Stories from the Field: Seed, Sower, & Harvest

This post comes from a personal interview with an STN Outreach Team Member. 

Chris* and Mr. A struck up a conversation during a going-away party for Chris's team, who had spent their time in Asia working with students of all ages who wanted to learn English as a second language. This program, put into place by long-term missionaries, provided Mr. A with his first chance to hear the name of Jesus and plant the seed of salvation in his heart.

Mr. A lost his wife in a car accident several years ago, and his children are grown and some live in the U.S.. Like so many others in this particular Asian country, Mr. A's heart was wrapped up in Buddhism, hopelessness, and loneliness. Because the seed had been planted by the career missionaries, Chris nurtured it as he went to a deeper level in his communication with Mr. A that evening and for months over email after Chris returned home. Through their time of continued communication, Mr. A found that he clearly understood the purpose of Christ's death: the grace, mercy, hope, and freedom that he had never known came into view.  The Gospel showed Mr. A that he could not only have peace in this life but that he also has an eternal purpose.

 Through this time of personal discipleship, Mr. A finally surrendered to the hope and encouragement he had experienced. He surrendered to Christ. Mr. A is so full of joy, and he shares his new faith with his family. We share this harvest with those career missionaries, who planted the seed, and the local churches that will continue to disciple people like Mr. A. We share it with those who write literature and create films like the Jesus Film. We also share it with you, our partners and donors, who continually support efforts to bring the children of Christ back into His Kingdom. We thank you, and we know that we will all rejoice together in Heaven!

 ^"But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" 1st Corinthians 1:30 & 31







*Name changed to maintain security and protection of our School to the Nations team member

Focus on the Unreached: The Mountain People

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Isaiah 45:8 

"You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the LORD, have created it.”

Several years ago, School to the Nations began prayer that the Lord would bring us an Unreached People Group in Asia.  Part of our campus prayer trail is dedicated to UPGs in Asia and the Lord brought this desire to fruition when we were able to make connections in Asia that would later help us reach these people far up in the mountains. Some of our staff took a vision tour to these beautiful Mountain People, who are shut off completely from the Gospel where they live in extremely remote jungles. Although we set off to find one group, we ended up spending only a short period there before moving on to another area and another people group also living in the extreme terrain of these mountains. God surely led us to each of these groups and the team was warmly accepted and brought into living daily life with these people, despite the language barrier.  Deeply invested in their religion of animism and folk Buddhism, these people are truly in need of the love of Christ. Several relationships were formed between the Mountain People and our team, but they were unable to share the Gospel in this area. Because of the political and religious barriers, we are in a long-term and very strategic partnership with another organization in Asia to bring the hope of Christ to these wonderful people. We call it The Bamboo Cross Project.

Pray.

 Isaiah 59:16 “And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”

Although God has no limitations, our movement in this area will be especially slow and cautious, and we need a lot of prayer! As God calls us to an intercessory prayer movement, we hope that you will join us. The darkness over the lives of the Mountain People cannot and will not be brightened by the Gospel without a fervent and continual prayer movement, and there is much planning yet needed to get us there.

•          Pray that the Lord will bring intercessors – strong people of prayer to begin the spiritual battle of getting the Gospel to the Mountain People! If you would like to get more information about our passion and need for intercessors, please contact us at stn.intercession@gmail.com so that we can connect with you. It is so important to us to equip those who want to be a part of this movement. Please know that intercessory prayer is powerful Kingdom work!
•         Pray for Houses of Peace to be prepared by the Holy Spirit, hearts that are being opened to the Gospel before our team even arrives.
•         Pray for the team that will be returning to the Mountain People in the next year. Specifically pray for their finances, health, spiritual wellness, and that they will be encouraged and passionate with a peace that passes all understanding.
•          Pray for government favor and good connections in this area.