Church Planting Movements

Getting to the Harvest is Doable

Feb 6, 2021 | Stories

Charlie and Sarah hadn’t planned on the pandemic. They began 2020 with plans to move to Southeast Asia in July, to join one of Beyond’s movement catalyst teams.

Though they had already left their jobs and were making preparations, the move was halted when their destination country closed to visitors. They hit their knees in prayer and sought God’s direction.

God directed them to continue investing in a small team of intercessors who would stand in the gap for them and their ministry. They also learned that a medical issue was more complicated than they had initially thought, thus more easily addressed in the US.

After weeks of praying, God opened a door. Charlie and Sarah obtained a visa to enter their country of service. They arrived 10 weeks later than planned. “But,” they declare, “it wasn’t 10 weeks later than God had planned! God’s timing is perfect!”
Getting to the field is doable! God made a way through the obstacles, and Charlie and Sarah are stronger for it.

*pseudonym

The”Cursed”Son

Jan 30, 2021 | Stories

In North India, a young follower of Jesus tutors in the home of a neighboring Sikh family. She learned that one of the boys could not hear or speak and that the family was being ostracized. Because of their “cursed son,” extended family members would not let them visit.

The boy’s parents had spent a lot of money trying to heal him, but nothing worked. They felt deep shame. The father had tried to kill himself several times. The whole family even ingested poison once, attempting to end it all.

For weeks, the young woman prayed with the family. Then her father, Sanjay, went to their home and read the story of creation: how God created mankind. He explained that as God’s creation, it wasn’t right for them to try to kill themselves.

The family began visiting a nearby house church and listened to the testimonies. After six weeks, they asked to learn how to start a Bible study group in their home. Their lives improved in many ways! The son began responding to his name, and now even says “Mama” and “Dada.” Though some of their extended family members still reject them, they are strong in Jesus.
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We Are Becoming Like You!

Jan 23, 2021 | Stories

Our Himalayan team treks for days to share the Good News with mountain-dwelling peoples. In our last story from the region, we shared that the team felt it prudent to leave one village early because some there were afraid of outsiders during this time of Coronavirus.

Leaving early gave them time to visit a small village of 18 homes where a teammate had been discipling a family towards Christ. At the outbreak of the pandemic, Dalha, a follower of Jesus, moved back to this remote village where she had been raised. Many others did likewise, opening opportunities for followers of Jesus to share their faith with unreached family and friends whom they rarely see.

At Dalha’s invitation, the team stayed overnight with her family. They led the family and a few others from the village in a Discovery Bible Study and prayed over them. The next morning, as the team turned to leave, one man stepped forward and said, “Pray for us because we are becoming like you.”

Glory to God! This man recognizes that he and his family are turning toward belief in Christ and away from their traditional religion. Pray for this family as they are being discipled toward Christ.

*pseudonym

8 Months, 5 Generations, 64 Baptized

Jan 16, 2021 | Stories

“When we see generational growth, we know the work is going well….If we don’t have generational growth after 5 or 6 trainings, something is wrong. Fruitful work has generations.” – Sanjay, a movement leader in North India

Ranbir met Chara, a woman interested in discussing spiritual matters. He invited her to a Bible study to learn about Jesus and His Kingdom. Chara attended with her children and enjoyed the conversation, but she stayed quiet and didn’t share what she heard with others.

Then her daughter became ill. The doctor was not hopeful for her recovery. Chara asked the Bible study group to come and pray for her daughter. The daughter quickly recovered! Chara told her abusive husband that God had touched their daughter.
After further Bible studies together, the whole family gave their allegiance to Jesus. Chara declared, “He is the amazing God. He saved my life, healed my daughter, and saved my husband. I will not hide this from my people, but will share with my neighbors and [extended] family.” And she did.

Chara shared with many, including Roopwani and her household. Roopwani shared with many, including Kasla and her household. Kasla shared with many, including her brother and sister-in-law . . . Lives were changed.

In eight months, five generations of disciples were birthed, 64 people were baptized, and 47 Bible study groups were started!
You can help spread the Good News of the gospel for generations to come in Every People in Every Place.

Lessons from a Coffee Shop

Jan 8, 2021 | Stories

“It’s just like finding a person of peace,” Delun whispered to Matt.

The two men were visiting the warehouse of a friend to pray over his new business venture. Afterward, they started talking about different marketing strategies.

Their friend’s previous business had been a small coffee shop. For the most part, he had simply waited for customers to come in. But with an online business, he noted, you had to go out and find new customers rather than wait for them to come to you. It was a lot of work — “just like finding a person of peace.”

Matt enjoyed his friend’s observation. Delun “got it.” Disciples must intentionally go out to find people who will be receptive to the Good News. A person of peace hears the Good News, receives it, and opens their oikos (family or relational network) to the gospel messengers.

Later Delun told Matt that he was going to talk with a potential person of peace he knew. “I’m going to talk to her and pass on Jesus’ instructions for making followers like we are studying together in Luke 10.”

Pray that Delun will see much fruit as he learns and follows Jesus’ example.