Bold Witness

“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.” Acts 14:3, NIV.

When I first started working among a Muslim people group, I was so afraid of saying something offensive that I ended up not giving them the gospel. One of my children became seriously ill, and I had resigned myself to the fact that we’d have to leave the country and never return. Before I left I decided to share boldly with Al*, one of my best local friends. Since it was my last chance, I really wanted him to hear the gospel.

A few months later, my child’s health issues miraculously resolved, and I found myself headed back! My stomach began to churn as I remembered how bold I had been with Al. When we met again I tried to be nonchalant and talk about non-religious topics.

Al leaned in to me and said, “Hey, I believe what you do.”

My reaction was to argue. “I know you think you do,” I said. “And some of our beliefs are similar, but you really don’t believe what I believe.”

“Listen to me, John,” Al replied. “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” That stopped me cold. Al went on to explain what he believed, and he was right. He did believe what I believed! From that moment on I decided that my people needed to hear the gospel, even if it offended some and even if my presentation wasn’t perfect. I had seen that truth and boldness can cover a multitude of sins!

Shortly after becoming a follower of Jesus, Al led his wife and several neighbors to faith. He was one of the first followers in his people group to be baptized. Today, there are over 70 people in Al’s neighborhood who are believers. They have gathered into two different groups to regularly worship and study the Bible.

*Names changes for security reasons. Written by a Last Frontier Missionary serving in Pacific Rim.

Pray that:

God will continue to bless Al’s boldness and draw many of his people to faith in Christ.

Many missionaries like John will be bolder witnesses so that the lost peoples of Pacific Rim will have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.