Eager to benefit from the interest in tourism, the local government has made it easy for foreigners to obtain tourist residence visas. However, this provision is not sufficient for church planters like Peter to live there for the purpose of sharing the gospel and remain there long-term.

The local government and nationals love the tourists, but are extremely suspicious of foreign residents. One of the best ways to naturally build trust with nationals is to get involved in normal daily life. Simply, your life has to make sense to the community – and jumping into local commerce is one way of doing this. For this to happen legally, however, a work permit is needed. Due to massive unemployment and a general desire to save jobs for locals, this is extremely difficult to do.

For Peter, answering the question, “what do you do?” is very important. This is why obtaining a work permit that would allow him to engage in the local economy and remain in the country has been a priority for him. In order to share the gospel effectively, church planters must be trusted and it usually takes more than honesty, charm, and a winsome personality to earn trust in his area. He knew he needed to fit in a culturally-relevant vocational category, but to do this he needed a work permit.

It has been difficult for Peter to determine how to obtain such a permit. Recently, however, as he got to know others in his city, Peter met a local business man who wanted to hire him to help his business and serve the local community. Peter accepted, and soon after the necessary work permit was granted. It allows Peter to stay in the country and build relationships and trust with the locals. We’re praising God for this provision.

Peter’s story highlights the importance of work permits. Many visas are available to church planters overseas, but they have cumbersome requirements such as mandating that the holder exit the country every few months or limiting how much they can engage in local community. Work permits are a critical part of church planters like Peter remaining on the field. Recognizing this, Access Partners will continue to respond to this unique need by seeking to build businesses that can supply work permits to church planters among unreached people groups.

*Name changed for security reasons

Culture and religion are intertwined. Although other religions are practiced, Hinduism influences many aspects of life, both unifying and diversifying the country. While some holidays and traditions are observed by all four Hindu castes, each of the castes and thousands of sub-castes have different deities, traditions, and family customs.

North India is home to 500 million people – most of whom do not know Christ.

Spirituality and piety are common in India. Very rarely does someone claim not to believe in a higher power. The powers they worship, however, are those in the Hindu pantheon, the Allah of Islam, or the varied gods of Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and animism. Christians account for only 0.1% of North India’s population, making it one of the least reached regions of the world.

However, with 500 million people calling North India home, 0.1% is still five hundred thousand people calling Christ Lord. Despite the cultural dislike and suspicion of Christianity there, the gospel is advancing.

For believers, it can be difficult living among people who view their faith as the ‘Western religion’ left over from the British Raj. The temptation always exists to quietly practice without sharing the Good News. This fear of rejection has sadly resulted in pockets of nominal Christianity, especially in urban areas.

However, the growth of the Church in India shows that not all Christians are shrinking back. Over the past two decades there has been a slow but steady establishment of faithful, Bible teaching churches in urban areas, and a growing conviction among young Christians there to study God’s word.

In the rural regions, response to the Gospel has been great particularly among the Dalit, or the lowest Hindu caste, which is not even counted among the major four. Thousands of rural churches have sprung up as people there have repented and believed in Christ. In a country where religious freedom is legal, but conversion difficult or even illegal at times, this is very encouraging.

AP is considering expanding our work to include India. God is worthy of India’s praise and we desire to see many there saved from their sins through His Gospel, just as in the other places we’re working.

AP has a friend in India who has helped us know how to better pray for the people there. Please join us in praying for India, as well as for us as we possibly begin work there.

• Pray that the believers in India would be bold and willing to take risks in sharing the gospel despite persecution.
• Pray that God would soften the hearts of government leaders in regions that have laws making conversion difficult, so the laws can be changed and Christians can bear witness without fear.
• Pray that God would raise up theologically sound, passionate Indian men to be pastors who exemplify what they teach and believe.
• Pray that God would make a way for theologically faithful teaching in India to help equip pastors to teach the Bible.
• Pray for our friend, who is a church planter in North India. Pray that God would bless his work.

