Our vision in Central Asia is to see a movement of disciples making disciples. However, many of the people in this part of the world are very closed to the idea of becoming a follower of Jesus. In order to address this problem, our team is training the local church how to effectively engage their communities with the gospel. As people are exposed to the word of God and are sacrificially served, many hearts are being softened; deep and meaningful relationships are being built. We need more workers to come and be salt and light to the people of Central Asia. Could God be calling you to go?
I want to share with you a story about one man named Friday that is doing this in his small village. Friday has been a believer for some time now, but his wife and children are not. He was able to attend a training that was conducted in a nearby town. He left that time encouraged and with a plan to reach his family, neighbors, and co-workers. The first step of his plan was to pray each morning for open doors to share a spiritual truth or to serve someone in need.
One of Friday's neighbors has had a drinking problem for many years. This, of course, had caused many troubles in his home. He had heard the about the Bible and Jesus before, but had always had a very negative reaction. Friday and his wife could hear the dishes and furniture crash to the ground one night as this neighbor fought with his wife. The next day, they learned that that had been the last straw and that this man was now living out on the street. After a few nights, he eventually found a cramped apartment in the center of town. Since he had no furniture, he simply slept on the floor.
Not long after, as Friday was driving home from work, he noticed a man throwing a couch out on the curb. He asked, "Excuse me, what are you doing with that couch?" The man replied, "I bought a new one and don't need this old one anymore." "Do you mind if I take it?" Friday quickly asked. The man agreed and Friday hoisted the couch up on the roof of his car and sped away. He arrived at his estranged neighbor's apartment and hauled the couch up the stairs. After much effort he knocked on the door and was met by a gruff face. "What do you want?" "I brought you a couch for your apartment." "Why would you give me a couch?" Friday thought for a moment, then replied, "Jesus wants you to have this couch." Friday saw the man's countenance change as they, together, moved the couch into the unfurnished apartment.
After they got everything settled and sat down to rest, the man looked over at Friday and said, "Tell me more about this Jesus." Friday was ready with his Bible and opened up to the book of Genesis and began telling him story after story of how God created everything, called Abraham, and promised to send the suffering servant that would take the world's sins upon Himself. With each story, this man became more and more aware of his need for forgiveness. At the end Friday asked him, "Will you follow Jesus?" The man answered with his eyes tearing up, "Yes!" Friday has since been meeting regularly with this new disciple, not only teaching him, but showing him what it means to be a follower of Jesus in this part of the world where believers are few and far between.
Learn More about our Central Asia Ministry
