South Asia | Beyond

Faith Under Fire

May 28, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Twenty-year-old *Ragbir was deeply passionate about spreading the gospel. He often preached in villages far from his own, despite opposition. In one such village, the elders warned him never to return. Uncertain of what to do next, Ragbir sought counsel from his coach and mentor.

Encouraged, Ragbir returned to the village and managed to meet with the elder who had most strongly opposed him. Miraculously, they reached an agreement allowing him to continue his ministry there.

For two months, this peace held. But one day, during a Bible study at Ragbir’s home, attended by his family and fellow believers, the same elder from the village arrived with others. They stormed the house, launching a violent attack. Ragbir and his family, along with the other disciples, were brutally beaten. The police, fearing political backlash from Hindu leaders, refused to intervene.

The attackers struck from behind, giving the disciples no chance to defend themselves. Ragbir sustained a severe head injury and lost consciousness. His mother, wife, brother, sister, and even his young children were among the nine injured in the assault.

Several months later, Ragbir succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a wife and two children under the age of five. His family has since been expelled from the village. Ragbir was a devoted father and a committed member of the movement, sharing stories of faith and walking faithfully alongside his brothers and sisters in Christ.

This loss has shaken the 18 house churches in the area. Please pray for his wife, still recovering from her injuries, and the rest of his family. Movement leaders in India are in touch with them and are providing financial support as needed. The Listening Movement reports a heartbreaking reality: in 2024, 11 disciples have been martyred. This sobering statistic reflects the intense challenges faced by believers in India. May God strengthen His disciples and bring comfort to Ragbir’s family during their time of profound grief.

*pseudonyms

GIVE TO HELP THE PERSECUTED

MISSIONS IN A DANGEROUS WORLD
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that life will get worse with all kinds of natural and human disasters. People will be handed over to be persecuted, …. 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

A Mule for the Gospel

May 21, 2025 | South Asia, Stories, Tibetan-Himalayan

*Joel has trekked deep into the mountains to reach Tazig villages for 14 years. His team loads up horses, mules, or dzos (a yak-cow hybrid) with tents, sleeping bags, food, and equipment, letting these animals shoulder the weight of the journey.

These days, Joel says he feels more like a mule! In August 2023, a shipment of 2,112 New Testaments—totaling 3,090 pounds (1,408 kg)—arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, from a printer in East Asia. Each New Testament weighs approximately 1.5 lbs.

Getting these Bibles into the Tazig region of South Asia has proved challenging. Printing the New Testaments locally was an option, but finding a printer that could produce high-quality copies proved difficult. Instead, the team’s best option was to bring 2,112 New Testaments from Bangkok to K city by hand. Colleagues in South Asia have helped by carrying a few copies back after conferences in Thailand, but Joel has taken on most of the load himself. During every trip to South Asia, he stops in Bangkok, picks up two boxes (about 70 pounds or 32 kg), and carries them onward.

On his way home, he’ll bring back another box to store in Malaysia for future trips. Currently, Joel is en route to South Asia, sending this update from the airport with 70 pounds of Bibles in his luggage, jokingly calling himself “the mule”—stubborn and loaded down.

So far, the team has moved around 900 New Testaments from Thailand, with roughly 700 copies reaching South Asia and 200 stored in Malaysia. Seven hundred copies are more than the current number of Tazig believers, but Joel and his team trust this will change. Join us in praying that the trickle of new disciples will become a flood as Tazig people come rushing into the Kingdom of God. We give thanks for the “mules” who work tirelessly so that ALL can have the opportunity to hear the Good News.

*pseudonyms

YOU CAN’T SAY YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN
He shared Scripture with them, prayed for them, and shared his life day by day. They could see the positive changes in his life. read more …

CULTURAL OUTSIDERS AND INSIDERS
In every movement documented, God has used the combined strengths of cultural outsiders and insiders to catalyze the movements. read more …

NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
As Joel* worked to edit the next portion of the Bible translation, he was struck by the words from the book of James read more …

From Fear to Freedom

May 15, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

*Sanjay and his brother recently traveled to Haryana to meet with some key leaders, gathering at *Laksha’s home. Laksha, who is from a high caste, has been an active disciple-maker within the movement for about six years. She and her team are witnessing remarkable growth, particularly among high caste individuals and women. In her district, there are around 36 house churches.

