Prayer for the Muslim World

Engaging the First Seekers

May 15, 2021 | Stories

Hari*, the local partner of BEYOND field workers, was exhausted and ready to walk away. He was thankful for his job in the coffee industry, which allowed him to pursue his passion to see God glorified in his country and provided for his family. But Hari was tired.

He did not waiver, however. He stayed focused on God and His vision for those with whom Hari worked. His relationships with workers opened the door for him and his wife, Dewi*, to pray with families and share truths about their Source of peace and freedom from fear.

Thankfully, following a busy season of harvest, processing, and distribution, families enjoyed a slower pace of life and the ability to connect at a deeper level.

In January, one family showed interest in learning more about the peace and freedom that Hari and Dewi spoke about. The father agreed that his whole family should explore these things together.

Through the Holy Spirit’s work in this village, three families are now discovering biblical truths together!

Please pray for the Father to draw people in and teach them from His Word. May the message of the Kingdom spread throughout this village and into surrounding areas.

Thank you, BEYOND donors, for being a part of engaging the first seekers from this village!

*pseudonyms

Using the Qu’ran to Talk About Jesus

May 1, 2021 | Stories

Kersen* grew up as a Muslim but became a follower of Jesus. After learning how to use verses from the Qu’ran to talk about Jesus, he found his high school friend, Ajij*, to share what he had just learned.

Soon they transitioned to studying about Jesus and the prophets. As they studied, God began to open Ajij’s heart, and he was drawn to Jesus. Ajij started sharing what he was learning with his wife.

“You can’t study those stories,” she said. “Those are stories from the Injil (the New Testament), and that book has been corrupted.”

Ajij mentioned this to Kersen. Using verses from the Qu’ran, Kersen showed that even the Qu’ran said the Injil had not been corrupted.

Because Ajij continued studying about Jesus, his wife thought seriously about divorcing him. But she began to realize that Ajij was becoming a kind man. He took care of her and led her. “Why would I divorce a man like this?” she thought. So she began to be open to stories about Jesus.

Before long, Ajij and his wife came to faith and were baptized! They shared the Good News with their parents. So far, three of their parents have come to faith in Jesus Christ, and they meet together as a house church.

BEYOND donors, thank you for being part of this Kingdom growth.

*pseudonym

What Will the Team Do Now?

Apr 16, 2021 | Austronesia, Stories

*Ari, *Lukas, and *Andi traveled to the big city at the heart of their unreached people group. Once there, they had an unexpected encounter: they met a couple who were there to reach Muslims with the Good News. They even heard about a third person who might be there as a witness for Jesus!

The men told *Chad and *Tia, their partners and Beyond mission catalysts, the exciting news. “Praise God!” Chad says. “We’ve never run into anyone else focusing on this area.”

What will the team do now? The newcomers have likely been trained using traditional approaches that often bear little or no fruit. “We are certainly not experts and don’t claim to be,” says Chad, “but we are connected to many people who have seen great fruit using simpler and more reproducible disciple-making methods.”

The team is planning to come alongside and support the new workers. They hope to be able to equip, care for, and partner with them. Thanks to BEYOND donors whose support enables Kingdom building relationships like these. Please pray over their next steps. They want to do the Lord’s best, biblically and strategically, with wisdom and love.

*pseudonym

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.