Missions | Beyond

Faith Over Fear

Oct 22, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

*Veer, a 12th-grade Hindu student in India, struggled academically. He felt mentally overwhelmed and had trouble remembering answers during exams. The pressure became so intense that he grew anxious and even began avoiding school. Fear of being called on in class and not knowing the answers eroded his confidence, affecting both his studies and his mental health.

While Veer was caught in this cycle of stress and discouragement, he noticed something different about a few of his classmates. Impressed by their progress, he asked them the key to their success.

To his surprise, they shared that they too had once struggled—but everything changed when they began praying to Jesus. “It is only by His grace,” they told him, “that we are now able to pass with good marks. Our Heavenly Father is faithful.” They shared James 1:5 with him: “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.”

Veer was moved by their testimony and asked them to pray for him. Soon after, he experienced a shift—his mind felt clearer, he could focus better, and a deep sense of peace filled him. He began to feel God’s presence and strength in a way he never had before.

With new confidence and determination, Veer not only improved in his studies but also opened his heart to Jesus. He accepted Christ as Lord and became a faithful follower. That year, he passed his 12th-grade exams with good marks. Today, Veer is preparing for India’s National Eligibility Test (similar to the MCAT in the U.S.), with hopes of continuing his education in the medical field.

Veer is grateful for the friends who pointed him to Jesus. Now, he shares his testimony with the other students in his household, encouraging them to seek wisdom and help from the Lord as well.

Please pray for Veer:

Pray for courage and boldness as he shares his new faith with his family and friends.
Pray for his continued spiritual growth.
Pray for success in his upcoming National Eligibility Test.

*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 …

PASSING ON THE TORCH
*Sanjay, a partner in North India, shared this inspiring report about how young people share the gospel and make new disciples read more …

The Light that Overcame Darkness

Oct 15, 2025 | Festivals and Holidays

On October 20th, millions around the world will celebrate Diwali—the Festival of Light. Streets will shimmer with rows of oil lamps, and homes will glow in the soft radiance of diyas (clay lamps) placed carefully along windows and doorsteps. Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Newar Buddhists will clean their homes, share sweets, and exchange gifts, all in the hope of welcoming Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.

But Lakshmi doesn’t come easily. Devotees believe she must be drawn in—enticed by bright lights, clean homes, and lavish offerings. Families feast and gamble late into the night, believing that good fortune will follow the year’s first winners. The atmosphere sparkles with joy, color, and hope. And yet, beneath the celebration, hearts still ache for something lasting—for light that does not fade when the lamps burn out.

As followers of Jesus, we understand that longing. We too desire light, blessing, and peace. But how beautiful it is to know that Jesus didn’t need to be enticed to come near to us. He came willingly—entering our darkness, not to bring temporary good fortune, but eternal hope.

We don’t have to hope luck will favor us next year; we can rest in the truth that Christ’s plans are already good—far better than we could imagine. As our Hindu neighbors light their lamps, praying for blessing and prosperity, we remember the words of Luke 1:79:

“The true Light came to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

How can we share this Light with our Hindu friends?

Start with the Story of Creation
Sharing the story of creation opens hearts to the One True God—Creator of all things, perfect and holy. Unlike Hindu gods, who are often portrayed as both good and evil, the Creator God is wholly good and righteous. In the beginning, He made a beautiful, perfect world. But when sin entered through Adam and Eve, it spread so deeply that God’s holiness could no longer allow it to continue. He sent a flood, began anew with Noah, and ultimately came Himself—as Jesus Christ—to deal with sin once and for all. Beginning with creation lays the foundation to explain why Jesus alone is the True Light of the world, the only One who can remove sin and restore our relationship with God.

Follow Jesus’ Strategy
We can also follow Jesus’ approach to outreach found in Luke 10: pray, go, and expect God to work powerfully.

