shamilla | Beyond

What Will the Team Do Now?

Apr 16, 2021 | Austronesia, Stories

*Ari, *Lukas, and *Andi traveled to the big city at the heart of their unreached people group. Once there, they had an unexpected encounter: they met a couple who were there to reach Muslims with the Good News. They even heard about a third person who might be there as a witness for Jesus!

The men told *Chad and *Tia, their partners and Beyond mission catalysts, the exciting news. “Praise God!” Chad says. “We’ve never run into anyone else focusing on this area.”

What will the team do now? The newcomers have likely been trained using traditional approaches that often bear little or no fruit. “We are certainly not experts and don’t claim to be,” says Chad, “but we are connected to many people who have seen great fruit using simpler and more reproducible disciple-making methods.”

The team is planning to come alongside and support the new workers. They hope to be able to equip, care for, and partner with them. Thanks to BEYOND donors whose support enables Kingdom building relationships like these. Please pray over their next steps. They want to do the Lord’s best, biblically and strategically, with wisdom and love.

*pseudonym

One Illness, 63 House Churches

Apr 10, 2021 | Stories

We first came to this area one year ago. At today’s meeting, Nishan, one of the local leaders, shared how he and his family became followers of Jesus last year.

Nishan’s wife had been very ill for a long time. They spared no expense looking for a cure. Nothing helped. Eventually, they lost everything – their savings, their home – all lost. The worst part was that his wife was still sick!

One day, in the midst of this desperate sadness, they had the opportunity to attend a nearby house church meeting. What they heard about Jesus thrilled their hearts. There was hope!

After some time, they put their trust in Jesus and his Kingdom. Then they wanted to know if they could start a church in their home. Of course! The disciples of Jesus were happy to show them how.

That was one year ago. Since then, Nishan and his wife have seen seven generations of disciples made and 63 house churches birthed!

The story above was part of a report from a movement leader in North India. If you are a Beyond donor, your generosity has played a part in this story!

*pseudonyms

Isa al-Masih Was Crucified and Resurrected

Apr 3, 2021 | Stories

*Joe was visiting his local partner, *Nia, and ministering in a community known to be hostile to the gospel when Sudi walked over.

“Can I share a story about Isa al-Masih (Jesus the Messiah) with you?” Joe asked.

*Sudi agreed, and Nia translated as Joe told him the story of Jesus calming the waters. Sudi said he knew the story, and he wanted to talk more. Joe then shared the story of Isa al-Masih being beaten, crucified, and resurrected from the dead.

“I know this story also, and I believe,” Sudi said. No one else knew he followed Isa.

That morning, Sudi had heard a voice in his heart tell him to go walk on the road because he would meet his “brothers.” When he obeyed, he immediately saw Joe and Nia and knew they were who God meant.

Nia said they should study the word of God together, and Sudi excitedly agreed. Nia promised to bring him a Bible. God had provided for Sudi.

Pray that Sudi will grow strong in his faith and for many in this remote village to follow Isa al-Masih.

Thank you, BEYOND donors! You have been a part of Sudi’s exciting journey.

*pseudonyms

Owning the Great Commission

Mar 27, 2021 | South Asia, Stories

The Banjara people of North India live bleak lives. They are impoverished. Illiterate. Unwelcomed within city limits. They live under “tents” of plastic sheeting, often next to open sewages. They eat the scraps that butchers can’t sell, and they are considered too low for any caste group to accept. Their lives are devoid of hope.

Then a disciple told one Banjara group about Jesus.

They now have hope and have been changed by the Holy Spirit in every way. They eat decent food. Many have built one-room homes of brick. They started a “school,” and their children are learning to read. Many have started micro-businesses. AND they are obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples of the lost.

Banjara house church leaders met recently to seek God for direction in reaching 3000 other Banjara families with the gospel this year. Though they are poor and mostly still illiterate, they are owning the Great Commission for themselves. They are dividing up the work and funding it from their own resources.

When people are discipled to Jesus — not Christian culture or church traditions — true transformation results. This is the Book of Acts in action.

WATCH OUR OWNING THE GREAT COMMISSION VIDEO

“Tell us: Why do you follow Jesus?”

Mar 20, 2021 | Stories

After discussing several Bible stories with *Rayyan in his shop, *Karly and *Julie asked if he had friends who might like to discuss Scripture outside of work hours. He did!

On the day of the scheduled meeting, Rayyan texted that 10 guys might come. Karly and Julie were worried. “How will this work in the public restaurant setting? Will these guys be okay with our topic or just want to debate?” The ladies prayed they would at least leave knowing who might be interested in studying further.

That night they were surprised to see 17 men present! An older man dove straight in with the first question: “Tell us: Why do you follow Jesus?”

Using lots of Scripture, Julie explained. Everyone listened. Some had questions, but there was no debating.

The ladies were amazed and reminded of Cornelius from Acts 10. After gathering people together, Cornelius addressed Peter: “Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” And Peter declared: “Jesus is the one all the prophets testified about… everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Pray these men would find and embrace the Truth they seek.

BEYOND donors, your support enables spiritual discussions just like this one in the story.

*pseudonyms