Stories | Beyond

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.

Building Bridges of Hope with Technology

Dec 10, 2025 | Austronesia, Stories

A simple app developed by our Southeast Asia team to distribute Discovery Bible Study (DBS) story sets is transforming lives in a region ripe for harvest. According to our local team, this tool has become an extraordinary lifeline for those seeking truth.

One such seeker is *Ari, a new disciple of Isa Al-Masih (Jesus). Though raised in Islamic traditions and trained in a religious boarding school, Ari’s heart grew restless. The teachings he once embraced no longer filled the spiritual void he felt. His search led him to follow Isa—a bold and costly decision that brought both peace and persecution.

After choosing to follow Isa, Ari faced intense pressure. Family members rejected him. The community mocked him. Yet, he stood firm. “I never imagined that following Isa would lead me down a road marked by both suffering and love,” Ari shared. “But I now walk in truth.”

During this difficult season for Ari, a DBS story set titled Struggle on God’s Path, facilitated by missions catalyst, *Bret through the app, brought comfort and courage. The app became more than just a resource. It became a refuge. Ari and his house church group leaned into the Scriptures daily, drawing strength and guidance from each story.

Now, Ari is not only growing in faith. He’s boldly living it out. With humility and love, he shares truth with those who once ridiculed him. He doesn’t repay mockery with anger, but with compassion and prayer, just as Isa taught. He longs deeply for his family to know Isa and continues to pray that they too will experience the love and truth he has found.

Ari’s story reminds us that every effort counts. The app is more than a technological solution. It’s a bridge to hope for many who are quietly hungering for truth.

Please pray for Ari and others like him—that they would experience peace, joy, and continued strength as they grow in faith. Pray especially that God would answer Ari’s heartfelt prayer: that his entire household would come to know Isa Al-Masih.

*pseudonym

THREE MAJOR HINDRANCES
Hanli* helped her husband track data describing their region’s largest family of church planting movements. After reading all the descriptions of transformed read more …

JOURNEY TO DISCIPLESHIP
Susi was interested in each of the Old Testament stories and asked, “Are these stories talking about the blood of Jesus?” read more …

GIVE UP YOUR WAY
Together the couple had sought the Lord on where they might live to be most effective in making multiplying disciples. And the Lord had answered. read more …

When God Sent Rain

Dec 1, 2025 | East Asia, Stories

It was late and dark when *Luke and his team arrived at the village mission house in Northeast Asia.

With the first light of morning, they noticed the forest above the village—dry, diseased, and dying. For three years, the region had endured severe drought. The land was so parched that deep cracks split the ground. Luke hadn’t realized, when planning this trip to plant trees, that the village had been suffering under such conditions.

Some young herders told him that the local shaman had even impaled five pig heads on stakes in an attempt to summon rain, but nothing changed. The heavens remained silent.

During the first week, *Strongwell, a disciplemaker, led a house church gathering where the Spirit of God brought deep conviction. Luke himself confessed and renounced his fear of losing a future visa platform and resolved to boldly proclaim Jesus, whatever the cost. Their national partner, *Eternal Treasure, admitted that he too had let intimidation silence his witness for Christ. The team gathered around him, prayed, and encouraged him to stand firm. That very afternoon, the local stamp governor met Luke and the team at the village well house and openly declared that the people were free to choose Jesus.

A few days later, Luke sat with the vice governor. Curious about their presence, she asked why they had chosen her village. Luke told her the Holy Spirit had led them there to demonstrate God’s love. Addressing rumors that he was prospecting for gold, Luke replied, “I don’t want your gold. I’ve already found the greatest treasure in Jesus.”

When she mentioned the new road to their village, Luke used the opportunity to explain: “Broad is the road that leads to destruction, but narrow is the path that leads to life. Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life.” When she lamented the dying forest, Luke spoke candidly: “Repentance is necessary for the curse to be broken. I will pray for rain and wait for God’s answer.” Impressed by his boldness, the vice governor awarded Luke and his team a medal for their service to the community.

The next morning, the Spirit led Luke up the mountain above the village. There, in plain sight of the people, he prayed for rain—rain of mercy and grace, knowing it is God’s kindness that leads to repentance. That same morning, a villager who had clung tightly to his idols the day before publicly burned them. By afternoon, God answered Luke’s prayer with a downpour of heavy rain. Luke immediately lifted his voice in thanksgiving, praising God openly for the gift of rain.

