South Asia | Beyond

Vani’s Unseen Love

Jan 7, 2026 | South Asia, Stories

*Vani grew up deeply immersed in Bengali traditions, practicing idol worship and even witchcraft. After marrying, her husband became addicted to alcohol, and their home was consumed with constant fighting, bickering, and strife.

Overwhelmed with disappointment and grief, Vani left her husband and returned to her family. Yet even there, she found no relief—her days were marked by tears and despair over her broken marriage. In desperation, she cried out, “God, if You are real, please change my life.”

One day, while weeping, she suddenly heard a clear, audible voice: “I am Yeshu (Hindi for Jesus). Come close to Me.” She heard the voice again and again.

As time passed, Vani’s desire for idol worship and witchcraft completely faded—she grew to despise those practices. But she remained confused: Who is Yeshu? she wondered. When she asked others, someone finally explained, “Yeshu is the Christian God, Jesus.”

Determined to know Him, Vani began attending a traditional church service where she learned of His love. Six months ago, she placed her trust in Jesus. Since then, she has returned to Delhi to live with her husband. By God’s grace, his drinking has decreased, the fighting is less frequent, and he has found steady work.

Because the Christian community in Delhi is so small, *Jerusha, —our Indian teammate—was introduced to Vani through house church connections. Jerusha has begun discipling her, and Vani often shares that before, she knew nothing of Jesus, yet He called her with His own voice. She now calls Him her “Unseen Love”—the love she had longed for but never known, the love that has filled her life with peace and blessing.

Her faith is unwavering. She boldly declares, “Whatever happens, I will never leave Jesus.” Though she first encountered Him through a traditional church, Jerusha is excited to walk with her in learning the simple disciple-making model used in the Listening Movement—so that she, too, can share Jesus with her family.

Please pray:

For Jerusha’s boldness and wisdom as she disciples Vani.
For Vani’s faith to grow strong and remain steadfast through trials and persecution.
That Vani will boldly testify to how God called her, and that her transformed life will shine brightly as a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit.

*pseudonym

The Police Chief Demanded a Song

Dec 26, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

A BEYOND team was recently sitting with an Indian disciple-maker from the Bhojpuri network, asking questions as they measured the growth of a movement.

“How many churches have you started?” they asked.

The man—quiet, humble, almost hesitant—smiled. “Only 75.”

“And your team?”

“About 1500,” he replied. Many of those churches had already multiplied into four, five, and even more generations.

As the conversation deepened, the team learned this was not a story of polished leadership or formal training. It was a story of transformation.

Before following Jesus, the man said he had been a “dangerous robber.” As he spoke, he and the translator acted out firing a gun, a sobering reminder of the life he once lived. Fear had followed him then—wherever he went.

When he chose to follow Jesus, his community reacted with threats and pressure, demanding that he return to his former religion. Finally, he told them the truth: they did not really know what they were asking. If he went back, he warned, he would also return to being the dangerous man they once feared.

Remembering his past, they stopped pressing him so aggressively.

The opposition didn’t end there.

Not long ago, a police chief arrived at his home with several officers to arrest him for “converting” people—literally, for “changing the minds of others,” a serious crime. Calmly, the disciple-maker explained that he wasn’t converting anyone.

“I just sing songs about Jesus,” he said, “and tell stories about Jesus.”

The police chief was unconvinced. “Then sing,” he demanded.

So the disciple-maker picked up his small tambourine and sang a simple song about Jesus.

When the song ended, the police chief stood quietly for a moment. Then he said, “I feel such peace when you sing. I see no problem with what you are doing. You may continue to sing your songs and tell your stories.”

Please join us in praying that this man and the movement he helps lead will continue to multiply, starting many more generations of churches through simple obedience, courageous faith, and the quiet power of the gospel.

God Chose the Lowly

Nov 6, 2025 | Longer Reads, South Asia, Stories

by R.Rekedal Smith

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are. 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

In the early days of our ministry, we went to the town of D and did three or four days of training in the DMM (disciple-making movement) model of ministry. The roughly 20 attendees included people from a wide variety of backgrounds, ranging from well-educated and well-dressed to much less educated and humbly clothed.

A few weeks later, we returned to do a follow-up training with these believers. During the first two days of the second training, we noted a pattern of self-selection in the trainees’ seating. The educated and traditionally-trained pastors sat in the front, nicely-dressed and interactive, raising their hands in response to our questions. Another distinct group, less well-dressed, always sat quietly in the back and never raised their hands to respond to questions. We recognized them as low caste people and later learned that these trainees picked through trash for their livelihood.

We didn’t sense any animosity or negative feelings between the groups. Their self-selection and behavior matched the norms in this caste-oriented society. Those in each group knew their assumed place and played their expected role.

However, as we began asking trainees to tell us what God was doing in their ministry, we noticed a pattern in the stories. Both in one-on-one conversations and when we asked from the front for any ministry testimony from previous weeks, we saw a stark contrast. We recognized
that the poorly dressed trainees in back were the only ones reporting ministry fruit that reflected application of the DMM principles we had taught.

The nicely-dressed ones in the front, who had been very interactive and answered our questions, didn’t have any stories to share that actually showed they had applied the DMM pattern for making disciples. Meanwhile, the group of trash pickers had some exciting stories to share.

