Recap:

This morning at Cross Points Church, we have the privilege of hearing from four missionaries, each sharing powerful testimonies of God’s work around the world. We want everyone to hear these stories firsthand as they illustrate faith, resilience, and surrender to God’s will.

The first missionary to speak was John (Name protected), who, with his family, lives in the Middle East. He described the challenges faced by missionaries in his country, where the government actively opposes their presence. Over the past year, 70-80% of the missionaries in his region have left, many forced out, arrested, or harassed. These weren’t just colleagues but close friends, people who became like family, sharing in everyday life, celebrations, and even the thrill of watching sports together. Now, John faces the painful reality that many of these dear friends are gone, some permanently. Despite the immense challenges, he and his family continue, fueled by the hope of Revelation 7:9, which promises a day when people from every nation, tribe, and language will stand before God, worshiping Him. John shared inspiring stories of local believers who, despite persecution and police interrogations, remain steadfast in their faith, bringing hope to their community.

Following John was a speaker who shared his story of surrender and trust. Twenty-four years ago, he seemed to have it all—success in the video game industry, wealth, and freedom. Yet, an encounter with God led him on a new path with Youth with a Mission (YWAM), taking him from comfort to the frontlines of mission work. He recounted leaving behind a life of material comfort and personal ambition to follow a deeper calling in countries where the gospel was unknown. He described moments of struggle and upheaval, including a move to Africa that resulted in an immediate evacuation due to civil war. Even in this uncertainty, he saw God’s hand leading him to a new place where he could share the gospel with people fleeing the same conflict. Over the years, his family has established a school, reaching hundreds of children and families. As he recounted God’s faithfulness, he encouraged the congregation to hold onto the promises of Philippians 4 and Matthew 28, which remind us that God is with us, bringing peace to those who trust Him.

Next came Paul, a dedicated missionary from South Asia, where he and his wife have spent decades training locals to become biblical storytellers. He explained that in many areas, literacy is a barrier to understanding the Bible. By teaching local believers to memorize and narrate Bible stories, Paul and his team are empowering them to spread the gospel in communities that cannot read. He shared a powerful story of Sanja, a young believer who memorized nearly 100 Bible stories and shared them with classmates, leading many to Christ. Even under persecution, Sanja and his brother, who was miraculously revived after an attack, remain committed to spreading the gospel, now reaching eight unreached villages. Paul urged the congregation to consider how they might answer God’s call to share His story.

Lastly, Sandy Gould shared her journey with YWAM in Colorado Springs, focusing on her work in discipleship and Bible training. Sandy described her experience with Youth with a Mission’s Discipleship Bible School, where young believers read the entire Bible aloud, learning to tell the overarching story of Scripture. This school is training a new generation who are passionate about understanding and sharing their faith. Sandy emphasized the importance of surrendering personal expectations to follow God’s lead, just as Philip in Acts 8 obeyed God’s call to minister to an Ethiopian official. She challenged the congregation to respond to God with an “unqualified yes,” regardless of qualifications or comfort zones.

In closing, these missionaries offered their testimonies as a reminder that God’s call often takes unexpected turns, asking for obedience, trust, and surrender. The morning was a powerful reminder that whether near or far, every believer is called to share the message of Christ and embrace God’s promise to be with them always, even to the end of the age.

 

Group Questions:

Reflecting on Testimonies

  1. John’s Story: John shared the reality of losing many of his missionary friends due to government opposition. How does this affect your view of what it means to be a missionary? What can we learn from the resilience of local believers he mentioned?
  2. Surrender and Trust: One missionary left a life of material success for mission work, enduring hardship and uncertainty. How does his story challenge your own perspectives on success and security? What might God be calling you to surrender or trust Him with?
  3. Storytelling as Ministry: Paul discussed training people to tell Bible stories in a region with low literacy. Why do you think storytelling is such an effective method of sharing the gospel? Have you ever seen storytelling used to communicate faith?
  4. Unqualified Yes: Sandy talked about the importance of saying “yes” to God without hesitation. Reflect on a time when you felt prompted to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? What might hold you back from an “unqualified yes” today?

Digging Deeper into Scripture and Faith

  1. Hope of Revelation 7:9: John’s family is sustained by the hope of a future where all nations worship together. How does this vision impact your own faith? How might this promise affect the way you pray or act toward others in your community?
  2. God’s Faithfulness in Uncertainty: The second missionary highlighted verses from Philippians 4 and Matthew 28 to demonstrate God’s presence and peace. In what ways have you experienced God’s peace during uncertain or challenging times? How can these promises encourage us when we face hardship?
  3. The Call to Share God’s Story: Paul encouraged believers to answer God’s call to share His story. Reflect on how God has worked in your life recently. How might you share this with someone else in a way that reflects His love and power?

Applying What We’ve Learned

  1. The Cost of Following God: The missionaries shared stories of surrender, sacrifice, and resilience. What are some ways that we, as a small group, can support those who sacrifice for the gospel, whether they are local or abroad?
  2. Living as Missionaries in Daily Life: While these missionaries serve in different parts of the world, their stories remind us that we are all called to share Christ’s message. What are some practical ways you can “go and tell” in your community this week?
  3. Prayer and Support for Missionaries: After hearing these testimonies, how can we specifically pray for these missionaries and others facing similar challenges? Are there other tangible ways we can support them?