Stories | Beyond

When Tradition Meets Jesus

Jun 3, 2026 | South East Asia, Stories

Each April, communities across Thailand welcome the Thai New Year, widely known as Songkran, a Sanskrit word meaning “passage of the sun.” It is traditionally a time of renewal. Homes are cleaned, Buddha images are gently washed, and young people offer respect to elders by pouring scented water over their hands while speaking words of blessing.

In recent years, the celebration has taken a more playful tone, with joyful splashing of water filling the streets. While festive, these moments can also carry dangerous risks, especially for those traveling on busy roads.

This year, one local leader chose to honor the heart of the celebration while pointing his community toward a deeper meaning. Alex*, a Thai disciple who has quietly invested years in learning disciple-making and house church leadership, has been faithfully serving in his province. Last year, he partnered with a Lao team for a weekend outreach in his region. Several families chose to follow Jesus, and a new village house church was formed. Since then, Alex has been walking closely with its leaders, helping them grow in both faith and practice.

During this year’s Thai New Year gathering, Alex invited the church into a powerful expression of humility inspired by the Gospel of John, chapter 13. He knelt and gently washed the feet of each person present, speaking a blessing over them.

In Thai culture, feet are considered the lowest part of the body, both physically and symbolically. Touching another adult’s feet, especially as a leader, is highly unusual. Yet Alex chose to follow the example of Jesus, embracing humility in a way that spoke deeply to those watching. The room grew still as each person received this act of service. What could have felt uncomfortable instead became a moment of quiet transformation. Through this simple but profound act of love, Alex demonstrated a different kind of leadership, one shaped by humility and obedience.

Join us as we give thanks for Alex and for the growing church he is nurturing. Pray that those who witnessed this moment will carry its meaning into their daily lives, sharing their faith with others with love and humility. Pray that this young church would multiply in the coming year, planting another community of believers marked by the same humility and devotion. Lift up in prayer all the village house churches across the Thai network, that they would reflect this spirit in ways that resonate meaningfully within their own communities.

pseudonym*

The Impossible Meeting

May 27, 2026 | South East Asia, Stories

We often ask you to pray for Muslims to have dreams and visions of Jesus and then encounter a disciple of Jesus to interpret those dreams. Your prayers are being answered.

Joe* and Ray* went past a mosque in SE Asia, then into an adjoining neighborhood. They shared their testimonies about learning to follow Isa (Jesus), and they prayed for each home.

While they shared with an elderly, illiterate woman, her son left, showing no interest at all. The woman kept listening. They talked about Isa, sin and repentance. The woman realized she had many sins, and she repented. She decided to follow Isa and was baptized immediately.

After her baptism, she said, “This morning at 3 am, a very bright being in a white robe appeared to me in my home.” He said, ‘Follow Me. That is enough.’ I trembled with fear at the sight.”

Later that same day, around 3 pm, Joe and Ray suddenly appeared at her house, and she decided to follow Isa.

God sovereignly arranged the meeting and he prepared the heart of the elderly woman. The team in this area were amazed at this work of the Lord. As Joe commented, “Humanly speaking, that seems impossible; that area has so many homes.” Thank You, Lord Jesus!

And thank you for continuing to pray with us for more encounters with Jesus.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

VILLAGE REVIVAL
*Malai grew up in a small village in Isaan, Eastern Thailand, but later moved to the larger city of Chiang Mai, read more …

FLAT TIRE—DIVINE APPOINTMENT
*Mulamdon and *Maht had been thriving as disciples under the guidance of *Chai and *Nong for several months read more …

“I, TOO WILL FOLLOW JESUS”
Lotus flowers dotted the beautiful pond – the perfect setting for a simple baptism in eastern Thailand. read more …

Obedience, Baptisms and Healings

May 20, 2026 | South Asia, Stories

Samir* met Rohit* who lives in a nearby village. In their first meeting, Samir was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to boldly share the good news of Jesus with Rohit. Upon hearing the good news, Rohit decided to follow Jesus and said, “Today, I want to be baptized!.” They went to a man-made water pond, but it had no water. Not deterred by this, they set out for another place. However, it also did not have any water in it. Still determined to have a baptism, they kept looking until they found a nearby irrigation ditch. There, in the irrigation ditch, Samir baptized Rohit. Rohit is now leading a discovery group with his wife, children, and two of his brothers and their families in his village.

Upon reflection, Samir said, “I learned that when God draws people, it does not take years for them to be ready. God changes hearts. Immediate obedience is important. Rohit believed immediately, asked for baptism, and I did not delay.”

