November Ministry Spotlight - From Our Neighborhoods to the Nations: A Story of Foreign Missions and Faith

Most often, our Monthly Ministry Spotlights give us the opportunity to learn about what God is doing through a ministry in our community, join them in serving, and then share both the ministry and our experience with you. But this month's Ministry Spotlight is a little different. This time, we're sharing about ministry that reaches beyond our community, beyond our nation, and beyond the scope of a day spent serving alongside someone.

We were introduced to MK because she and her family are KJIC listeners. They stopped by the station to invite us to join her in prayer as she prepared for an upcoming journey into the mission field. As MK shared her story, our staff felt strongly that it was one we wanted to share with you. Not because her story is somehow more special than anyone else's, but because we found ourselves so encouraged by her obedience and excitement. Her story prompted us to reflect on the ways God has called each of us into seasons of obedience that felt big, impossible, or even a little scary. And we wanted to share that encouragement with you.

Perhaps reading MK's story will cause you to pause and remember a time when God called you to something and then faithfully provided along the way. Perhaps it will open your eyes and ears to how He's stirring your heart right now and give you the boldness to say yes. Or perhaps it will simply prompt you to take a moment and ask God what He has for you. We are all called to different things. Foreign missions may not be where God is leading you. But whatever He's calling you to do, my hope is that this story will encourage you to step forward with an obedient YES!

MK trusted her life to the Lord at a young age. She shared with me that even as a child, she would stare at a map hanging on the wall of her schoolroom with tears in her eyes, thinking about the people around the world who needed to hear the Gospel. Can you imagine that? A little girl looking at a map, overwhelmed by the thought of people she had never met, in places she had never been, who might not know Jesus. And as MK grew, so did her heart for unreached people.

About four years ago, she was introduced to Movement Network, a decentralized network of disciples, churches, and leaders committed to seeing God's glory made known among every people and in every place. What began as a simple church in Friendswood, Texas, has grown into a network focused on making disciples who make disciples and multiplying churches among those who have not yet heard the Gospel. Working alongside No Place Left, Movement Network helps equip and mobilize believers to carry that mission around the world. It's a model of ministry rooted in the early church described in Acts 2, where believers shared life together, devoted themselves to God's Word, and carried the good news of Jesus into the world around them.

Last year, MK lived in North Africa and frequently traveled into the Middle East. When she returned home, she expected to eventually return to a particular people group where she had already developed relationships and where things felt familiar. But almost as soon as she arrived back in the United States, she began sensing that God was leading her somewhere different. Through prayer and fasting, she sought the Lord's direction. And as she became convinced of where He was calling her, she began taking steps forward in obedience. What I loved hearing was how, as MK stepped forward, God continued to provide guidance and open doors along the way. Not necessarily by showing her the entire journey at once, but by giving her what she needed to take the next step.

And the place God has called her is one where the need for the Gospel is tremendous. According to information MK shared with us, the Middle East is home to 319 unreached people groups, including more than 100 frontier unreached people groups. Across North Africa and the Middle East, hundreds of millions of people live in communities where opportunities to hear the Gospel can be limited. Those numbers are difficult to comprehend, but behind every number are people. Families. Communities. Individuals created and loved by God, many of whom have never had the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus. And while those numbers can feel overwhelming, I love being reminded that God sees every single one of those people. What feels impossible to us is not impossible for Him.

MK also shared some of the challenges that come with serving in places where openly sharing the Gospel can carry serious consequences. In some areas, missionaries know their time may be limited. They may have only a few years to build relationships, share their faith, and equip others before they are required to leave. Hearing that brought such a sense of urgency to my heart. When you know your time may be short, you become intentional with every opportunity.

But as I thought about that, I was reminded that our urgency here should be no different. None of us knows the number of our days. And while most of us will never face the same challenges MK may encounter, we have people all around us who need to hear the Gospel, too. Our neighbors. Our coworkers. Our friends. The people God places in our paths every single day. What would it look like if we approached those opportunities with the same intentionality?

One of my favorite things MK shared was that what she will be doing in the Gulf region is really no different from what she has already been doing in Houston and North Africa. The culture may be different. The language may be different. The people and circumstances may be different. But the mission is the same: share the Gospel, make disciples who make disciples, and trust God to multiply that work. MK plans to work, build relationships, and become part of the community around her, looking for opportunities to share the hope of Jesus with the people God brings into her life.

