Empowering Leaders in Asia
Despite Persecution, the Church Grows
We were serving in the creative-access country when we received the request to teach English to the parents of local kids at a bilingual school. Through these classes, a number became followers of Christ and, being in a country where churches are actively persecuted, these believers met in small groups in private homes.
The Lord moved among this fledgling group. With great enthusiasm, they shared their faith, led others to Christ, and saw the spirit move as he grew their little church. Initially, they looked to us as foreigners to lead, especially in spiritual matters. However, recognizing that we would not be able to be primary leaders in the group because we could be kicked out at any time, we encouraged brother W* to lead these house church services. He grew rapidly in confidence as a leader, as well as in his knowledge of the Word.
About 1 ½ years after they started meeting, a number of members were ready to profess their faith through baptism. This kind of declaration of faith is a significant step in a country where believers are persecuted, so in order to keep them safe, the baptisms were done in the privacy of one member's back yard, in a blow-up children’s pool.
Brother W was baptized by our missionary friend first. However, it was critical that brother W be empowered to lead, so as soon as he was baptized, he toweled off, put on dry clothes, stepped back into the pool, and proceeded to baptize the other five adults and two children.
What a thrill to see God move. Leaders were being empowered, believers were being multiplied, and churches were growing and maturing. Sadly, a few months later, we were forced to leave the land we had grown to love, but by God’s grace, the church that was started still meets and is multiplying and being led by the Spirit through its dedicated and growing new leaders.
P and M*
*Name withheld for security reason.