Who We Are
Ordinary people willing to use our gifts, prayers, time and financial blessings to love abused women, orphans and widows, by helping them learn a skill, learn the Bible, and pray for one another.
CASMI's mission and vision is:
To come alongside the indigenous church people with training, prayer, and equipping tools, so that they can build strong discipleship programs for women and children. A sewing course is a safe place to build rich relationships of trust and hope while learning life-changing skills..
Each Sewing Class involves:
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Scripture prayer for one another
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Bible study and Biblical encouragement
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Unity of the body of Christ through deep relationships.
What we Believe
We believe that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God and without mistakes as originally written. It is the complete revelation of His will for salvation and the only unfailing rule of faith and practice for the Christian life.
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and that those three are co-eternal and of equal dignity and power.
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit; His virgin birth; His sinless life; His substitutionary death on the cross; His bodily resurrection; His ascension to the right hand of the Father; and His personal imminent return.
We believe that man was created by and for God; that by man’s disobeying God, every person incurred spiritual death, which is separation from God, and physical death as a consequence; and that all people are sinners by nature and practice.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins and all who trust in Him are declared righteous because of His sacrificial death and are, therefore, in right relationship with God.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit indwelling all believers and thus enabling and empowering the life and ministry of the believer.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of everyone who has lived, the everlasting blessedness of those in the right relationship with God, and the everlasting punishment of those who have rejected God’s forgiveness in His Son.
Used by permission of Stonebriar Community Church,
Chuck Swindoll, Pastor, Frisco Texas, July 2002
So Many Behind the Story
All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it.
Corinthians 12:27
CASMIprays team and CASMIgiving team
The mission of CASMI is done by God's people from everywhere. CASMI team around the world is deeply grateful for the partnership of prayers and giving hearts of so many of you.
None of the stories on this website could be told without the many servants behind the scenes. I hope you find yourself in the story on this webpage, because it is God's story, not ours, to tell! Thank you all. We are humbled and honored to serve with each of you!
Founders - Steve and Kathie Arnold
Steve and Kathie have always had a passion for mission, yet they never imagined or planned anything like CASMI. It just came out of their life story! Steve and Kathie were married in 1972, supported missions, raised 4 children, and now have 14 grandchildren. Kathie and their oldest daughter went on their first mission trip to the former Soviet Union in 1991. Upon returning home from that trip, Kathie began a sewing school from their home. Ten years after that first mission trip, Steve and Kathie were asked by another ministry to use their life experiences to return to Russia, to investigate how to bring the gospel to orphans through sewing classes in state-run orphanages. They saw a need, were encouraged to go forward, and in 2003 CASMI became an official not-for-profit 501(c)(3). Each story and photo shared on this website is a story that has come from their willingness to go. They pray that their story of obedience will inspire you to use your gifts from God, life experiences, and resources for Kingdom work. Steve spent his career in health care and Kathie as a full-time mom, entrepreneur and teacher. Steve and Kathie are members of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
Ordinary lives used and blessed by God.
Board Members - Laura and Ron Martin
Ron and Laura live in Elkhart, Kansas. Ron visited Albania before Laura did. He loved the country and the people so much
he returned with his family in 2012. Kathie and Laura met in 2012, and they learned of their mutual love and passion to
serve in Albania. Laura is a quilter and runs a quilt shop in Elkhard, Kansas (her dream job). Ron works for an IT company.
As a business owner, Laura has traveled many more times to Albania with Kathie to encourage and help sewing students
who have set up their own businesses and "sew" much more.
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Board Members - Gary and Susan Bauer
Gary and Susan Bauer have worked together on international projects advancing the Gospel since 1986. They produce videos and teach video skills through their company, Alpha Video Productions. Susan enjoys sewing, crafts, writing, reading, and uses CASMI's zipper purse to share her testimony. Gary enjoys video and still photography, including drones, and editing. Together, they create video stories of people's lives changed by Jesus Christ, and are glad to serve CASMI as board members. They have personally visited CASMI projects in both Albania and Ukraine, multiple times. The Bauers are active at Lake Ridge Bible Church in Mesquite, Texas, have been married over 46 years, with two married daughters and 8 grandchildren.
Country Leaders
CASMI is a ministry that goes where God leads them and builds relationships that will lead the outreach in each country. Each project or sewing course is led by leaders from their country. CASMI equips and trains, mentors and encourages, plus provides funds, but does not lead or teach the actual sewing classes. Each outreach is led by tailors and Bible study leaders from each country. It is a work of God's people from all nations.
Moms in Prayer
The ministry of Moms in Prayer is woven through each CASMI location and story. CASMI founder Kathie Arnold began praying for her children through this ministry in 1988. She has encouraged moms in many countries where CASMI has visited. Now a grandmother of 14, she sees the power of prayer and continues to share why scripture prayer is so important for us all. In 1991, Kathie and her oldest daughter shared the ministry in the former Soviet Union with pastors and moms, while on a mission trip together. Throughout the 18 years of CASMI, Moms in Prayer leaders from countries where CASMI serves have re-connected through many God appointments! In 2015, the Moms in Prayer booklet was translated into Albanian, and in 2019 the leaders' guide will be available in the Albanian language to encourage more moms to pray for their children and their schools. The prayers of so many MIPI moms around the world enjoy praying for one another.
Keep praying!
If this ministry is new to you, please learn more at their website: momsinprayer.org