And she shared a beautiful story that shows what that can look like.

While serving in the Middle East, MK met a woman I'll call E, who had spent her life involved in the local church but had never personally shared the Gospel. When MK asked her why, E expressed her fear. Sharing about Jesus was illegal in her country, and she was afraid of what might happen. Together, they opened Scripture and talked about obedience, persecution, and what it means to follow Jesus even when it comes at a cost. As they talked, MK watched E's heart begin to soften. By the end of their conversation, E was ready to take a step of faith. MK taught her a simple method for sharing the Gospel called 3 Circles, and they practiced together until E felt prepared.

And that very same day, an opportunity came. A woman arrived wanting to have a spiritual conversation, and MK encouraged E to share what she had just learned. Though nervous, E stepped forward in faith and shared the Gospel for the very first time. And what happened next was incredible! The woman made the decision to place her faith in Jesus!

But the story didn't end there. E immediately began teaching this new believer how to share the Gospel herself. Together, they practiced and made a list of people in her life who needed to hear about Jesus. In just one day, a woman who had been afraid to share her faith became someone who was not only sharing the Gospel but equipping others to do the same. One conversation. One step of obedience. And the Gospel was already being carried forward by someone new. What a beautiful reminder of the power of God's Word, the importance of obedience, and the way God can use one willing heart to reach so many more!

As I listened to MK share about God's leading, His provision, and the work He is doing through ordinary people who are willing to say yes, one thought kept coming back to me.

There is a difference between what we believe God WILL do and what God CAN do.

When we step out in faith and obedience, we often think about what we believe God will do. MK believes God will provide for her. She believes God will use her to share the Gospel. She believes God will make a way for the good news of Jesus to reach people in places where that seems impossible. And I love that confidence in the Lord!

But then I think about what God CAN do. Beyond the plans we make. Beyond the outcomes we hope for. Beyond what we can even begin to imagine. E was willing to share the Gospel with one woman. She could not have known that the very same day, she would be helping equip a new believer to share Jesus with others. And who knows how many more people may hear the Gospel because of that one act of obedience?

Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us.

I often find myself reminded of that truth as I consider the mission and ministry of Community Radio, Inc. Nearly 50 years ago, our founder, Bob Vaughn, believed God would make a way for him to reach his neighborhood with the Gospel through a radio ministry. And God did. Bob dreamed that one day the ministry might reach the entire city of Houston. And God made a way for that, too.

But that wasn't all God COULD do!

Today, through our app and online streaming, KJIC reaches listeners in more than 135 countries.

COUNTRIES!!!

A calling that began with a desire to share Jesus with his neighbors has grown into a ministry reaching people around the world.

And I think about MK, who as a little girl looked at a map with tears in her eyes, longing for people around the world to know Jesus. Now, years later, she's preparing to go to one of those places herself. Two very different callings. One shared mission. And a God who is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine.

I believe God can do so much more through MK's obedience than she could ever imagine. We are thankful for the opportunity to join her in prayer as she steps into this next season of following the Lord. We're praying for His protection, His provision, the relationships He will build, and the opportunities He will provide for the Gospel to be shared.

And my hope in sharing her story is that you'll be encouraged by her obedience, stirred to pray for those carrying the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and reminded of the urgency of sharing that same Gospel right where God has placed you. Because while our callings may look different, we all have opportunities to say yes to the Lord.

Maybe He's asking you to go somewhere unfamiliar. Maybe He's asking you to start a conversation you've been avoiding. Maybe He's asking you to serve, give, forgive, encourage, or simply take the next step He's already placed on your heart.

Whatever that looks like, I hope MK's story reminds you that you don't have to know every step of the journey before you take the first one. We can trust that God will be faithful as we follow Him. And we can trust that what He CAN do with one obedient yes is far beyond anything we could imagine.

To our KJIC listeners and donors, thank you for being part of a ministry that continues to reach beyond the airwaves. Your prayers and generosity allow us to connect with people like MK, share stories of God's faithfulness, and encourage one another to live boldly for Christ. We are grateful for the opportunity to share her story with you, and we'd love for you to continue walking alongside her in prayer. If you'd like to follow MK's journey, receive updates, and learn how you can be praying for her as she serves, simply scan the QR code below. What a privilege it is to be part of what God is doing, both right here in our communities and around the world!