Portraits of Courage
In this challenging season when our world is in disarray, I would like to introduce you to something new- a fresh idea that will bring you encouragement.
God is active and still at work! We will see Him working if we ask, and He will reveal what He is doing and how we can join in. With this thought in mind, I’d like to share with you glimpses of other people and places where God and His people are making a difference. Places where we from The Way Church are also making a difference. Locally, regionally, and internationally.
I hope these brief “Portraits of Courage” – stories of believers bold enough to go and share the Gospel and hearers brave enough to respond to His call - will lift you up and also challenge you to step out as one who loves Jesus and is called to his purposes. The first one is just below.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!”
I Chronicles 16:8
Bless you!
Pastor Mark
P.S.- For the safety of our friends sharing their stories, please do not distribute these without permission.
------
Hello,
I would like to share with you about my journey from small-town Muslim boy to a devoted Christian missionary.
I was born in one country in Asia but moved to another country when I was 2 years old, in the family of 4 children.
Life was not easy back then – we haven’t had much at the time, my mom had to work several jobs to support our family after my dad left. From a very early age I knew I was Muslim, my friends were Muslims, and almost everyone in my school were Muslims. Our family was not religious, but Islam was our identity.
Growing up I always believed that there is “Someone”, a god or a universe, up there. I didn’t know who that “Someone” actually was until my junior year in college. Back in 2013 I was wresting with depression. I remember I felt this giant void in my heart and every day for me was a struggle. At the time, I had enough of everything: money, friends, I was one of the top students in college. However, that deep emptiness in my heart was always there. I was striving to achieve as much as possible, but at the end of the day, it was never enough.
In late 2013, I met John, a missionary from USA (obviously, I didn’t know it back then). We instantly became friends; we would hang out almost every day. Very soon, I started to notice something “different” about him. He was different… from anyone else I knew. I remember how one night were hanging out and John and his roommate Thomas opened the Bible and started to read from it. It made me very angry – I knew I belonged to Islam.
However, I came back next week. We were reading Mathew 7:7 (“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”). I was struggling but decided to “ask” God to reveal Himself to me.
I continued to come to Bible studies every week, I’d ask questions about Jesus, crucifixion, salvation. My interest was growing. Two months later I was standing on the bus stop, thinking about everything I’ve learned recently – and suddenly I was filled with this great, indescribable, amazing joy – I realized that I believe in Jesus. Jesus, who died on the cross to save me, Jesus who loved me so much, I could not contain the joy – for the first time I felt complete – the void was gone.
Soon after, I realized I want to serve the Lord – I had no idea what to do, but I knew I have to do something. I knew that God will use my passion to tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ somehow. The Great Commandment imprinted on my heart – like Jesus spoke directly to me. Then the opportunity presented itself. I realized I can help others meet Jesus the same way I met Him – through student ministry. I started volunteering while I was still a student. After graduation, I joined this organization and moved to our main city.
Now years later, looking back at last six years of my life I feel nothing but gratitude for everything that God had done so far. Can’t wait to see what He will do next!
*Names and locations changed for security purposes.
God is active and still at work! We will see Him working if we ask, and He will reveal what He is doing and how we can join in. With this thought in mind, I’d like to share with you glimpses of other people and places where God and His people are making a difference. Places where we from The Way Church are also making a difference. Locally, regionally, and internationally.
I hope these brief “Portraits of Courage” – stories of believers bold enough to go and share the Gospel and hearers brave enough to respond to His call - will lift you up and also challenge you to step out as one who loves Jesus and is called to his purposes. The first one is just below.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!”
I Chronicles 16:8
Bless you!
Pastor Mark
P.S.- For the safety of our friends sharing their stories, please do not distribute these without permission.
------
Hello,
I would like to share with you about my journey from small-town Muslim boy to a devoted Christian missionary.
I was born in one country in Asia but moved to another country when I was 2 years old, in the family of 4 children.
Life was not easy back then – we haven’t had much at the time, my mom had to work several jobs to support our family after my dad left. From a very early age I knew I was Muslim, my friends were Muslims, and almost everyone in my school were Muslims. Our family was not religious, but Islam was our identity.
Growing up I always believed that there is “Someone”, a god or a universe, up there. I didn’t know who that “Someone” actually was until my junior year in college. Back in 2013 I was wresting with depression. I remember I felt this giant void in my heart and every day for me was a struggle. At the time, I had enough of everything: money, friends, I was one of the top students in college. However, that deep emptiness in my heart was always there. I was striving to achieve as much as possible, but at the end of the day, it was never enough.
In late 2013, I met John, a missionary from USA (obviously, I didn’t know it back then). We instantly became friends; we would hang out almost every day. Very soon, I started to notice something “different” about him. He was different… from anyone else I knew. I remember how one night were hanging out and John and his roommate Thomas opened the Bible and started to read from it. It made me very angry – I knew I belonged to Islam.
However, I came back next week. We were reading Mathew 7:7 (“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”). I was struggling but decided to “ask” God to reveal Himself to me.
I continued to come to Bible studies every week, I’d ask questions about Jesus, crucifixion, salvation. My interest was growing. Two months later I was standing on the bus stop, thinking about everything I’ve learned recently – and suddenly I was filled with this great, indescribable, amazing joy – I realized that I believe in Jesus. Jesus, who died on the cross to save me, Jesus who loved me so much, I could not contain the joy – for the first time I felt complete – the void was gone.
Soon after, I realized I want to serve the Lord – I had no idea what to do, but I knew I have to do something. I knew that God will use my passion to tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ somehow. The Great Commandment imprinted on my heart – like Jesus spoke directly to me. Then the opportunity presented itself. I realized I can help others meet Jesus the same way I met Him – through student ministry. I started volunteering while I was still a student. After graduation, I joined this organization and moved to our main city.
Now years later, looking back at last six years of my life I feel nothing but gratitude for everything that God had done so far. Can’t wait to see what He will do next!
*Names and locations changed for security purposes.
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