Prayer | Beyond

A Mule for the Gospel

May 21, 2025 | South Asia, Stories, Tibetan-Himalayan

*Joel has trekked deep into the mountains to reach Tazig villages for 14 years. His team loads up horses, mules, or dzos (a yak-cow hybrid) with tents, sleeping bags, food, and equipment, letting these animals shoulder the weight of the journey.

These days, Joel says he feels more like a mule! In August 2023, a shipment of 2,112 New Testaments—totaling 3,090 pounds (1,408 kg)—arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, from a printer in East Asia. Each New Testament weighs approximately 1.5 lbs.

Getting these Bibles into the Tazig region of South Asia has proved challenging. Printing the New Testaments locally was an option, but finding a printer that could produce high-quality copies proved difficult. Instead, the team’s best option was to bring 2,112 New Testaments from Bangkok to K city by hand. Colleagues in South Asia have helped by carrying a few copies back after conferences in Thailand, but Joel has taken on most of the load himself. During every trip to South Asia, he stops in Bangkok, picks up two boxes (about 70 pounds or 32 kg), and carries them onward.

On his way home, he’ll bring back another box to store in Malaysia for future trips. Currently, Joel is en route to South Asia, sending this update from the airport with 70 pounds of Bibles in his luggage, jokingly calling himself “the mule”—stubborn and loaded down.

So far, the team has moved around 900 New Testaments from Thailand, with roughly 700 copies reaching South Asia and 200 stored in Malaysia. Seven hundred copies are more than the current number of Tazig believers, but Joel and his team trust this will change. Join us in praying that the trickle of new disciples will become a flood as Tazig people come rushing into the Kingdom of God. We give thanks for the “mules” who work tirelessly so that ALL can have the opportunity to hear the Good News.

*pseudonyms

YOU CAN’T SAY YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN
He shared Scripture with them, prayed for them, and shared his life day by day. They could see the positive changes in his life. read more …

CULTURAL OUTSIDERS AND INSIDERS
In every movement documented, God has used the combined strengths of cultural outsiders and insiders to catalyze the movements. read more …

NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
As Joel* worked to edit the next portion of the Bible translation, he was struck by the words from the book of James 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 …

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

The Woman Who Died—And Lived Again

Mar 31, 2025 | South East Asia, Stories

Six Lao believers and twelve Isaan believers went out to share their faith in unchurched villages.

Over and over, they heard the same response:

“*Nangta? Everyone knows her, but she died last year.”

But Nangta didn’t die.

She was once a well-known spirit medium, sought after by villagers for deliverance from demons, physical healing, and blessings in times of trouble. People came from across the district to seek her help, paying for rituals in hopes of securing favor from the spirit world. Yet, like many spirit priests and mediums, Nangta suffered from persistent illness. The spirits she served demanded much. Their toll on her body was heavy and she became gravely ill.

Believing she was nearing death, Nangta had an unexpected encounter. Believers from a house church—one started by our co-worker, *Pastor Mee—visited her village. Rather than inviting people to a distant church building, these Christians engaged in spiritual conversations right where people lived and worked. Nangta heard the gospel in her own home. That day, she made a life-changing decision—she accepted Jesus, renounced her ties to the spirit world, and was miraculously healed. Soon after, a church was planted in her home.

When Nangta heard that Lao believers would be visiting in January, she eagerly opened her doors to host them during the three-day outreach. Mats were laid out, and everyone camped in her home. As pairs of believers ventured into nearby villages searching for “persons of peace,” they repeatedly asked, “Have you heard of a spirit medium named Nangta?”

Each time, the response was the same: “Of course! But she’s dead.”

It made sense. Nangta had been widely known, and when she stopped performing spirit rituals, everyone assumed she had passed away. But during the outreach, her testimony of healing and deliverance spread from house to house, leaving villagers amazed.

At the end of the first day, as the teams debriefed, Nangta laughed.

“They’re right—I did die! I died to myself, and now I live for Jesus.”

Her face radiated with the joy of the Lord.

By the end of the outreach, 172 people had engaged in conversations about Jesus, and 33 expressed a desire to follow Him. Follow-up visits are now underway, and time will reveal who is truly committed. But one man, *Mr. Tongdee, stood out.

The very night he was first contacted, he attended a house church meeting at Nangta’s home. During worship, he listened intently, and at one point, tears streamed down his face. Just days later, he reached out to local believers—asking for help to destroy his Buddhist and spiritist paraphernalia.

A new chapter has begun in these villages. And it all started with a woman whom everyone thought was dead—yet is more alive than ever in Christ.

Here are some ways we can pray for the people in this village:

Pray many people will come to Nangta’s home asking to hear more about how she left her old life and found new life in Jesus.

Pray that believers who meet in Nangta’s home will grow in grace and obedience to Jesus. Pray for the follow-up with the 33 new contacts and that at least one new house church will be birthed.

Pray Tongdee and others in his village will be obedient to the Lord as they go through lessons for new disciples. Ask that Tongdee’s entire household will come to love and serve Jesus.

*pseudonym