Happy to Hear

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation…” Isaiah 52:7, NIV.

After a fruitless three months of sharing the Gospel among the Be-Nu* people, one of the many unreached Muslim people groups in the Pacific Rim, Luke found an open individual in an unlikely spot. While waiting in line in a government office, Luke met Ben. Ben was 38 years old, and he did not have more than an elementary school education.

Luke shared the Gospel with Ben while in line, but Ben didn’t come to a point of decision. However, he did invite Luke to come share with Him again at his home. Later that week, Luke met with Ben again and shared the Words of Life with him. Again Ben made no decision.

Luke decided to introduce Ben to another friend who taught at a seminary in a nearby city. The teacher came into town and met Luke and Ben in the town square. As the teacher shared about Jesus, Ben made the comment, “You know I could get fifty friends together who would be happy to hear what you are telling me.”

Ben decided to follow Jesus after hearing the teacher. He immediately went home to his wife and shared about his Lord. At first his wife was offended, but that did not slow Ben down in sharing what he had found. Persecution followed shortly after Ben began sharing with people.

Both the military and local police started to harass Ben. He was threatened with a 14-year jail term if he kept telling people about Jesus. Ben’s response was to witness to the police in the station, and several of them later came to faith.

Three local newspapers ran articles trying to pressure Ben into silence, but as the pressure increased Ben became even bolder. Luke went to encourage Ben. Ben said, “Luke, when Jesus saved me He told me to take up my cross and follow. That is what I’m doing.”

Within ten months of Ben coming to faith he has already led others to faith in 26 different villages and has started 12 active groups of believers. He hasn’t been imprisoned yet, but regardless of that possibility, Ben continues to share because he knows many of his people will be happy to hear the truth he has found.

*Names of the people group and individuals have been changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

God will bless Ben’s boldness and many more groups of believers will be formed as he shares the Gospel.

Ben’s example will give boldness to other believers even in the face of persecution.

The Gospel will rapidly spread among the Be-Nu people.

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