Church Planting Movements

A Church Was Born

Jul 10, 2026 | Stories

In the Tibetan Himalayas, a church was born — the first church in its district. Its members began to share the gospel with others from their own people group. This brought much fruit, resulting in the formation of several churches in neighboring villages. The first church also expressed a desire to go to different, nearby people groups, including the Tazig* people. Joel*, BEYOND’s Affinity Strategy Leader for the Tibetan Himalayas, works among the Tazig people and has kept in touch with this church for mutual encouragement.

About three years ago, a man from the church was hired as a teacher in a Tazig school and began sharing the gospel in the surrounding area. Soon thereafter, God led Joel and his team to invite a couple of the church’s missionaries to join their trek into Tazig country. These men accompanied the team on three of their month-long trips. They were able to see how the team discipled people they encountered for the first time, as well as those with whom they had already built relationships. “I have learned so much from joining you on this trip,” one man said. “I have come to this village before by myself, but I didn’t know how to talk to these people, and I didn’t know how to start a church, but by watching you, I have so many good ideas.”

Joel learned that other men from the church were actively attempting to make disciples among different people groups, often walking long distances to reach them. Seeing their obedience to Matthew 28:19-20, Joel offered to lead a DMM (Disciple Making Movement) training for these earnest men. Seven men attended, including the church’s pastor and a young man who had traveled with one of the missionaries. They were thrilled with the training! One said, “I was already committed to doing this work, but now I know how to do it.”

Two of these men have been commissioned to the Tazig people, one to a different Tibetan Buddhist group, and two more to Hindu people groups. Please pray for them as they go make disciples in these people groups.

*pseudonym

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 …

A MULE FOR THE GOSPEL
*Joel has trekked deep into the mountains to reach Tazig villages for 14 years. His team loads up horses, mules, read more …

A Simple Act, An Eternal Impact

Jun 9, 2026 | South Asia, Stories

Joel* began serving a movement in India two years ago. Every month, his team receives reports from each state, filled with prayer requests and testimonies of how God is moving in various villages. This month, they received an inspiring story about how God’s Kingdom transformed an entire family through one woman.

A year ago, Aruna* heard about Discovery Bible Study (DBS) gatherings in her village. Encouraged by a friend, she decided to join. Aruna noticed that the group always prayed for various needs, and soon, people were praying for her as well. This made a huge impact on Aruna, as she was accustomed to a religion where individuals only prayed for themselves. Struck by the group’s compassion and sense of community, she shared her experiences with her husband and children, who then also joined the Bible study.

Despite facing significant persecution from other villagers, Aruna’s entire family chose to be baptized. Today, Aruna leads a women’s group in her village, sharing vision for the ministry and training others. Though just a year ago, she and her family did not follow Jesus, they now all not only follow Christ but also lead their own Bible studies. Aruna is dedicated to helping other women reach out to their families and neighbors with the message of Christ.

As Joel read this story, he was deeply moved by how something as simple as praying for one another—so common in the church—could have such a profound impact on someone unfamiliar with a Christian community. Aruna not only heard the Word of God in those meetings but also experienced the love and care of the community, which empowered her to bring the life-giving message of the Bible to her family.

Please pray for Aruna’s family and the many others in South Asia who are exploring who Christ is and what the Word says. May they all find a loving community of disciples that cares for their needs and helps them grow in their faith

*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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