Bold Faith, New Life

Bold Faith, New Life

*Jawaria’s soul was weighed down by unanswered prayers and spiritual uncertainty.  She was a devoted SaSumBi woman, a faithful follower of Islam and had spent years striving to please Allah.

That is, until the day she met someone entirely unexpected: another SaSumBi woman—yet strikingly different. This woman, *Ati, also came from a Muslim background, but her life radiated peace and joy. She claimed to follow Isa Al Masih (Jesus Christ). Ibu Jawaria was stunned. “How could that possibly be?” she wondered. Could one come from a world like hers and still follow Isa?

Intrigued and compelled by the difference in Ati, Ibu Jawaria began meeting with Ati, who introduced her to Discovery Bible Stories—starting with the lives of the Old Testament prophets. Ati not only read the stories with her but also trained her to lead these simple yet powerful story-based discussions within her own household.

Each story session included four key questions:

  • What does this teach us about the character of God?
  • What does it teach us about people?
  • How will you personally obey what God is revealing? When will you begin?
  • Who will you share this story with so that they, too, may know God?

As the weeks passed, something deep began to shift within Ibu Jawaria. With each story, she encountered glimpses of a God whose heart was tender, just, and full of grace. Tears flowed freely—tears of release and awakening.

Though she had long sought to live righteously under Islam, Ibu Jawaria came to realize that all her efforts—outward rituals and ceremonial cleansings—could not erase the guilt she carried in her heart. She saw clearly her own capacity to harm others, despite her best intentions. A painful truth settled in: there was a chasm between her and the holy God she so desperately wanted to know.

As she and her family continued their Discovery Bible Study journey, they eventually reached the stories of the New Testament. It was then that the truth pierced their hearts with clarity: only through Isa Al Masih could true forgiveness, peace, and eternal life be found.

That day, the entire household bowed their hearts before Isa. They turned from their own ways and prayed a simple prayer of surrender, placing their trust in the One who alone could bridge the great divide—Isa Al Masih.

Finally, Ibu Jawaria was at peace. She had found the Way. And more than that, she had found the truth and the life.

Later, her husband remarked, “You’re really bold in telling others about Isa Al Masih.”

She smiled and replied, “Of course I am bold—this is the truth!”

Today, Ibu Jawaria shares openly, passionately, and boldly the Good News of Isa. 

She told Ati of her desire to be like the Apostle Paul—unshaken, unafraid, and completely surrendered, even unto death. She and her husband now lead a vibrant, reproducing house church with their extended household, continuing to discover and proclaim the transforming power of Isa Al Masih.

*pseudonym

GIVE UP YOUR WAY: A KEY DISCIPLE-MAKING COMPONENT
They felt led to move to a new area and start a ministry that would open the region to the gospel for the first time. By seeking the Lord themselves, read more …

10 CHARACTERISTICS OF A BOOK OF ACTS CHURCH
A group covenants to follow Jesus together. They are baptized and study and obey God’s word together. They fellowship together and care for one another … 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 …

We Walked as He Parted the Waters

We Walked as He Parted the Waters

Having recently visited three villages, Charlie* and Sarah* were excited to hear that nearby areas had enthusiastically received the new Jesus Film in their language. 

“We knew we needed to join what God was doing by taking the Jesus Film to the people we had visited and beginning to look for persons of peace,” Charlie said. So they gathered a team and got permission to camp on the village beach for just one night.

On the way, they visited a spiritual landmark commemorating the arrival of Islam exactly 400 years prior. They also learned about a strange phenomenon where a strip of land forms during low tide, allowing passage across the ocean on dry sand to reach their destination.

“We sensed God telling us to walk across the sand as He parted the waters,” Charlie says. “Just as God delivered the Israelites from 400 years of slavery, we knew He wanted to deliver the people from 400 years of bondage to Islam. We prayed Exodus 14 and 15 as we walked over the dry sand, then we watched the waters cover the sand as we arrived on the other side.”

A young village chief and his father, the local mosque’s imam, were the first to see the video. As it began, the chief’s jaw dropped, and his eyes widened. “That’s our local language!” he exclaimed. A few hours later, a counselor at a neighboring village school had a similar reaction. “That video was amazing!” 

During their visit, the team collected many phone numbers, left copies of the Jesus Film to be shared, and found out about other villages to visit for future ministry. They praise God for the opportunity to proclaim His name in places that have never before heard the name of Jesus.

*pseudonym

 

A STORM, KOMODO DRAGONS …
One of the stories *Charlie and *Sarah love to share with their neighbors on the island where they live, is the story of 
read more …

GANGS, KNIVES, AND A MOTORCYCLE GANG
Charlie and Sarah met with Ali, who has shown great hunger for reading stories from the Bible about Jesus. read more …

JESUS HEALS AS IS WRITTEN …
“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, read more …

Obedience, Reunion, and Revival

Obedience, Reunion, and Revival

After prayer walking with a local partner, sowing gospel seeds with whoever was receptive, Scott* asked the Lord what he should do with the time before his afternoon appointment. 

