Unreached Peoples

Persecutor Becomes a Disciplemaker

Sep 23, 2024 | South Asia, Stories

*Manosh and his family were once staunchly opposed to the disciples of Jesus and the work of God in their community. They couldn’t understand why some of their neighbors rejected idol worship. When followers of Christ were persecuted or even killed for their faith, Manosh believed they deserved it. He himself participated in persecuting disciples in his area.

However, in March, Manosh’s perspective began to change. He was deeply moved by witnessing a family of disciples endure severe persecution. Despite being beaten, deprived of food, and ostracized by the village, their unwavering faith in the Lord left a profound impact on him. Manosh observed that even as they suffered, the name of Jesus was spreading and becoming more known in the region.

This touched Manosh’s heart, leading him to place his faith in Jesus. Inspired by the strength and resilience of those he once persecuted, he invited a man he had previously beaten for being a disciple of Jesus to his home so he could learn more about Jesus. A month later, Manosh was leading his entire family in studying God’s Word. They began sharing their newfound faith with extended family members and have since started a new Discovery Bible Study group with two other families. Though they are simple, illiterate people, the Holy Spirit is empowering them to read, understand, and apply the Bible to their lives. Now, this entire family is following Jesus.

Please pray for Manosh and his family, that they would make other disciples who make disciples.

*pseudonym

Small Business Opens Doors to the Unreached

Sep 18, 2024 | Austronesia, Stories

*Charlie and *Sarah participated in a retreat with local church planting teams focused on reaching unreached people groups, in their province in Southeast Asia. They were honored to support young leaders by helping them develop and refine business platforms to enhance the effectiveness of their ministry.

These business platforms have the potential not only to generate income, to sustain their lives and ministry (much like Paul’s tent-making) but also to open doors for accessing new, unreached areas. Some platforms even allow ministry to happen within the business itself. Often, these platforms can achieve a combination of these goals.

Over the past 20 years, Charlie and Sarah have started and managed several businesses in Asia and the U.S., with the majority of their financial support still coming from one of these ventures. However, since arriving on their island in Southeast Asia, they hadn’t felt led to pursue this area—until now.

The meetings they attended sparked several ideas, one of which is gaining traction and shows potential for replication with other church planters.

One example is *Netra, a Muslim-background believer struggling to provide for her family. Her husband, handicapped by a stroke, is limited in his ability to help. Netra was making homemade snacks, selling them for 20 cents each, and earning no more than $6 a week. Despite being trained in Disciple Making Movement (DMM) principles, she was overwhelmed by the struggle to make ends meet and had little capacity left for ministry.

In response, Charlie and Sarah helped her start a used clothing business.

Now, each day, Netra travels from village to village, selling used clothes. As villagers browse through the clothing, she engages them in conversation, subtly weaving spiritual topics into the discussion, hoping to find “people of peace.” This new venture has increased her income to $10 or more per day. With her work taking only a few hours, she now has more time to follow up with those who show interest in the Good News, with the goal of starting groups of Jesus Followers.

Pray that Netra remains faithful in using her time for Kingdom work and that the Holy Spirit stirs the hearts of those she shares with.

Next month, Charlie and Sarah will travel to another city in their province to help another team establish another business platform, which has the potential to open doors into nearby villages.

This weekend retreat had rekindled a passion in Charlie and Sarah for using business to advance the Kingdom of God. Please pray for more ideas that will help Kingdom workers generate income and gain access to the unreached communities they serve.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM CHARLIE AND SARAH BELOW

GUNS, KNIVES, AND A MOTORCYCLE GANG
Charlie and Sarah met with Ali, who has shown great hunger for reading stories from the Bible about Jesus. Charlie and Sarah wanted to establish him in the pattern of reading read more …

JESUS HEALS AS IS WRITTEN IN THE QUR’AN
“This was the same lady, Ibu Muli, in whose home we now sat. She told us that immediately after the prayer, her back had been healed, and read more …

I TOLD HIM I WAS QUITTING
*Charlie worked in the IT industry. He specialized in indirect sales and marketing; he educated and supported hundreds of salesmen. He also led efforts to simplify read more …

Raksha Bandhan

Aug 14, 2024 | Festivals and Holidays

Raksha Bandhan, often referred to as Rakhi, is celebrated primarily by Hindus. This festival symbolizes the bond between brothers and sisters. The name “Raksha Bandhan” itself is derived from the Sanskrit words “Raksha,” meaning protection, and “Bandhan,” meaning bond, reflecting the essence of the festival – a pledge of lifelong protection and love.

The festival has roots in ancient traditions and legends, such as those of Queen Karnavati and Emperor Humayun, and Draupadi and lord Krishna from the Mahabharata. Over time, Raksha Bandhan has evolved to include friends and protectors, symbolizing unity, love, and lifelong bonds.

