Encoura(ger)

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.

From 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.

Connecting with Jesus Through Friendship, One Chapter at a Time

Despite the extreme effort and intentionality it cost her, Mariah remained committed to learning. 

Pivotal Days Ahead in the Global Fight for Rohingya Justice

Earlier this week, Bangladesh hosted a three-day gathering focused on the Rohingya crisis.

“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.

Hamza’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.

Impact Through English - Emilie's Story

Reunited with her husband, Antoinne, who had already been attending English classes at GoTEN, Emilie was eager to learn.

A 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.

Severe 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.

From 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.

What 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.

Three 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.

Chaos 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.

Growing 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.

How 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.

Empower 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.

Equipping 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.

Three Reasons You Should Join a Mission Trip in 2025

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.

Building 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.

Equipping Refugees to Share Hope

Training New Church Planters for Unreached Villages

From 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.

Be Still & Know

He makes wars cease, He breaks the bow, He shatters the spear, He is God, and He is with us.

True 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.

Futures 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.

Starting Over

Boman arrived in America from Afghanistan with nothing but a few belongings and a heart full of hope.

The 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.

Three 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.

Mobilizing the Local Church

GoTEN prioritizes connecting the church with opportunities to get educated, get locally involved, go, and get to work.

Open Your Door

Inviting someone into your home and showing hospitality, regardless of who they are, is a sign of mutual respect and care.

Just 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.

Ramadan

As followers of Christ, we can use Ramadan as a reminder to pray for our Muslim neighbors and friends.

Clues 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.

Preparing 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.

Three Ways to Pray: Myanmar

Here are three ways we can pray specifically for unreached people groups in Myanmar:

From 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.

A 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.

From 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!

From 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!

Three 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.

Thank 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.

Special Deliveries

These baskets of kitchen supplies and colorful bags of school supplies are a representation of the servant heart of Christ.

If 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.

Announcing GoTEN's Kids Program

The kids’ program is a place where children, like Remy, will be heard, valued and loved.

Three Ways to Pray: Afghanistan

Through our prayers, we can offer hope and comfort to our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.

From Refugee to Essential Employee

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.

Three Ways to Pray: Sudan

As Christians, we can pray for the people of Sudan in several ways.

Choose to Prepare

Maintaining resilience, however, and continuing to prepare for the moment might pay dividends when least expected.

Three 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.

Jesus Wept

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.

“Where are you, God?”

Each time thoughts and prayers go out, the thought undoubtedly comes back: “where are you, God?”

Shop Refugee Gaining Notoriety in Phoenix

Fox 10 in Phoenix recently covered Shop Refugee in the video story above.

GoTEN Visits Biola University

Internship spots are still available for Summer 2023!

Tea: The Drink of Afghan Friendship

It's not just about drinking tea; it's an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Connecting with Local Leaders

People need, and want in most cases, to be commissioned; to be pushed. This is one of the many jobs of a leader.

Discovering God's Will Through Delight

The Bible is filled with verses that talk about delighting in God and the importance of having a heart for Him.

Friends Near and Far

Pray that in their joy, they would then share those stories with their family members and friends, near and far.

Somali People

Consider what it would be like if you lived with circumstances such as Somalis do.

Afghan Adjustment Act Stalls, Leading to Uncertainty

An Open Letter to Our Encouragers

Through you, they see the love and commitment of a friend, someone who loves and follows Jesus, someone who is invested in their success.

Engaging 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.

Happening 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.

Black 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.

A 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.

A Seat at the Table

GoTEN offers sewing classes, free of charge, to many of these same women.

Not 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.

From 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.

Welcome Home.

Kindness often mean so much more to others than we could ever know, nor are they easily forgotten.

A 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”.

A 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!”

Thanksgiving 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.

Meet Pa Moe

It was almost 9:00am and the sewing students and encouragers had arrived at the Central site...

5 Ways To Care For A Missionary

How can I care for a missionary?

Meet Zach and Sarah Shilling

Zach and Sarah are an amazing young couple that volunteer their time twice a week teaching English classes...

5 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.

Language 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…

A 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.

Ask

Pray for Afghans