Discipleship | Beyond

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 …

One Man’s Prayer, Two Dead Rats, and a Saved Harvest

May 6, 2025 | Stories

It was close to harvest season, and the corn was ripening in the fields. *Asam, a former Muslim who follows Jesus and lives out his faith in his Muslim community, cared for a lot of corn in the middle of the other villagers’ fields.

The community had problems with rats eating all the corn the closer it got to harvest time. They physically guarded the crops to ward off the rats — an impossible task given the determined resourcefulness of these creatures. The day before the harvest, Asam walked around his area and prayed to Isa al Masih (Jesus the Messiah), asking Him to protect his crops for the next day’s harvest.

When the neighborhood woke up the following morning, they found that the rats had beaten them to the harvest. Every field except for Asam’s had been devoured. Asam’s lot was untouched, and two rats were found dead in his field!

Jesus had answered Asam’s prayers and saved his crops. His obedience to do what Jesus told him to do deepened his faith. It also made Asam stand out as a God-fearing witness and a true follower of Isa al Masih in his community.

Pray for the many Muslim background disciples of Jesus who are bravely living out their faith. Pray that Jesus will show Himself to their precious families, friends, and communities through Bible stories, miracles, and dreams!

*pseudonym

A BOLD SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION
Hoping to encourage her, I shared how using simple statements, questions, and stories can show read more …

WHY HAD JESUS APPEARED TO HER
Adile is a conservative Muslim woman who has been part of a group doing Discovery Bible Study (DBS) with Raleigh. And she had seen Jesus in a vision! read more …

SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH MUSLIMS DON’T HAVE TO BE INTIMIDATING … learn 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

Names in Heaven

Apr 9, 2025 | South East Asia, Stories

After hearing a Christian broadcast, Mr. Kim was stirred with curiosity. He listened more and eventually obtained a rare copy of the North Korean Bible. For months, he studied it diligently, and as understanding dawned, so did overwhelming joy. Unable to keep the truth to himself, he quietly began sharing the gospel with family and friends.

One by one, lives were transformed.

Over a hundred people in his town embraced Christ—fully aware of the grave risk they faced. In North Korea, being caught as a believer often means public execution. Yet, their faith grew.

Their underground fellowship, however, was eventually infiltrated by a special security agent. A total of 102 people were arrested and confined in the town’s security compound. They faced relentless interrogation and brutal treatment. But when the noontime siren sounded each day, their voices rose in unison, boldly praying the Lord’s Prayer. No beatings could silence them.

Even their guards stood in astonishment at their unwavering courage.

Around 40 of them were secretly executed. The rest were condemned to a notorious prison camp, vanishing into the darkness of North Korea’s brutal system.

We have no further updates on their fate, but we know that God has not abandoned them. He is with them in their suffering, and He treasures each one.

The world may not know their names, but the Lord does.

How You Can Pray

Pray for the continued spread of gospel broadcasts across North Korea, overcoming every barrier.
Pray that those hungry for truth will be able to find printed or digital copies of the Bible
Pray for the ones who persecute believers—pray that their hearts would be softened and their eyes opened to the truth as they witness the unshakable faith of Christ’s followers.
Wherever you are in the world, commit to joining in prayer at noontime, standing in solidarity with our persecuted brothers and sisters.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

BUDDHIST WOMAN HEALED OF CANCER
*Somchai lived in the bustling city of Bangkok. Life for the 26-year-old seemed to be crumbling around her. read more

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, read more

A TRIUMPH OVER BLACK MAGIC
*Narong and *Junta were deeply immersed in the occult practices and folk Buddhism of Thailand when they encountered read more