In a veiled country in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, sharing the gospel can come with serious consequences. When Global Mission pioneer Chong visited several families ready to follow Jesus, his joyful evening quickly turned into a night of arrest and imprisonment. Yet what seemed like a setback became a testimony of faith. Today, the very village where he was detained has more than 100 Seventh-day Adventist believers.
Can you imagine being thrust into a cold, dark prison cell for sharing Jesus? This is a common occurrence for Global Mission pioneers serving in a veiled country in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.
Recently, Chong*, a pioneer, and Peter, the director of the local conference office, traveled to the northern part of this country to meet with members of a church plant.
While Chong and Peter enjoyed a sumptuous dinner with the members, they learned about three families who wanted to give their lives to Jesus. Chong was so excited when he learned they were ready to burn their spirit-worship items, He decided to visit them that night.
As Chong, Peter, and some of the church members trudged along the dark, narrow path to the families’ homes, one of the members told Chong that he wanted his family to hear about Jesus. So, before the group reached the three families, they stopped at the member’s home to share the good news.
Finally, the group arrived at the homes of the three families. It was late and chilly, but the people’s beaming faces warmed Chong’s heart, and their zeal energized his spirit. As they huddled around a fire, Peter introduced Chong and told the people he was there to help them make a full surrender to Jesus.
But the families didn’t seem to need Chong’s help. “We are ready to give our hearts to Jesus,” the family elder said. “We will walk in the light with Jesus taking the lead; not the worldly spirits.”
While Chong was talking with the families, a man suddenly burst into the room, demanding that Chong accompany him to the clan leader’s home.
Later that evening, Peter and the church members returned to their place of worship to await news about Chong. As the hours dragged on, they became increasingly concerned about how long the meeting with the clan leader was taking. Finally, they received news that Chong was locked up in the clan leader’s home.
During the night, the members prayed for Chong’s protection while the leaders tried to negotiate his release. But nothing they tried was successful.
It was later confirmed that the head of the clan had conspired with the police to have Chong arrested. He had been transported to a detention center where he was kept during the initial investigation of the case.
Providentially, Chong was released four days later. Now, the village where he spent time in a cold, dark cell has more than 100 people who have become Seventh-day Adventist Christians! Rather than deterring Chong from sharing Jesus, jail time strengthened his resolve.
Despite fierce opposition, God’s work continues to flourish in this veiled country. Please pray for our Global Mission pioneers who risk their safety to establish new churches for Jesus. Your faithfulness sustains their ministry.
*Names have been changed