A believer from a Hindu background shared how her family came to faith. When her sister Judy was just sixteen, she was diagnosed with lupus. Desperate for healing, their family turned to temple rituals, witch doctors, and shamans. Nothing worked. Then, a Christian classmate asked if she could pray for Judy in Jesus’ name. The family agreed, willing to try anything.

The classmate shared stories from Scripture about Jesus healing the sick, and then she and her brothers prayed—not only for Judy but for the whole family. Within days, Judy began to improve. A miracle! Their entire household, including extended relatives, soon chose to follow Christ.

Across India today, thousands of former Hindus testify to similar stories—hearts turned to Jesus because someone prayed, and God revealed His power. As one field worker admitted, “We sometimes wonder if God will actually do what we ask—but we pray anyway. And He does. He proves again that He is the only way.”

PRAY WITH US

Pray that Hindus seeking blessing and peace during Diwali will encounter Jesus, the Light of the World.
Pray for believers to share the story of creation and redemption clearly and lovingly.
Pray for miracles of healing and provision that display God’s power and draw many to faith.
Pray that the light of Christ will pierce the spiritual darkness surrounding those celebrating Diwali this year.

OTHER HINDU HOLIDAYS

THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
Holi, the Indian festival marking the beginning of spring, falls on March 14 this year. Holi is also known as the “Festival of Colors” due to the bright, powdered pigments read more …

DUSSEHRA
Different parts of India celebrate Dussehra in different ways. Scenes from Rama’s life might be enacted, grand processions may take place or effigies of Ravana burned. read more …

RAKHSHA BANDHAN
Rakhsha Bandhan is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters or unrelated persons with a similar familial bond. read more …

From Rebellion to Redemption

Oct 15, 2025 | Austronesia, Stories

*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. By his twenties, he was demanding his father sell family land to fund his lifestyle—partying, drinking, and other reckless behaviors.

When his father refused, Ron lashed out angrily. In a fit of rage, he burned the boat his father had been building. And then spiraled out of control.

While rummaging through some old boxes, Ron found his grandfather’s notes on black magic. Intrigued, he began experimenting with mystical powers. Soon, he was tormented by dark spiritual forces that fueled his pride, aggression, and self-destruction.

Amid this confusion, he fell in love with a Muslim woman and converted to Islam—not out of belief, but out of rebellion and spiritual chaos.

But even in Ron’s darkest moments, God was working.

One day, Ron was invited by a pastor to attend a church service. He went, drunk and defiant, not to seek truth, but to challenge God.

Yet when the simple hymn “I Surrender All…” filled that little church, the Holy Spirit moved mightily. Ron wept and fell to his knees. While on his knees, he had a vision of Jesus on the cross, His blood flowing to cover Ron’s sins. In that moment everything changed.

The very next day—despite a fierce storm—he was baptized. Afterward, Ron rode his motorbike six kilometers home, drenched but singing songs of thanksgiving all the way. His new life had begun.

Ron was discipled by an Indonesian missionary (serving cross-culturally within his own nation) who taught him how to share Christ’s love in a simple but profound way.

Eventually, Ron quit his job. He told his boss, “I’m resigning because I want to live out Matthew 28:19–20.”

Today, Ron serves as a full-time missionary—six days a week, eight hours a day. There is no salary, no retirement plan, no worldly perks—only the joy of obedience and a heart on fire for the gospel.

He says plainly: “I’m willing to die for the gospel, because life in Jesus is far more meaningful than life in sin.”

Pray for Ron’s faithful witness to all those around him and that he would make multiplying disciples wherever he goes.

