Missions | Beyond

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.
If you are a Beyond donor, you have helped make this story possible.

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.

Sharing the Christmas Story: The Only Woman Named in the Qu’ran

Dec 12, 2020 | Stories

“Do you know the name of the only woman mentioned in the Qu’ran?” Nicole asked the four young women. They had been meeting as an English Club and had gathered for a Christmas celebration.

One woman knew the answer: Miryam (Mary). Yes, the mother of Jesus even has a chapter in the Qu’ran named for her.

Nicole asked if they would like to hear Mary’s story. Everyone was eager, so they began reading the story found in Luke. The women then discussed it by answering searching questions.

Finally, Nicole asked if anyone had heard the story before. The Buddhist woman, *Neha, shook her head. No, she never had. This was the first time she had ever heard the Christmas story. The Muslim women nodded their heads, but only because they’d heard the character’s names. This was their first time to hear the actual story.

There are over 2 billion others like these women: they have never heard the story of Emmanuel, God with us. They don’t know that he came – as one of us – to redeem us from sin and restore us to God the Father.

*pseudonym

Pleading with God for the Privilege

Nov 21, 2020 | Stories

Here is a message from Brad, a faithful friend and supporter of the work of BEYOND:

“It is a privilege to partner with BEYOND as they work to spread the gospel throughout the unreached world. I have supported BEYOND for many years through prayer, professional IT work, and financial giving.

“Personally, I invest in world missions in obedience to God’s word but also because of the law of sowing and reaping and God’s love of a cheerful giver.

“Participating in the work of the gospel spreads the good news beyond the faithful to the world. The role of the messenger — the “herald” — is the primary means God uses to spread the gospel of the Kingdom to the entire world.

“My point is that the herald is most worthy of support in the Christian world. Paul wrote that God chose the preaching of the gospel, mere foolishness to the world, as the mysterious and powerful way to save the world.

“At the end of my life, I hope to be counted among those who pleaded with God (2 Corinthians 8:3-4) for the privilege of generously supporting God’s messengers and His work in the world.”

We are very grateful to Brad and his wife Susan . . . and to YOU. Thank you for all the ways you support BEYOND, reaching the Unreached.

The Fruit of Forty Years of Prayer

Aug 16, 2019 | Stories

Since 2013, BEYOND has seen the movements we coach grow to over 57,000 churches and nearly half a million baptized disciples. Kent Parks, CEO of BEYOND, has said, “People are coming to faith in multiplying ways around the world. We have been praying for this for forty years, and now we are seeing it!” In each of the last four years, the number of churches within these movements has doubled.

From 5,000 in 2016
To 12,000 in 2017
To 22,000 in 2018
To 57,000 in 2019!

Why is this happening? Because God is doing it. We know this fruit is not ours—only God starts movements. But we know God delights in using His people in this task; this is why we place teams among the unreached and prayerfully prepare ourselves to participate in His work.

How do we prepare?

First, we train. Trainings range in length and intensity from our 90-minute introductory Nugget webinars (for those beginning to explore their calling), all the way to Phase 1 and Phase 2 Hub programs that can last a year or more (for those already committed to cross-cultural work). In the last six years, BEYOND workers have helped to train over 42,000 people through these initiatives.

Second, we work: We want to see people practice what they’ve learned, so we structure trainings to include implementation. We usually require people to practice what they’ve learned before they move on to subsequent training. We strive to hold ourselves accountable to be doers of the word, not just hearers.

Third, we coach. Individual training and the initial steps of practice, important as they are, aren’t enough. The most productive Disciple Making Movement (DMM) catalysts are in coaching relationships with peers and others ‘further ahead’ in the journey. Coaching circles provide the stability and accountability needed for workers to go far. Members pray together, encourage one another, identify and solve pressing problems, and experiment with new resources.

We are very excited about and thankful for all that God has been doing over the past four years. We are preparing for the additional growth we believe He will bring. However, we know much remains to be done: over 2 billion people in the world still have no access to the Gospel. We believe that God wants to use us, our partners, and many others like us all over the world, “to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) We look forward to the day when we look back on this time and say, “That was just the beginning!”