Gospel Balloons

The balloon project is an example of the creativity of believers living near the North Korean border who longed to get the salvation message to their neighbors. Four months out of the year, when the winds are just right, a small church faithfully releases balloons carrying the gospel.

Your partnership with Alpha Relief has allowed this simple and effective method to grow from the first 500 balloons purchased to the release of thousands of balloons annually.

 On a cold dark moonless night a group of men travel a winding bumpy dirt road. They push and pull a cart containing unusual cargo in this out of the way place. Nestled within are newly refilled helium cylinders, packed carefully to reduce any noise from the cart bouncing along. With purpose and patience they navigate their way, it takes four men just to keep the cart on track. Hours away through woods and over hills lay their destination, an old shack near an international border. Here they will carry out their mission.

The helium tanks are heavy, almost the size and definitely the weight of a man. They strain to unload them from the cart and carry them into the shed.

They work quickly and quietly, filling large orange square balloons with helium.

The men continue until the ceiling is covered with balloons, and then stop to take them outside for release. It is the right time of year for the prevailing winds to blow over the border into the neighboring country. The entire gospel of Mark and a prayer for salvation is printed on both sides of the balloons. They watch with joy as the balloons float away into the night sky and pray for those who will find these simple bearers of the Good News drifting into a hostile and oppressive North Korea.

These men understand redemption, hope, and the faithfulness of a God who sought them out. Rehabilitated drug addicts, they humbly serve to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. A small church with a large vision embraced them and called them into service. And so they walk the many miles in the dead of night, on a path that is not easy, filled with gratitude and joyful purpose.

To donate to the Balloon Project, click here.