Praise God for this member’s creativity

Pray for an affordable apartment for meetings with room to grow

Pray that this new local church would reach their community with the Gospel

Day 1 –
Last night, we attended a small church which met on a busy commercial street.  I later learned that many other churches meet at this location throughout the week.  During the service, I didn’t understand a single word that was said, but I recognized the music and the joy in the room.  God is doing much in this part of the world, and there is much work for us to do, too.  Churches like these encourage those working in the field, who can often feel weary from the threat of persecution and from carrying the burden of the lost on their hearts.  When we adjourned there was excitement to meet again.

I attended a weekly prayer meeting later in the week. The people sitting around the table were precious.  One man told me that he and his pastor had been sentenced to over 7 years in prison because of their faith and the work they did to disciple believers.  Praise God that he was able to serve less than 1 year of the sentence.  No doubt a shorter sentence was good news, but it was obvious the experience had affected him deeply. He was wary even as he shared his story with fellow believers, fearful that if he was caught in his new home doing similar work, he would be deported for his faith.  If he were to be caught and sent back to his home country, the punishment there would be severe.

Another man shared that he had recently lost his cell phone.  He was clearly upset.  When I asked if he was upset because of the inconvenience or the potential risk, he responded, “both.”  The loss potentially exposed many of his church contacts to harm.  I noticed the familiar look of great burden, but also the abounding joy that comes from faith.

Day 3 –
I was blessed to be with friends today.  After sharing dinner out, one friend said it was likely that we were the only two Christians there that night.  Considering we were at a rather large shopping center, this was a sobering statement.  Spiritual poverty is a heartbreaking reality here, and the look on the faces of the local people evidences the spiritual void.

Day 7 –
Access Partners’ work here is encouraging.  The business I visited has been a wonderful blessing to church planters here, giving them access to people they would never otherwise meet and allowing them to build a loving if small community within the company.  It’s an excellent example of how a Business-as-Mission company can be a shining light in the midst of darkness.

While en route to the airport to travel to another part of Central Asia, I found myself talking with a taxi driver who spoke basic conversational English.  In God’s kindness, our conversation turned to the gospel, and I am hopeful that our brief conversation will help him see there is something more for him when he places his trust in our Savior.

Day 8 –
Today I had the privilege of attending a small fellowship group that meets at the top of a building in a working class neighborhood.  It was evident to me that the Holy Spirit was among us.  I couldn’t keep back tears as I watched the faces and listened to the worship songs.  Whenever I’m in these situations I cannot help but weep with joy and sorrow – joy for those who have been found, and sorrow for those who have not.  I’m reminded that the battle for the lost of this world is real.  It’s amazing how God, who doesn’t need us to accomplish his purpose, allows us to join him in His work.  Observing this is a privilege.

One of the people attending the gathering was a former Central Asian mafia man who is instrumental in helping to lead this fellowship.  He realized one day in the middle of a gunfight that he couldn’t go on as he was. “There must be more to life,” he remembers thinking.  This realization set him on a path of discovery and he found salvation and forgiveness.  Today, I watched the transformed man sing hymns to God, unable to contain his own smile.  His heart was obviously filled with joy.

Another man with his teenager son was there, deported from their home country because of their faith.  I was affected by seeing two generations present at this church, the older leading the younger by sharing the truth with him.

A mother with her three daughters also attended.  They have been unemployed and have endured unspeakable tragedies in their home country.  They worshiped near me and their heartfelt praise was beautiful to hear.  They are new believers, but have already seen God’s faithfulness in their lives.  They know his goodness and how he answers prayers.

Although they have very little – some church members are unemployed – the group tithes on what they earn, and recently collected enough to pay one month’s rent in advance so they could keep praising God together.

Day 9 –
I learned today that a believer was once arrested in the very building I where I worshiped on Sunday.  The man was working on Bible correspondence, and was taken from his home late one evening.  Once in jail, he began evangelizing those in prison with him.  He had his wife bring him Christian materials, telling her, “there is much work to be done here.” The authorities caught on and placed him in isolation shortly after.  He was released after some days in prison.

Day 15 –
We went to church today and had the privilege of seeing new Christians baptized.  There were many people in attendance, and the excitement level was high.  Those being baptized were tearfully joyful as they were baptized in a large tub filled with water.  I learned that baptisms are not common in Central Asia.  In fact, some veteran church planters told me that they had only seen two other baptisms in nine years of service.  I was blessed to have been present for this event.

