Andrew Hinge, CMS Victoria
2 March 2024
This Easter, in the crystal-blue waters of the Persian Gulf, in just one church perhaps a 100 people will go under the waves and emerge as new creations in Jesus Christ. New believer baptisms are occurring regularly Sunday after Sunday in this desert land.
Joe and Denise are sent from CMS Victoria to help the Middle East in church leadership, pastoral care, evangelism and discipleship. In their country locals are by definition Muslims, but migrants are allowed to attend church. Like migrants everywhere they are in transition, and open to new relationships and investigating the Christian faith.
“Of all the stories of salvation happening here, the story of the three women comes to mind,” Denise said. “The story begins with Dianne. She was so humbled by the sacrifice of Jesus that she felt compelled to share the good news with her friend Helen. I was thrilled. When they’re sharing what they’ve experienced with a friend, you see the Holy Spirit igniting inside them! It’s so exciting to see disciples making disciples!”
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The story doesn’t stop there. At the time, Helen was coming to church sporadically due to a cancer diagnosis. Denise had recently read a book on faith and cancer by Nick Hawkes, Soar Above the Storm. One week at church, Denise promised Helen she would loan it to her, but after that, Helen disappeared for some weeks. In time, Denise was able to track Helen down to give her the book.
Denise said, “You know, it was really beautiful. She found it so helpful, it was always pointing to Jesus and saying, God is at work in you through your cancer, not in spite of it.”
One Sunday, Helen made her way down to the waters of the Persian Gulf to be baptised. She was welcomed into a Bible study which helped her grow in faith. She quickly became as passionate about sharing Jesus as her friend Dianne.
And, Helen introduced Denise to her work colleague Victoria. Victoria had noticed the complete turnaround in Helen’s life and agreed to come to church. Victoria was baptised in October.
This is only a snapshot of their stories. It took time for the women to accept Jesus, because they were all struggling with issues in their own lives. But the love of others in the church over time means that they are now faithfully following Christ: disciples making disciples, making disciples.
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Their story is almost typical in Joe and Denise’s church. People are coming to new life in Christ all the time. There is so much need and opportunity like this all over the world. CMS is invited to far more places than we have available missionaries to send. Joe and Denise’s church is currently recruiting a small groups pastor.
Contact CMS for more information on how to apply and how to support this work. Pray with us for more and more to have new life in Christ.
Andrew Hinge is communications and marketing manager with the Church Missionary Society Victoria.
*All names in the story have been changed.
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