On the third day, my husband said, “We need to honor them; we need to bring them out of the back row to the front.” We brought them up to the front and he and I, along with many of the Indians in the room, washed their feet. It was a very precious moment.

So, the cultural norms were suddenly turned on their heads, based on the Kingdom value of fruitful obedience. The illiterate trash-pickers felt honored—both as fellow-members of God’s family and as God’s servants faithfully bearing witness to the gospel and seeing God work
through them. The Indians who had been seated in the front row also honored them, acknowledging that these brothers had the most notable fruit in ministry. That event had a huge impact on all of us—touching social, cultural, political, and religious values with a stunning
Kingdom perspective.

A 12-minute documentary, “Ordinary People,” describes the early growth of this movement and features some of these “ordinary” people. These low-caste, illiterate trash pickers became more fruitful than any of the most educated people in the room. These folks obeyed and experienced multiplying fruit—lots of fruit. God loves to use anyone who obeys, even those we might consider the least. Over time, they also learned how to read. The Lord taught them how to read, and improved their lives physically, even as they have continued to grow in Christ and serve him fruitfully.

R. Rekedal Smith and her family serve with BEYOND (beyond.org). Their application of DMM strategies in India has resulted in over 1 million house churches birthed from Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh background peoples.

Faith Over Fear

Oct 22, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

*Veer, a 12th-grade Hindu student in India, struggled academically. He felt mentally overwhelmed and had trouble remembering answers during exams. The pressure became so intense that he grew anxious and even began avoiding school. Fear of being called on in class and not knowing the answers eroded his confidence, affecting both his studies and his mental health.

While Veer was caught in this cycle of stress and discouragement, he noticed something different about a few of his classmates. Impressed by their progress, he asked them the key to their success.

To his surprise, they shared that they too had once struggled—but everything changed when they began praying to Jesus. “It is only by His grace,” they told him, “that we are now able to pass with good marks. Our Heavenly Father is faithful.” They shared James 1:5 with him: “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.”

Veer was moved by their testimony and asked them to pray for him. Soon after, he experienced a shift—his mind felt clearer, he could focus better, and a deep sense of peace filled him. He began to feel God’s presence and strength in a way he never had before.

With new confidence and determination, Veer not only improved in his studies but also opened his heart to Jesus. He accepted Christ as Lord and became a faithful follower. That year, he passed his 12th-grade exams with good marks. Today, Veer is preparing for India’s National Eligibility Test (similar to the MCAT in the U.S.), with hopes of continuing his education in the medical field.

Veer is grateful for the friends who pointed him to Jesus. Now, he shares his testimony with the other students in his household, encouraging them to seek wisdom and help from the Lord as well.

Please pray for Veer:

Pray for courage and boldness as he shares his new faith with his family and friends.
Pray for his continued spiritual growth.
Pray for success in his upcoming National Eligibility Test.

*pseudonyms

RELATED STORIES

THE LORD SAID, IT’S TIME!
Arjun* went to visit a house church near his village. As this dedicated disciple-maker walked read more …

BREAKING BARRIERS WITH THE GOSPEL
Sharitha* was the house helper of movement catalysts Ethan* and Nicole* while they lived in India. read more …

PASSING ON THE TORCH
*Sanjay, a partner in North India, shared this inspiring report about how young people share the gospel and make new disciples read more …

From Curiosity to Faith Amidst Persecution

Sep 29, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Disciples in India are facing an escalation of persecution. Stories have emerged of believers being expelled from their villages. To date there have been over 30 brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the gospel.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs both nationally and in many states, remains staunchly opposed to Christian activities, including the work of disciple-makers.

In Uttar Pradesh, the anti-converation laws have been frequently enacted, mandating life imprisonment for anyone caught converting others. Yet, despite these formidable challenges, the Kingdom of God continues to grow.

One such story of growth comes from the Listening Movement in India. In a community among the Banjara people—nomadic and of a low caste—women have begun experiencing the transformative power of the gospel. The Banjara, most of whom are illiterate, often find work in labor and transportation. For some time, these women observed Christians from a distance, their curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar way they prayed.

That curiosity deepened when they encountered female disciple-makers who prayed in ways that felt relatable. Seeing women like themselves gathered in prayer encouraged them to draw near. The disciple-makers shared Bible stories, welcoming and accepting them and gently opening the Banjara women’s hearts to the word of God.

Westerners commonly speak up and share their thoughts, but Indians, especially lower-caste women, find this far more difficult.

However, through the patient and persistent efforts of the disciple-makers, these women began to engage in prayer and discussion. Just two months later, they now meet regularly to study God’s word and pray.

Praise God for this group of women who long to know more about Jesus and obey His teachings. We thank God for the brave disciple-makers who faithfully shared their stories and testimonies, bringing the light of the gospel in the midst of persecution.

Please pray for the families of those who have surrendered their lives for the sake of the gospel.

GIVE TO HELP THE PERSECUTED

FAITH UNDER FIRE
Twenty-year-old *Ragbir was deeply passionate about spreading the gospel. He often preached in villages far from his own, despite opposition. read more

POISONED FOR MAKING IMPACT
Nadal’s life-changing impact had drawn opposition. A local drug dealer, angry about the growing number of transformed lives, … read more

WHEN TWO KINGDOMS COLLIDE
Persecution has been a common trial for many, if not most, of the movement churches in north India for the past ten years, but it has significantly …read more