shamilla | Beyond

Early Morning Harvest

Sep 21, 2026 | South East Asia, Stories

The day starts early in Isaan villages. By 5 a.m. people are already out tending gardens, handling household chores, or simply gathering outside to talk. For Kome* and his wife, Yen*, this morning window has become their mission field.

Kome and Yen were mentored in how to share their faith, gather seekers, lead a participatory disciple-making group, and train new leaders. Though they are still relatively new disciples themselves, their obedience has never wavered. Each morning, Kome puts his sticky rice on to steam, then heads out for a prayer walk through the village. “I can’t live with myself if I don’t talk to someone about Jesus each day,” he says.

They stop to talk with neighbors along the way as the Spirit leads. When someone shows interest, Kome and Yen return for regular follow-up visits as their neighbors consider the gospel.

None of this is paid work. Kome and Yen receive no foreign salary. They simply love Jesus and take seriously their calling to pass that love on to others.

Their story is one small picture of a much larger movement: pairs of disciples heading out each week across Isaan, sharing the hope that everyone will eventually hear about Christ and that a church will take root in every sub-district.

Join us in giving thanks for Kome and Yen’s daily faithfulness. Pray that the new group Kome leads will grow in obedience and that the seekers still weighing their decision will commit their lives to the Lord. Finally, pray for the wider work across Isaan, that this daily faithfulness will multiply until every village has heard.

pseudonym*

What Did God Say About Racism?

Sep 16, 2026 | Stories

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Racism and prejudice are unacceptable to God, and casteism is racism to the extreme. Caste teaches that some people are simply better and more valuable than others. It is a huge issue that must be dealt with in movement churches.

North Indian movement leaders knew that new churches needed to learn from the Bible, not from them because only the Lord can touch a heart. So, they gave Raj, a movement trainer, a list of verses that addressed casteism, the equality of all people in God’s Kingdom, as well as who can take the Lord’s Supper.

Raj brought the scriptures to the new church leaders. They studied God’s Word and discussed what He said regarding casteism and the Lord’s Supper. Raj did not preach or teach. He prayed. He asked questions. Finally, the leaders concluded, “If I am in Jesus, I am no longer Brahmin (or whatever caste I was born into). I can either be a Brahmin or in Jesus, but I cannot be both. If that’s the option, I want to be in Jesus!”

Then, the leaders did something rarely seen. They apologized without attempting to save face or defend themselves. They said “I am sorry; I was wrong” to Raj AND to their disciples. For the leaders to own the wrongs they had done, and then to apologize, not just to one considered “above” themselves (Raj), but also to people who look up to them was astounding.

But they went further. After apologizing, the leaders gathered multiple churches with mixed caste-background people and everyone took communion together!

God broke through their natural filter of casteism and into their hearts and minds by His Word alone. Hebrews 4:12 says:
“For the word of God is living and active and full of power. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart (AMP).

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Yom Kippur

Sep 16, 2026 | Festivals and Holidays, NAME

Yom Kippur (September 21), the Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year. It concludes the Ten Days of Awe, which begin with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Together, these days call for honest reflection—looking back in repentance for past sins and looking ahead to a new year cleansed and renewed.

We hear of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus (16:29), underscoring its profound importance. On this day, both the high priest and the people had roles to play. The priest performed sacrifices of atonement while the people refrained from work and humbled themselves before the Lord.

Leviticus 16 outlines the high priest’s unique responsibilities. Clothed in white linen as a sign of purity, he would enter the Holy of Holies with offerings: a bull for his household and a goat for the sins of the people. A second goat—the scapegoat—was symbolically burdened with the sins of Israel and sent into the wilderness, signifying removal of guilt and cleansing of the community.

Even today, observant Jews prepare for Yom Kippur by spending the Ten Days of Awe seeking reconciliation with others. The belief is clear: one must be right with one’s neighbor in order to be right with God. This reflects the commandments to love God wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 6:5) and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18)—commandments Jesus also affirmed again in Mark 12:30–31.

Traditions include sharing a meal before the fast begins, lighting memorial candles for deceased parents, and observing a 25-hour period of fasting and abstinence. According to Jewish law, this “self-denial” includes refraining from eating, drinking, bathing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. These practices create space for prayer, repentance, and deep dependence on God’s mercy.

