In South Asia, big decisions are made with the consent of community, presenting a barrier to the gospel. Even those who respond positively to the message of Christ resist belief for fear of losing their family and friends.
A team of short-term missionaries repeatedly faced this challenge in the Himalayan foothills, and an East-West national partner had an idea for combating it.
He called the villagers together for a gospel presentation.
With a captive audience, Brian*—one of the missionaries—shared God’s story from creation to Christ’s glorious resurrection and ended with a simple question … Do you believe that Jesus died and rose from the grave for your sins?
While some of the villagers sheepishly looked around, one man eager shook his head up and down. He believed in Jesus and boldly made it known to the group.
His courage inspired others as they, too, confessed Christ as Lord and Savior. Before the missionary team’s eyes, a new church formed as households came to saving faith in the gospel.
They gave Bibles to the new believers and taught them how to read the Scriptures before trekking to the next unreached village on their mission to proclaim God’s love and grace.
*Name changed for security reasons