Afghanistan (MNN) — Two years ago, Afghanistan took center stage when the Taliban took control of the country, plunging it into a state of violence and chaos. For a time the world watched with full attention, watching in horror and praying fervently.
However, as lives get busy and new headlines hit the headlines, it’s all too easy to forget. Or we cover our ears when a tragic story emerges from Afghanistan.
“It’s so easy to get caught up in the darkness, with all the bad things happening,” Mike* with Global Catalytic Ministries said.
“But under the noses of the Taliban, people are learning about the Lord because they are seeing the true face of Islam.”
Read the full GCM update here.
Global Catalytic Ministries trains and equips Christian leaders in Afghanistan. Everyone quickly learns that serving Jesus means dying to self.
“Baptism is a funeral. In the West we don’t treat things that way, but it’s a dying process,” says Mike.
It is difficult to fear death when you do not love this world. “They love God so much that nothing else matters, not even death. This (type of transformation) is only done by the Lord,” Mike says.
The death process produces a “Maranatha cry”.
“The cry of Maranatha (is) a cry of heartache for Jesus to come. ‘You came, but you come back“That’s what Maranatha means,” Mike said.
“We do not see the early Church looking back at the empty tomb. They always waited impatiently and asked, “Did we miss Jesus?” When is he coming back? It was the return of the Lord that triggered their momentum.
GCM has established numerous shelters over the past two years, bringing thousands of Christians to safety. There is still a lot to do. Here’s how you can help!
Please pray for “G” and his family as they courageously and secretly do the Lord’s work.
(Graphic, caption courtesy of Global Catalytic Ministries)
Pray for the safety, protection and courage of Afghan Christians. “One of our disciple-makers went out and started coaching another believer to spread the gospel, (but) he didn’t master the process,” Mike says.
“The Taliban heard him and beat him pretty badly. We didn’t hear from him for a few days.
Another believer, known only as “G” recently started translate Bible stories:
We began training this brother early, as our serious conversations became spiritual. Out of the 26 stories we use for discipleship, it only took 3 and he was ready to denounce everything he had previously followed and dedicate his life to Yeshua! This brother is a popular target and has a lot of influence in his community. He began translating the stories into his native language and training his family and community from the hideout! He asked, “Is there anything we could do that would please Adonai?” My family and I pray for Israeli brothers and sisters.
See more frontline updates from GCM here.
*Name withheld for security reasons
The header image depicts a Taliban member. The Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia law, is deeply conservative and rigid. They do not tolerate religious minorities and respond with hatred and violence to Christianity. (Photo, caption courtesy of Global Catalytic Ministries)