At its heart, Yom Kippur is a day of humility and hope—an invitation to turn from sin, repair relationships, and seek forgiveness from the God who cleanses His people.

HOW TO PRAY FOR DURING THIS HOLIDAY:

Pray that Jewish people observing Yom Kippur would experience God’s presence in a profound and personal way.

Pray that as they seek forgiveness and renewal, they would encounter the fullness of God’s mercy and grace.

Pray for peace and reconciliation within families and communities during this sacred season.

Pray that Jewish people seeking forgiveness and peace with God would encounter the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, our Messiah.

Pray for softened hearts to recognize God’s everlasting covenant love and His provision of redemption through Jesus.

Pray that Jewish families and communities would experience the presence of God in a personal and transformative way.

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Good News on the Move

Sep 10, 2026 | South Asia, Stories

Remember Raj*, a first-generation disciple who has faithfully started Discovery Bible Groups in multiple villages? One of those villages is home to Peter and his family, who have been listening to Bible stories.

Peter’s* father-in-law, Uziel* came to visit Peter and his wife. Noticing Peter’s growing interest in this new thing, Uziel asked what he was listening to. Peter shared joyfully, “Ever since I started hearing these stories, I’ve felt peace, joy, and happiness like never before. It’s as if light is entering my life. If you want to listen too, you can—and you’ll be blessed.”

Uziel’s heart was stirred. He asked to take an MP3 player with the stories back to his village, 28 miles away.

Once home, Uziel began listening to the stories with his family. The first two stories moved them so deeply that he couldn’t keep them to just him and his family. He immediately began sharing what he had heard with others. Within just a few days, three more families expressed a desire to know more about this unfamiliar God—Jesus.

Now, through the joyful witness of Peter and Uziel, the good news is spreading rapidly. God is opening hearts and drawing people to Himself, one village, one story, and one family at a time.

*pseudonym

Women in India Fearlessly Sharing the Gospel

Sep 3, 2026 | South Asia, Stories

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The Listening Movement held its first Women Leaders meeting where several women gathered to learn, share and encourage each other. These stories are the fruit of that meeting.

Mahima* was already a dedicated disciple-maker before attending the meetings, but something in her heart shifted afterward. She works as a government-employed bus driver, but spends her free time leading Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) with new families. She started a DBS with three women in one village, and since then she has helped establish 46 house churches, and 146 people have received baptism because of Mahima’s Bible studies. She is driven by the belief that access to God’s word and obedience to the Scriptures is what transforms lives.

Another leader, Daya*, encouraged his wife, Shanvi*, to step into the Lord’s work. At first, Shanvi was hesitant, feeling nervous about speaking in front of large groups. She shared, “When I meet with people personally and talk to them, I can work better.” This personal approach has proven to be highly effective for her. Staying within their state, Shanvi connects with women, conducts Discovery Bible Studies, and shares Bible stories. By meeting one-on-one, she shares the Word in a way that resonates deeply with those she encounters. Shanvi has connected with 97 women from nine different villages in her state, spreading the Good News. She travels to meet people and desires that everyone come to know the Lord, which is why she dedicates much time to each woman.

Radhika* works alongside her husband to spread the gospel, undeterred by the challenges they face. The couple has endured significant persecution for their ministry, having been captured two or three times by members of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a militant right-wing Hindu nationalist organization in India) and physically assaulted on at least one occasion. They’ve also received death threats warning them to cease their work. Despite these dangers, they remain steadfast in their mission.

Radhika oversees 96 house churches and collaborates with 17 women leaders, whom she trains and meets with monthly. She reaches out to those troubled by demonic oppression, struggling with addiction, and women suffering from domestic abuse. She actively seeks out such families, offering prayers and sharing the Lord’s message. Her work primarily focuses on low-caste nomadic communities, where she brings hope and the Good News of Jesus.

Shakila* was once shy and fearful, convinced that sharing the Good News of Jesus was beyond her ability. However, after attending a women’s training session and receiving encouragement from her husband, everything changed. Now, Shakila goes from home to home in her village, inviting others to listen to Bible stories and engaging them through Discovery Bible Studies. She currently oversees 28 DBS groups, and seven of the families she has discipled have been baptized.

Pray for Mahima, Shanvi, Radhika, Shakila, and others who courageously share the Good News despite the constant threat of arrest, physical assault, and even death.

*pseudonym