Portraits of Courage: Ministry on the Run
Imagine coming to faith in Jesus Christ and having your own father put a price on your head!
Yes, this month’s true story of believers who risk it all to follow Jesus is a very real one.
Jesus’ words recorded in Mark Chapter 10, come to life in a real way here. Just after speaking to the rich young ruler about how to be saved, we read these words:
“And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”
The italicized words are mine. “With persecutions”. Jesus speaks of eternal reward- but He includes the fact there will be persecution against those who follow Him.
Hamid and Bahareh – not their real names – decided they must leave Iran immediately. When she had shared her new faith with her parents, it was not received well. Her father spread the word that Bahareh must be killed because of her choice. As a government official, he had the contacts to make it happen. The young couple immediately fled, crossing into neighboring Turkey illegally. Leaving behind their jobs, their possessions, and the life they knew, Bahareh was sad that her parents took this position. But this only strengthened her resolve to pray for their salvation.
Eventually finding a place to live and some work, the young couple set about to find a local group of believers. Once these issues were addressed, they had a growing burden in their hearts to share the truth of Jesus Christ and his offer of salvation to those from their home country. Realizing many Iranians came into Turkey for leisurely vacations on the country’s beautiful beaches and the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, they began their work. Due to their intentional efforts to evangelize, many came to faith! In one month alone, they saw 12 people decide to give their lives to Jesus- a very dangerous thing to do when you live in a Muslim country. Hamid baptized many of them before these vacationers returned home to the persecution that was sure to follow.
God’s hand was with them, and eventually, Hamid and Bahareh were connected to a ministry leader from Asia. This dynamic leader had recently relocated to Istanbul with his family after finishing his degree at Denver Seminary. Their partnership has been a blessing!
Our recent team to Asia was able to spend the day with Hamid and Bahareh during our layover in Istanbul on the way back to Colorado. There’s much more to their story, but theirs is certainly a portrait of courage- and a testimony to what happens when we trust Jesus with our entire lives and not just for salvation!
Yes, this month’s true story of believers who risk it all to follow Jesus is a very real one.
Jesus’ words recorded in Mark Chapter 10, come to life in a real way here. Just after speaking to the rich young ruler about how to be saved, we read these words:
“And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”
The italicized words are mine. “With persecutions”. Jesus speaks of eternal reward- but He includes the fact there will be persecution against those who follow Him.
Hamid and Bahareh – not their real names – decided they must leave Iran immediately. When she had shared her new faith with her parents, it was not received well. Her father spread the word that Bahareh must be killed because of her choice. As a government official, he had the contacts to make it happen. The young couple immediately fled, crossing into neighboring Turkey illegally. Leaving behind their jobs, their possessions, and the life they knew, Bahareh was sad that her parents took this position. But this only strengthened her resolve to pray for their salvation.
Eventually finding a place to live and some work, the young couple set about to find a local group of believers. Once these issues were addressed, they had a growing burden in their hearts to share the truth of Jesus Christ and his offer of salvation to those from their home country. Realizing many Iranians came into Turkey for leisurely vacations on the country’s beautiful beaches and the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, they began their work. Due to their intentional efforts to evangelize, many came to faith! In one month alone, they saw 12 people decide to give their lives to Jesus- a very dangerous thing to do when you live in a Muslim country. Hamid baptized many of them before these vacationers returned home to the persecution that was sure to follow.
God’s hand was with them, and eventually, Hamid and Bahareh were connected to a ministry leader from Asia. This dynamic leader had recently relocated to Istanbul with his family after finishing his degree at Denver Seminary. Their partnership has been a blessing!
Our recent team to Asia was able to spend the day with Hamid and Bahareh during our layover in Istanbul on the way back to Colorado. There’s much more to their story, but theirs is certainly a portrait of courage- and a testimony to what happens when we trust Jesus with our entire lives and not just for salvation!
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