*pseudonym

FROM GANGSTER TO DISCIPLE MAKER
Pastor *Wint was from a mixed Muslim-and Hindu-background area of Bali, Indonesia. One of his concerns was the unreached tribe on the mountains bordering where he lived. read more …

DID GOD ANSWER THIS PRAYER?
Recently, Brian and Allison*, Beyond mission catalysts in Austronesia, learned of answers to prayers they and their partners began praying back in 2004! read more …

LACK OF HARVESTERS …
Recently Reina*, a BEYOND field worker, was approached by a foreign worker from another organization. “I want you to let me know if you have any local workers in your network read more …

From Curiosity to Faith Amidst Persecution

Sep 29, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Disciples in India are facing an escalation of persecution. Stories have emerged of believers being expelled from their villages. To date there have been over 30 brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the gospel.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs both nationally and in many states, remains staunchly opposed to Christian activities, including the work of disciple-makers.

In Uttar Pradesh, the anti-converation laws have been frequently enacted, mandating life imprisonment for anyone caught converting others. Yet, despite these formidable challenges, the Kingdom of God continues to grow.

One such story of growth comes from the Listening Movement in India. In a community among the Banjara people—nomadic and of a low caste—women have begun experiencing the transformative power of the gospel. The Banjara, most of whom are illiterate, often find work in labor and transportation. For some time, these women observed Christians from a distance, their curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar way they prayed.

That curiosity deepened when they encountered female disciple-makers who prayed in ways that felt relatable. Seeing women like themselves gathered in prayer encouraged them to draw near. The disciple-makers shared Bible stories, welcoming and accepting them and gently opening the Banjara women’s hearts to the word of God.

Westerners commonly speak up and share their thoughts, but Indians, especially lower-caste women, find this far more difficult.

However, through the patient and persistent efforts of the disciple-makers, these women began to engage in prayer and discussion. Just two months later, they now meet regularly to study God’s word and pray.

Praise God for this group of women who long to know more about Jesus and obey His teachings. We thank God for the brave disciple-makers who faithfully shared their stories and testimonies, bringing the light of the gospel in the midst of persecution.

Please pray for the families of those who have surrendered their lives for the sake of the gospel.

GIVE TO HELP THE PERSECUTED

FAITH UNDER FIRE
Twenty-year-old *Ragbir was deeply passionate about spreading the gospel. He often preached in villages far from his own, despite opposition. read more

POISONED FOR MAKING IMPACT
Nadal’s life-changing impact had drawn opposition. A local drug dealer, angry about the growing number of transformed lives, … 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

Mourning Into Mission, Grief Into Grace

Sep 25, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

*Rohan was a devoted and courageous disciple-maker among the Baghel and Kumhar communities in North India. A faithful leader, he labored with passion to share the good news of Jesus in areas where few had ever heard the Lord’s name. In 2020, Rohan was martyred for his faith by local opposition in the region he served.

He left behind a grieving family, including his daughter Shantha. But they were not alone. Fellow disciple-makers from the broader movement rallied around them, offering spiritual, emotional, practical, and financial support.

At the time of Rohan’s death, few in the surrounding villages knew much about Jesus. But news of his martyrdom spread quickly. As people learned he had been killed simply for serving the Lord, many responded with shock and sympathy. “How could someone be killed just for doing good?” they asked.

In the midst of tragedy, Rohan’s family stood firm. They continued following Jesus with unwavering faith. Their witness deeply impacted those around them. Slowly, villagers who had once been indifferent or unaware began to ask questions. They attended trainings, engaged in Bible discovery groups, and some chose to follow Christ themselves—drawn by the powerful testimony of a family who had suffered greatly yet remained faithful.

*Shantha, Rohan’s daughter, has now taken up her father’s mantle. She is a bold disciple-maker and trainer, equipping others to carry the gospel forward. Her life is a living testimony of grace, courage, and the unstoppable love of God.

Many who have watched this family rise from sorrow are now compelled to know more about the God who gave them such strength. Who is this Jesus, they wonder, who turns mourning into mission and grief into grace?

Please pray for the villagers of this region—that more hearts would be stirred by the testimony of this family. Pray that Rohan’s legacy would continue to inspire boldness, and that their lives would remain a fragrant offering among those who are still far from Christ.

*pseudonym