The team also renovated the village water well. They dismantled the old tank, installed a new one, insulated the well house with Styrofoam, reinforced the walls with sheet metal, and cemented the roof. While the automatic dispensing system was offline, Luke and his team joyfully served water by hand. As each villager came to draw water, Luke reminded them who had truly provided it. When they thanked him for praying, he responded, “Give thanks to God.” Together, the villagers lifted their eyes to heaven and said, “Thank you, God!”

Luke and his team planted 40 trees during this trip. Pray that those trees would take root and grow strong—standing as a living testimony to God’s faithfulness. Ask God to bless Luke and his team as they plant not only trees but also seeds of His love in this remote mountain village. Pray that through their relationships, many villagers would choose to follow Jesus and become disciples who make disciples. Finally, pray for wisdom and discernment for Luke as he engages with government officials—that he would be granted the same kind of favor Daniel found with King Darius.

*pseudonym

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“I Don’t Have An Oikos!”

Nov 25, 2025 | Austronesia, Stories

*Frida seemed hungry for Jesus, yet insistent that no one else around her would want to join in discovering God’s heart through the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) process.

What should a Disciple Making Catalyst team do when someone says, “No one in my circle is interested”?

The team chose to seek the Lord together through Listening Prayer. They asked, “Jesus, what must be done?”

As they listened, the next steps became clear: take Frida out with them to find other potential Persons of Peace. She didn’t need to wait for people to come to her. Instead, they would go together, prayer walking and watching for those the Holy Spirit was already stirring with a longing to know God.

At that point, Frida wasn’t yet a follower of Jesus. But she was eager to obey what little she understood. And in the midst of joining the team in the search, she encountered Christ and chose to follow Him.

Still, the question lingered—Where was her group of close connections? Her natural household and social network seemed closed or uninterested. But one of the core principles the team instills in every Kingdom Movement catalyst is this: don’t take “no” as the final answer.

So the team kept walking alongside her, discipling her in her new faith. They invited her to help facilitate a new Discovery Group—this time among a group of highly educated individuals, among whom she initially felt out of place.

But as local teammates continued equipping her to find her identity and significance in Christ—not in her background, education, or perceived limitations—she began to grow. Her confidence in God’s Word increased. So did her dependence on the Holy Spirit.

That initial group has now already begun to multiply into a second generation, starting another Discovery Group.

Could it be that every seemingly “stuck” situation is actually a sacred invitation—an opportunity to pause, listen, and lean deeper into the Holy Spirit’s leading?

Let us be diligent, intentional, and courageous. The Kingdom has room for us to practice and wrestle until God helps us figure it out.

With Him, nothing is impossible!

*pseudonyms

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LACK OF HARVESTERS ….
“Many times the fruit goes rotten for lack of harvesters among unreached people groups (UPGs). In Western cultures, read more …

JESUS HEALS AS IS WRITTEN
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A Fifty Year Burden Lifted

Nov 19, 2025 | NAME, Stories

A family of movement catalysts in North Africa was invited to a special day set aside for fasting, prayer, worship, and communion. During that time, they sought the Lord’s direction—asking where in the city He wanted them to go and who He wanted them to meet.

While they were out, their young son, *Brock and two of his friends met an older gentleman named *Aaron. A friendly conversation quickly began, and one of the boys asked Aaron what he believed was the biggest difference between Islam and Christianity. Aaron replied, “We believe in one God. You believe in three.”

The boys recognized this as a perfect opportunity to share the gospel. They opened the Scriptures to John 14:1–6 and explained what Jesus said about Himself. As Aaron listened to God’s Word in his own language, something seemed to break open in his heart. It was as if scales fell from his eyes.

A smile spread across his face, and then he laughed with joy. “It feels like my whole life I thought my shirt was green, and now I can see it’s actually blue!” he exclaimed. Overjoyed, he asked to meet with them again because he wanted to learn more.

As Brock and his friends were preparing to leave, Aaron suddenly returned in tears. “I need to tell you something,” he said. He shared how, at just eight years old, while far from his mountain home and family, two men had found him and hurt him. Aaron had carried the pain and shame of that trauma for over 50 years.

Something about being with these new young friends gave Aaron the safety to finally speak about his burden. The boys prayed for him, asking God to bring comfort, healing, and freedom to his heart.

The next day, Aaron met with them again. This time, another of Brock’s friends shared more Scriptures, showing from God’s Word why Jesus is the promised Messiah. After listening carefully, Aaron declared, “I believe this. I want to follow Him.”

Aaron not only placed his faith in Jesus but also expressed a deep desire to know how to share this good news with his family. As he read Acts 16:31–33 for the very first time, he longed for his whole household to take steps of faith and follow Christ together.

*pseudonym

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