff, volunteers and students is that while learning and teaching English, they would be able to develop lasting friendships that grow into experiencing true community together.
Read storyA Seat at the Table
GoTEN offers sewing classes, free of charge, to many of these same women.
Read storyNot Just Another Walk in the Park
On May 21st at Mountain View Park, GoTEN had a unique opportunity to serve some of its refugee students that are currently living in temporary housing at a hotel.
Read storyFrom Student to Friend
One of a teacher’s greatest challenges is the transition from the student-teacher relationship to the friend-friend relationship. A natural connection makes the difficulties of learning this difficult language much less discouraging.
Read storyWelcome Home.
Kindness often mean so much more to others than we could ever know, nor are they easily forgotten.
Read storyA Mile in His Shoes
When many refugees arrive in the United States, they feel as though few people they meet have “walked a mile in their shoes”.
Read storyA Helping Hand That Sparks Community
GoTEN strives to equip people to love their neighbors, helping legally resettled refugees learn English, get jobs and experience Christian community. Sometimes it all starts with “yes, I can help!”
Read storyThanksgiving in Dallas
In November, the GoTEN Dallas team was able to host a Thanksgiving party for its students, volunteers, and their families at its English classroom.
Read storyMeet Pa Moe
It was almost 9:00am and the sewing students and encouragers had arrived at the Central site...
Read storyMeet Zach and Sarah Shilling
Zach and Sarah are an amazing young couple that volunteer their time twice a week teaching English classes...
Read story5 Keys to a Successful Home Visit
Discover five essential keys for building deeper friendships with refugees through home visits: pray, observe, embrace silence, accept hospitality, and share stories.
Read storyLanguage Barriers
I can't go in there! I don't speak their language. I won't be able to teach English to someone who doesn't speak it. Maybe I need to take a rain check…
Read storyA Voice for the Voiceless
Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Read storyBecome part of the story