Scott felt that he should accompany his friend who was going to a church on the other side of town from his afternoon appointment, so he did. When they arrived, they found Kamnan* and Tida*, a couple Scott had not seen for 20 years.

That morning the Lord had told the couple to find Scott, so they had traveled to the church to inquire after his whereabouts. Their surprisingly immediate reunion with Scott was warm, and they readily accepted his invitation to a disciple-making training he was giving the following week.  

Despite several scheduling conflicts, Kamnan and Tida came. They later said it was a complete revival of their spiritual well-being and reignited a passion they had not felt since becoming new believers.  

Full of faith, they went out to do what they had learned in the training. Through their obedience, God has performed a few miracles, including a demonic exorcism, and several people have become followers of Jesus. 

In reflection, Scott realizes how easily he could have missed out on God’s plan. Had he enacted his own efficient planning that day and not submitted his schedule to the Lord, he would have missed Kamnan and Tida. Their ministry would not have started, and Scott would not have seen what he trusts is an answer to his prayer for new apostolically gifted workers.

*pseudonyms

 

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

VILLAGE REVIVAL
*Malai grew up in a small village in Isaan, Eastern Thailand, but later moved to the larger city of Chiang Mai,
read more …

FLAT TIRE—DIVINE APPOINTMENT
*Mulamdon and *Maht had been thriving as disciples under the guidance of *Chai and *Nong for several months  read more …

“I, TOO WILL FOLLOW JESUS”
Lotus flowers dotted the beautiful pond – the perfect setting for a simple baptism in eastern Thailand.   read more …

Faith On Wheels

Faith On Wheels

*Mina, a woman from Delhi, works as a school bus driver. She is completely illiterate and comes from a low caste, yet her faith and obedience to Christ have made her a powerful disciple-maker. After hearing Bible stories and engaging in Discovery Bible Studies, she gave her life to Jesus. Since then, God has raised up a team of 10–15 women who partner with her in making disciples.

Because of her work, Mina encounters many people in difficult circumstances—people in great need of hope. She shares the gospel boldly wherever she goes. One of the people she met was *Kay, a woman trapped in addiction and prostitution. Her drug dependence had shattered her life, driving her husband away and leaving her without her children.

Over the course of several months, Mina patiently met with Kay, sharing God’s Word with her. As Kay studied the Bible and applied its truths to her life, she began to experience emotional and spiritual healing. She eventually left behind her old way of life and became a follower of Jesus. Transformed by God’s love, Kay started sharing Bible stories with others, stepping into the role of a disciple-maker herself.

Today, Kay is a leader in a house church and a key part of Mina’s disciple-making team. To help Kay rebuild her life, Mina assisted her in purchasing a rickshaw, enabling her to launch a ladies-only rickshaw service. This business not only provides for her needs but also creates daily opportunities to share the gospel with the women she meets.

Praise God for the fruit and restoration that have come through the obedience of these two women!

Pray for Mina and Kay as they continue to boldly proclaim Jesus in this city of over 33 million people. Ask the Lord to protect them, strengthen them, and multiply their efforts as they make disciples who make disciples.

*pseudonym

RELATED STORIES

MAKING DISCIPLES DESPITE THEIR GRIEF
In January, tragedy struck a team in North India as they lost a key leader to a sudden brain hemorrhage. 
read more …

WOMEN IN INDIA FEARLESSLY SHARING THE GOSPEL
The Listening Movement held its first Women Leaders meeting last year where several women gathered to , read more …

SIMPLICITY VERSUS TRADITION
Lata* lives in North India. A few years ago, she was a regular church attendee, but her family did not  read more …

Eid Al Adha

Eid Al Adha

Every year Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha (June 6), the Feast of Sacrifice. It is considered to be one of the most significant holidays of the year and is celebrated for one to four days, depending on regional cultural norms. Eid al-Adha marks Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael, his son by Hagar. God, however, seeing Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, provided a ram to sacrifice in Ishmael’s place. 

Muslim families remember Abraham’s willingness to serve God by slaughtering a costly animal — a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. The animal is divided into thirds; one-third is kept for one’s own family, one-third for friends and neighbors, and one-third is given to the poor. 

Join us in prayer for Muslims during Eid al-Adha:

  • Ask God to show Muslims that He provided the ultimate sacrifice for us, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29b)
  • Pray that Muslims will understand Jesus’ sacrifice. “People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” (Romans 3:25b)
  • Pray the Good News of Jesus’ sacrifice will be joyfully shared among family, friends, and neighbors, producing a wave of new followers of Jesus Christ.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

VESAK
The celebration honors Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. Many believe that … LEARN MORE

THE NIGHT OF POWER
…the night when Mohammed is thought to have begun receiving the … LEARN MORE

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