During the meeting, Laksha shared that it’s easy to assume that people from high castes are proud and resistant to the gospel. However, when she encounters those who have become disciples of Jesus, she sees how deeply God has transformed their lives. Before knowing Jesus, their lives were difficult, marked by fear and uncertainty. Laksha and her team invested months of effort, often visiting these homes for eight or nine months, continually sharing the gospel, casting vision, and leading Discovery Bible Studies.

Now, these new believers have found truth and peace in God’s Word. Laksha shared how she encouraged them to disciple others, and now they are spreading the gospel themselves.

Laksha also told the story of Suresh, a man from a nearby village. His family had been tormented by a demon, causing great strife in their home. Laksha prayed over the family multiple times in the name of Jesus, and eventually, they were delivered. Despite the villagers’ skepticism, with some even saying, “What can Jesus do? He can’t help or heal this man,” Jesus answered Laksha’s prayers. The demon left, and Suresh and his family were restored. Since then, seven new house churches have emerged in that village, with many of the former skeptics being baptized.

*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 …

WOMEN IN INDIA …
*Mahima was already a dedicated disciple-maker before attending the meetings, but something in her heart read more …

Passing on the Torch of Faith

Apr 30, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

*Sanjay, a partner in North India, shared this inspiring report about how young people share the gospel and make new disciples in his context.

Our focus for the last year has been on equipping young leaders (ages 18-30) to actively engage in ministry. These leaders fall into four distinct categories, each bearing fruit in unique ways:

College Students (all castes and degrees):
These student leaders start Bible studies and house churches on their campuses. They boldly share the message of Jesus with their classmates, living out their faith by “sharing as they go” each day. Through their obedience, they create disciples among their peers.
Day Laborers (illiterate or semi-literate):
Among working youth, Bible studies and house churches are springing up in fields, chai stalls, and even while shepherding goats. They share stories about Jesus during their daily routines, “demonstrating that anyone, regardless of education, can participate in the Great Commission.
Music: Music is a common cultural thread in many parts of India. Musically inclined youth gather for jam sessions that often begin with a simple prayer. Over time, they incorporate bhajan-style worship, singing Psalms in a call-and-response format. These sessions deepen relationships, spark prayers for others, and lead to Bible studies. Many house churches have been birthed through this creative and relational approach.
Sports: Parks and playgrounds become mission fields as youth gather to play sports like badminton, cricket, and football (soccer). Before each game, they pray for strength and safety, which intrigues their Hindu friends. These simple prayers open doors for conversations about Jesus. Over time, Hindu players ask for prayers and even learn to pray themselves, leading to deeper spiritual exploration and eventually Bible studies. This simple yet effective strategy has also resulted in new house churches.

What incredible news! These young leaders are living out the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, taking up the call to make disciples of all nations. The torch of faith is being passed to the next generation, and they are carrying it boldly and faithfully.

*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 …

WOMEN IN INDIA …
*Mahima was already a dedicated disciple-maker before attending the meetings, but something in her heart read more …

Poisoned for Making Impact

Apr 24, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Nadal served in Rishikesh alongside a local leader and comes from the saphera (snake charmer) caste. A few years before, he struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs, but through Jesus, he found freedom and transformation.

Since then, Nadal had become a remarkable leader. He established over 150 house churches. His ministry led many in his community to Christ, breaking free from addictions and destructive lifestyles.

However, Nadal’s life-changing impact had drawn opposition. A local drug dealer, angry about the growing number of transformed lives, lured Nadal to his home under false pretenses. He pretended to congratulate him for his changed life. Instead, the dealer served Nadal poisoned food, leaving him hospitalized in critical condition for many weeks before Nadal passed away. This brings the number of martyrs in India up to 12 for 2024.

Please pray for strength and peace for Nadal’s family. Pray that they would remain steadfast in their faith. Please also pray for the Timothys and house churches Nadal has mentored, that they would continue to stand bold and unshaken in their mission. Finally, let’s lift up his persecutor in prayer, that just as Saul became Paul, this man too would encounter the living Jesus and be transformed into a powerful witness for the Kingdom.

As Paul once wrote in the face of persecution: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

*pseudonyms

MISSIONS IN A DANGEROUS WORLD
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that life will get worse with all kinds of natural and human disasters. People will be handed over to be persecuted, …. read more

WHEN PERSECUTION BECOMES CELEBRATION
In the 2001 persecution, one group of believers received threats that they would be forced to reconvert to Hinduism … 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