The festival typically begins with a prayer for the well-being and prosperity of the family. The sister then ties a Rakhi – a sacred thread – around her brother’s wrist. This act is a symbol of the sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s well-being. In return, the brother gives his sister a gift, promising to protect her throughout her life.

In contemporary times, Raksha Bandhan has evolved beyond its traditional boundaries. With globalization and the Indian diaspora spread across the world, the festival is celebrated with equal fervor in many countries. The concept of Rakhi has also broadened, with many people tying Rakhis to friends, cousins, and even those they consider as brothers or sisters, regardless of biological relation.

In recent years, Raksha Bandhan has become a symbol of unity and harmony in society. In some communities, people tie Rakhis to soldiers, police officers, and other protectors of the nation, acknowledging their role in safeguarding the country. In 2024, this festival falls on Monday, August 19.

Let’s pray for Hindu peoples around the world:

Pray Hindus would accept the call to live in freedom through Christ Jesus and that siblings would model themselves after Jesus: “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:16,18
Pray that brothers’ and sisters’ love for one another would reflect Romans 12: 9-10. ”Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Pray for siblings to embrace Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
… bright, powdered pigments that are a trademark of this festival… LEARN MORE

DUSSEHRA
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami is the final day of a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph … LEARN MORE

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
A celebration of light triumphing over darkness … LEARN MORE

One Bold Couple, Five New Disciples

Jul 24, 2024 | Austronesia, Stories

*Aninda and her husband came to faith a couple of years ago and became bold witnesses to their families about the change Jesus Christ brought to their lives. Then three of their four parents became Christ-followers.

Shortly thereafter, Aninda’s aunt and cousin attended a celebration of Jesus’ birth with other people from their ethnic group. Their eyes were opened that they could follow Jesus and not deny their ethnicity.

Seeing this openness, Aninda and a close friend, *Gemi, began studying about the prophets and Jesus with these two ladies. The cousin’s husband abandoned his family after his wife started learning about Isa al Masih (Jesus). One night Jesus appeared to her in a dream, bringing her comfort. Shortly after this both the aunt and the cousin received Jesus as their Savior and Lord and they now plan to be baptized.

A few weeks later while Aninda and Gemi were visiting a neighboring town, they met *Salsa and invited her to learn about the prophets and Jesus. At the conclusion of each story they asked her, “How will you obey this story and who will you tell?

Weeks of this pattern passed, and one day Salsa realized that her attitudes were changing. She also observed that of her various communities, only the community of genuine followers of Jesus showed love to each other.

Salsa has given her life to Jesus and wants to be baptized!

Pray that God would give each one the courage to follow through with this decision to be baptized.

*pseudonym

From Darkness to Light

Jul 3, 2024 | South East Asia, Stories

Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, smoking, and binge-drinking with friends, often leading to entire days lost in the haze of intoxication and gambling. Her thoughts were perpetually muddled. She neglected her home, garden, and family, resulting in frequent clashes with her husband.

One day, Achara, a woman from Ami’s village, told her about Jesus and gave her a printed copy of the Gospel of Mark. Intrigued, Ami eagerly devoured the Gospel. The more she read, the more her desire waned for the destructive cycle of drinking and gambling.

She said what she liked most about the Gospel of Mark was that she felt so much compassion for Jesus, and the more she read, the less she felt drawn to her bad lifestyle patterns. She cut ties with her old companions and abandoned the destructive habits. After becoming sober, Ami experienced a physical and emotional resurgence: gaining weight, revitalizing her health, and rediscovering her energy. She redirected her focus to her home, family, and nurturing her garden.

This transformation did not go unnoticed by her husband and daughter. Dao, Ami’s daughter, marveled at the positive changes. She remarked that their previously neglected home and kitchen now reflected order and care, thanks to Ami’s newfound commitment to Jesus.

Ami, now burdened for her family and their lack of knowledge about Jesus, fervently prayed for them. Despite initial hesitation, Dao began to trust in Jesus, inspired by her mother’s example and supported by their house church. Meanwhile, Ami’s husband Amree, initially fearful of reaction from the Buddhist community, boldly proclaimed his belief in Jesus.

As the family navigated this spiritual shift, Dao’s husband remained a point of concern. Pray that he too will see the light in Dao, Ami and Amree, and want that light as well.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

THREE DELICIOUS DISHES …
Danny and *Holly were at their favorite Thai open-air market on Christmas Day. When they gave … read more

MIRACLES, DEMONIC EXORCISM
After prayer walking with a local partner, sowing gospel seeds with whoever was receptive, Scott* asked … read more

IT MUST BE JESUS WHO DID THIS
*Uhn was the town drunk and the senior patriarch of his large extended family. Over a year ago, *Scott’s local partner, … read more