Unreached Peoples

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

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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

“I am Jesus Christ Who Loves You”

Mar 19, 2025 | NAME, Stories

A woman from a strong Islamic family attended the most recent Disciple Making Movement training Danish* held. She had previously hated everything about Christianity. She had even been a militant fighter from her people group, and wished to see all Christians dead.

But God started talking with her through a friend who shared about Jesus, through a Discovery Bible Study (DBS)-type approach. The woman completely resisted all messages about Jesus.

Then after a while, another friend approached her with a DBS. Because of the things she was hearing, she decided to fast during Ramadan to protect herself from the “evil thoughts” of Christianity.

During her fast, she started to “hear in her ear” about God’s love, and how He sent his Son to save all the world. She didn’t know these were verses from the Bible, but she heard them over and over in her spirit.

Then one night, while she was lying in bed, she saw a huge light come into her room. Suddenly, she saw Christ! She was shaken and afraid.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I am Jesus Christ, who loves you,” He said, “and who you do not yet love.”

She woke up, left her room and went outside in an attempt to shake off what had just happened, but Jesus revealed himself to her two or three more times.

Today, this woman leads many other ladies who share Discovery Bible Studies from place to place. She is a strong tool for God’s work in an area with many hostile influences trying to undermine the gospel.

*pseudonym

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The Night of Power (Laylat Al-Qadr)

Mar 19, 2025 | Stories

Laylat Al-Qadr (the Night of Power, Night of Destiny, or Night of Decree) is the holiest night of Ramadan. It is the night when Mohammed is thought to have begun receiving the Qur’an. The exact night is disputed, so Muslims hold special observances for the last ten days of Ramadan. Some will practice itikaf, a sort of spiritual retreat where one stays in a mosque for the whole ten days in order to worship and attach oneself closer to God.

The Night of Power is said to be worth 1000 months and, as the gates of Paradise are open for this one night, it carries blessings beyond those of other nights in Ramadan. It is believed that if on this night, one stays awake and applies themself to prayer, meditation, and the reading of the Qur’an, their previous sins will be forgiven and the rest of the year, which is determined on al-Qadr, will be blessed.

This night has been significant in recent history for the Church as well. There have been numerous accounts of Muslims who, earnestly and passionately seeking a revelation of God over Al-Qadr met Isa al Masih (Jesus the Messiah) in their dreams. Typically these dreams reveal, in whole or in part, the true way to righteousness with God, a relationship with Jesus Christ. These dreams have been instrumental in bringing the gospel into areas previously prohibitive for evangelism. Several of our partners have said Ramadan is one of the most fruitful times for evangelism due to Muslim’s heightened spiritual focus.

HOW TO PRAY:
Pray for Muslims to have miraculous encounters with Jesus while praying during the Night of Power. (John 20:30-31)

Pray for Muslims to have a revelation of the forgiveness offered through Jesus. (Titus 3:5)

Pray for Christian workers to have the opportunity to pray in Jesus’ name for their Muslim friends.

THE NIGHT OF POWER AND THE INFIDEL

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“I have some great news to tell you,” Job shared with Frank over the phone. “I’m ready to follow Jesus!” read more …