ICM has partnered with indigenous ministries to build 6,000-plus church projects in 82 nations and distribute a free study of the entire Bible in more than 40 languages

Contact: Lisa Cherry, 757-848-5712

HAMPTON, Va., Aug. 31, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- International Cooperating Ministries (ICM), a nonprofit whose vision is a church within walking distance of every man, woman and child in our lifetime, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Started in 1986 by businessman Dois I. Rosser, Jr., founder of POMOCO, ICM has collaborated with indigenous ministry partners to build more than 6,000 churches for congregations in 82 countries. At no charge, ICM distributes the late Pastor Dick Woodward's Mini Bible College, a comprehensive Bible study available in more than 40 languages via apps, broadcast radio, Internet, audio players and print. With these two tools, the church building and a practical understanding of the Bible, congregations begin to address the social needs of people in their villages, providing vocational training, education, food, shelter, medical care and clean water.

Events marking ICM's 30th anniversary are scheduled to take place throughout the year, including the 2nd annual ICM Women's Conference, "God in the Crossroads: Signs of Hope," on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Williamsburg Community Chapel. We've invited New York Times bestselling author Ellen Vaughn to speak on her new book with ICM CEO Janice Allen. In addition, Morgan Perry, executive producer/producer of "Sex+Money: A National Search for Human Worth," will share segments of a new documentary called "Nefarious: Merchant of Souls." Carole Ward, Director of Favor of God Ministries, will share what God is doing in Uganda and South Sudan amidst unbelievable obstacles. Worship will be led by Anya King of Belarus.

Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and former Newport News Mayor Barry DuVal and former Newport News City Council Member and Vice Mayor Donald Patten, of Patten, Wornom, Hatten and Diamonstein, are co-chairing ICM's 30th Anniversary Gala, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20 at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News. The night will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, music by Broadway and opera vocalist Branch Fields and a complimentary self-guided tour of the USS Monitor Center. Tickets are $75. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. For more information on these events, call (757) 827-6704, email csimmons@icm.org or visit www.icm.org/events.

International Cooperating Ministries is a ministry of the Rosser Foundation, a public charity tax-exempt 501(c)(3), located at 1901 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, Virginia 23666-4311. For more information, visit www.icm.org.