Gia* traveled with a friend to a nearby village to share the good news of Jesus. As soon as she arrived in this new village, she met a Muslim lady named Fatima* who complained of sleeping issues. For a long time, Fatima could not sleep through the night. She had tried several things to help her sleep, but nothing worked. Upon hearing this, Gia prayed for Fatima to be healed of sleeplessness. That night, Fatima slept peacefully. The next morning, she went to find Gia to tell her the good news. Gia shared more about Jesus and the importance of following Him. Now, Fatima and her family are listening to an audio Bible, discovering more about God, and obeying what they are learning.

Then Gia went to a nearby village to share Bible stories and offer to pray for people. While she was sharing, she met Falit*, the village chief. Falit told her that his friend Lok* had a huge cancer wound on his neck and asked if she could pray for him. Together, they found Lok and Gia prayed over him. A week later, Lok told Falit that the cancer wound was completely healed and that Jesus had healed him! Lok, Falit, and their families want to learn more about Jesus and the salvation that He offers.

*pseudonym

Shaking Earth, Unshaken Gospel

May 14, 2026 | East Asia, Stories

The ground beneath Japan shook, trembled and gave way in some parts. Buildings crumbled. Roads split apart. Fires raged.

For many, the scenes felt hauntingly familiar, echoes of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami came flooding back. Once again, death and destruction stood in plain view.

On that New Year’s day in 2024, across the world, believers cried out: “God, please have mercy on Japan.”

How many are facing eternity without knowing the Savior? How many are searching for hope in the chaos? How long until they hear the good news, truly hear it and believe? When will hearts turn and find real LIFE in Him?

But before the earth shook on that first day of the year … something beautiful happened.

As the sun quietly rose on New Year’s morning, on a small beach in Malaysia, a different story was unfolding. Four Japanese men and women stepped into calm waters and publicly declared their faith in Jesus through baptism.

While destruction would soon grip their homeland, LIFE was already breaking through.

These were the first baptisms of Japanese believers our team has witnessed in Malaysia. A quiet moment, unseen by the world—but celebrated in heaven.

These new disciples will not walk an easy road. Opposition, rejection, and even condemnation may await them, especially if they return to Japan. Yet they have chosen their allegiance. They stand with the One who rescues us from sin and conquers death.

And this is just the beginning.

Join us in praying that they would have bold faith . . . that their witness would multiply . . . and that many more in Japan would find the NEW LIFE in Christ.

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Why We Chose Beyond: Laser Focus on Healthy Disciples

May 7, 2026 | Stories

Someone asked Helen* why she and her husband chose BEYOND as their sending organization. “My answer is always the same,” says Helen. “Not only is BEYOND laser-focused on seeing healthy disciples reproduce healthy disciples which plant healthy multiplying churches across cultures and borders, but BEYOND also truly cares for their members in a way I haven’t experienced before.”

In 2013, Frank* and Helen set out to start a Disciple Making Movement (DMM) among an unreached people group. They knew God had promised to go before them and be with them, but they didn’t anticipate how much Satan would attack along the way.

“We were originally with a somewhat larger organization before joining BEYOND. Soon after arriving on the field, we learned how important it was to have an organization that actively supported its members’ health. By the end of our first year, we had experienced two miscarriages and the burnout of our teammates who permanently left the field. While our first org helped us seek counseling and walked with us through our team falling apart, the effort was all reactive, not proactive. We received no preventative help or preparation for future issues. They didn’t seem to have the resources to affect change. After four years of feeling like we were constantly going elsewhere to get help, both personally and for our ministry, we made the difficult decision to leave the organization.

“We were already going to BEYOND members for DMM guidance, and the more we learned about their approach to member health, the more we wanted to learn. BEYOND is different. They are proactive in making sure you and your family are healthy disciples at all times. This is crucial as only healthy disciples can reproduce healthy disciples.”

“They have several different touch-points to ensure their members’ health. Every month we celebrate growth and share our challenges in the areas of family, prayer, spiritual growth, ministry, and finances through an evaluation. They do not micromanage but allow space for sharing, celebrating, growing, and changing. Field staff can get help before a crisis hits or altogether avoid many crises often faced on the field. We are continually trained and refreshed in best ministry practices by experienced DMM leaders. They are never satisfied with stagnation for any one disciple, much less a movement of disciples. Their approach to member health is truly holistic. I feel as if I am a better person and a healthier disciple because of the way BEYOND has invested in me. We are so glad we chose BEYOND!”

*pseudonym