Day 20 –
I travel home today.  I’m grateful I was able to take notes about my time here, otherwise I might forget the wonderful things I’ve learned and the kindness of the teams I’ve met.  I do not want to forget the lost, the hopeless looks, and the absence of joy that comes from not knowing what Christ has done for us.  This trip has reminded me how truly blessed I am to live where I have such freedom, but also that I’m not boldly using my freedom to share the Gospel, even with those in my neighborhood.  These church planters are an example to be emulated.

Some links:

• Iraq’s Election Results in Doubt as Recount Ordered (NY Times)
• Iraqi Blocs Negotiating To Form Ruling Coalition (Radio Free Europe)

For more details on the situation, here are some helpful links:

• Video Update from Stratfor
• Pictures (viewer discretion advised)

These are just a few recent headlines from the 10/40 window that illustrate the prevalence of religious persecution in countries where Access Partners operates. What is the Christian response to such a situation?

On one level, Christians should call and work for liberty in the public sphere. We should support religious liberty for all people, including Buddhists, Muslims, and Jews. Becoming a Christian cannot be compulsory since it is God alone who chooses those who will repent and believe in Christ.

Yet on another level, we recognize that the biggest hurdle in missions is not big government, but rather sinful hearts. Sure, it would be great if all governments supported religious freedom. But the gospel compels us to spread our good news—even when sharing it is prohibited. The demands of the gospel supersede any law; there are no barriers that can prevent its expansion or disqualify us from missions.

Ultimately, it’s important to consider why we do missions. We do missions because God is worthy to be proclaimed for Who He is; He deserves to receive worship from all peoples of the earth. In other words, it is impossible to divorce Christianity from missions.  God is a missionary God and we are commanded to call others to the knowledge and worship of Him.

All Christians, thus, are in a sense missionaries. We should look to share the gospel wherever we are, regardless of whether we are a bank teller in Wichita or a teacher in China.  Sharing the gospel overseas is essentially the same as sharing the gospel in the States: the goal is to make God known.

Of course, we must express our zeal with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:16). As much as possible, we should abide by cultural and governmental standards. The examples of Christ and of Paul are helpful in this regard.

Second Corinthians 8:9 states: “Though he [Christ] was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” Paul notes his own example: “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. (1 Thess. 2:9).

How do these verses affect how Access Partners approaches projects in countries with religious persecution?

Following these Biblical principles means we should respect, as far as it is possible, the customs of locals and avoid actions that will offend them.  For instance, it would be appropriate to consider others’ cultures by following dress codes and valuing the elders in the community.

Church planters should also follow, to the best of their ability, the laws of the country in which they live. Certainly, the businesses that we operate need to conform to local laws and regulations.  Of course, we ultimately serve God and not men (Acts 4). Yet human laws should be obeyed as much as possible, even if they seem pedantic. For example, in many former Soviet Republics, every purchase that a business makes, even from a grocery store, needs a contract. Writing up contracts for mundane purchases takes a lot of time yet Paul calls us in Romans 13 to submit to such authorities.

Doing what you say you do is another important part of work overseas.  If church planters say they are doing business, they should do such work—and do it well. Sometimes, the question of dual identity causes church planters a great deal of thought and stress. People ask, “Is it OK to call myself a businessperson if I’m really doing church planting? Am I putting up a deceptive front?”

We believe that these mental gymnastics are the wrong way to look at the issue.  Church planters shouldn’t feel like they are using a cover in order to share the gospel.  Instead, they should focus on doing their work honorably and well. Doing so glorifies God and provides a helpful model to locals who seek to combine vocation and faith.

Finally, we as Christians believe that God is sovereign—He can use persecution to further His kingdom. When believers suffer for Christ, they effectively demonstrate His worth to others.

In the book of Acts, it was the persecution launched after the death of Stephen that caused the gospel to go to new cities and regions, bringing Gentiles into the church.  Similarly, the church in China was estimated to be around 700,000 before the communists took over in 1949. Missionaries were expelled and many thought the church would wither away. But now it is estimated that there are 60-80 million Christians in China—a 10,000% increase in just over 50 years!

So yes, we should advocate for religious liberty and support those who do so.  However, even if there is no official freedom, Christians do not need to be discouraged. God is faithful and He will accomplish the salvation of His people.