Discipleship | Beyond

Vani’s Unseen Love

Jan 7, 2026 | South Asia, Stories

*Vani grew up deeply immersed in Bengali traditions, practicing idol worship and even witchcraft. After marrying, her husband became addicted to alcohol, and their home was consumed with constant fighting, bickering, and strife.

Overwhelmed with disappointment and grief, Vani left her husband and returned to her family. Yet even there, she found no relief—her days were marked by tears and despair over her broken marriage. In desperation, she cried out, “God, if You are real, please change my life.”

One day, while weeping, she suddenly heard a clear, audible voice: “I am Yeshu (Hindi for Jesus). Come close to Me.” She heard the voice again and again.

As time passed, Vani’s desire for idol worship and witchcraft completely faded—she grew to despise those practices. But she remained confused: Who is Yeshu? she wondered. When she asked others, someone finally explained, “Yeshu is the Christian God, Jesus.”

Determined to know Him, Vani began attending a traditional church service where she learned of His love. Six months ago, she placed her trust in Jesus. Since then, she has returned to Delhi to live with her husband. By God’s grace, his drinking has decreased, the fighting is less frequent, and he has found steady work.

Because the Christian community in Delhi is so small, *Jerusha, —our Indian teammate—was introduced to Vani through house church connections. Jerusha has begun discipling her, and Vani often shares that before, she knew nothing of Jesus, yet He called her with His own voice. She now calls Him her “Unseen Love”—the love she had longed for but never known, the love that has filled her life with peace and blessing.

Her faith is unwavering. She boldly declares, “Whatever happens, I will never leave Jesus.” Though she first encountered Him through a traditional church, Jerusha is excited to walk with her in learning the simple disciple-making model used in the Listening Movement—so that she, too, can share Jesus with her family.

Please pray:

For Jerusha’s boldness and wisdom as she disciples Vani.
For Vani’s faith to grow strong and remain steadfast through trials and persecution.
That Vani will boldly testify to how God called her, and that her transformed life will shine brightly as a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit.

*pseudonym

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.

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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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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From the Edge of Death to a Life on Mission

Nov 12, 2025 | Austronesia, Stories

*Aditya grew up in a Christian-background family, but for most of his early life, the truth about Jesus felt distant—more like a cultural inheritance than a personal conviction. Like many others who know about Jesus but have never fully surrendered to Him, Aditya drifted away.

He became entangled in a world of drugs, street fights, and chaos. He overdosed multiple times—came close to death again and again, but never truly lived.

Everything changed one day at sea.

While working as a sailor, Aditya overdosed again—this time far from the shore. In the depths of that darkness, Jesus appeared to him—in a dream. It wasn’t just a vision. It was a divine interruption—a moment of grace that shattered the fog of sin and addiction. It wasn’t just a dream. It was a call.

And Aditya responded.

He returned to his hometown, no longer chasing escape but purpose. His heart burned— not for religion but for relationship. He began to seek out people the way Jesus had sought him—not in church buildings, but in markets, hangout spots, and street corners. With courage, he would ask strangers, “Can I pray for you?” But first, he would always share about Jesus.

In 2019, Aditya attended a contextual missions training. That training ignited a deeper fire in his heart. He didn’t just learn to share the gospel—he learned how to do so in ways that connected with the culture around him. He joined a missions team. His boldness grew. His vision expanded. Around the same time, he met and married *Lestari, and together they started a family. They now have three children.

In 2023, the whole family relocated to serve among an Unreached People Group in Southeast Asia. Today, Aditya disciples more than ten local believers, walking closely with them as they grow in faith. One of these disciples is a man named *Deni.

Deni’s mother, *Teti, had a stroke that left her paralyzed and bedridden. One day, Aditya visited their home, and Teti asked him to pray for healing. Aditya gently responded, “I can pray, but in the name of Isa Al-Masih. Before I pray, may I first tell you about Isa?” Teti agreed. So Aditya shared the gospel, then prayed for her.

A month later, the family joyfully contacted Aditya—Teti had begun walking again and was speaking clearly! The family was overjoyed and eager for Aditya’s return.

When Aditya visited again, many curious neighbors gathered to hear what had happened. Among them was *Mr. Roni, who was deeply moved by the story and intrigued by the name, Isa.

Aditya shared the Good News with Mr. Roni and his family. He continues to pray that this family—and possibly the whole neighborhood—will become a new house church.

God is doing mighty things among this still-mostly-Unreached People Group.

And God is using Aditya—once a drug addict, now a messenger of the gospel—full of love, courage, and faith. Together with Lestari and their children, they witness every day how Jesus’ love transforms hearts and communities—one person, one prayer, one household at a time.

From death to life. From addiction to calling. From brokenness to revival. This is the power of Jesus.

Join us in prayer for Aditya and his family, praying that many households and communities will be transformed by the gospel.

*pseudonym

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*Ron was born into a Christian family in Indonesia, but faith in his family’s home was shallow and hollow. As a young man, he rebelled hard. read more …