6 minute read
Changing Lives Globally
by MEGAN MCDANIEL CHANGING LIVES Around the World with the Gospelby MEGAN MCDANIEL
Ben is 36 years old and makes a living by traveling to villages to buy secondhand items and resell them . He is married with four children and provides for his father who started living with him after his mother died several months ago . Ben grew up in a nonChristian religious household . In 1998, Ben’s father heard the Gospel for the first time and was led by the Holy Spirit to become a Christian . After that time, Ben was around 14 years old and wanted to challenge his father’s new faith . Now, Ben’s father is a supporter of LHM–Cambodia and uses their booklets for sharing the Gospel with others . Recently, Ben’s father asked him to read the Bible to him because his eyesight was starting to decline, and it was hard for him to read the print . Ben was willing to help his father and figured he could find reasons to back up his plan to avoid Christianity . As he read the Bible, Ben did not find reasons to support his beliefs . He instead realized that he wanted a relationship with God . Through the power of God’s Word, Ben became a Christian . Ben and his family became volunteers for LHM–Cambodia and continue to grow in their faith .
Maria is a kindergarten teacher and volunteers during her spare time to help educate children in her community . Several years ago, Maria connected with LHM–Nicaragua and has since been using their programs and resources to help encourage children with the Gospel . LHM–Nicaragua staff are thankful for Maria’s partnership, and they look forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of children in their community .
Cambodia Joseph is 23 years old and Liberia dropped out of college when he was introduced to drugs . He went to church with his parents as a child, but when he went to school Nicaragua he stopped going to church . Joseph saw one of his friends who was addicted to drugs turn his life around after going to church . He decided to go to a recovery home with his friend and ended up talking to a pastor . At the recovery home, Joseph and his friend joined a youth program led by LHM–Liberia . They participated in discussions and seminars to learn more about Jesus . Joseph became a member of the local church and through the power of the Holy Spirit, he became a Christian . He enrolled in classes to finish his education and continues to grow his faith. … through the power of the Holy Spirit, Joseph became a Christian.
Hai is 24 years old and lives in an area that does not have church gatherings now due to COVID-19 restrictions. He was interested in the architecture of churches in his area and reached out to LHM staff in Central and South Asia through WhatsApp . He began asking questions about church history and the Bible . Hai was encouraged to enroll in LHM’s Bible Correspondence Courses . After enrolling and starting the lessons, Hai wanted to share what he was learning with his girlfriend who then wanted to start the lessons herself . They were able to talk through what they were learning together and through the power of God’s Word, Hai became a Christian . Hai is attending church services and continues to follow LHM on social media to grow in his faith .
Central and South Asia
Individuals around the world are reached more than 150 million times each week with the Gospel through Lutheran Hour Ministries’ culturally relevant programs and resources . Below are just a few examples to show how God has been using LHM recently to change lives around the world with His Good News .
Sri Lanka
Staff at the LHM–Sri Lanka ministry center recently got several responses from listeners to their Time of Hope radio program . A woman who practices a non-Christian religion said she has been listening to the LHM–Sri Lanka radio program for four years and shared that it has been a blessing in her life . She also requested a Bible verse calendar in response to an advertisement she heard during the program . Nadeesh also called to say he and his wife have been listening to the radio programs for five years. They also requested a Bible verse calendar and are encouraged by the program to keep listening . The LHM–Sri Lanka staff know there are many untold stories from individuals who have benefitted from the program. They are thankful for their supporters and look forward to more opportunities to share the Gospel with others .
Every Friday the LHM–Paraguay staff members set up a table with topical booklets in front of their ministry center office. Each week, they choose a different topic to display . During the week focusing on suicide, a woman named Ayala stopped by and picked up a booklet . After she got home and read through it, she called the ministry center and shared how much it impacted her . Ayala shared that she is a long-time widow, and she has considered suicide several times in her life . The booklet encouraged her to think about her life and how she can make changes to become more positive . Ayala wanted to learn more about Jesus, so the staff set up a time to meet with her at home and share the Gospel message with her . She is thankful for the LHM–Paraguay staff and is eager to learn about Jesus .
Ghana
David is 27 years old and works as a farmer. Since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in some areas, LHM–Ghana started hosting outdoor film events again . David heard about the film events through his community radio station, so he went to the event and was encouraged by the message they showed . He admitted he was not very interested in going to the event but decided to go anyway . David shared that he was touched by the message and the continued relationship he created with the LHM–Ghana staff . Through the power of God’s Spirit, he became a Christian . He wanted to become a local church member, and he is now joyfully attending services as he grows his relationship with Jesus .
Saw is 38 years old . He and his family recently moved to a small town in Myanmar and were facing challenges in their life . They are all Christians but had not gone to church for many years . Saw found the LHM–Myanmar Facebook page and started following it . He also started listening to the LHM–Myanmar radio programs regularly . Saw also got his children involved with the children’s programs including Bible recitation . When he heard his children practicing their Bible verses at home, he longed to go to church . Saw reached out to LHM–Myanmar staff, asking to be connected to a local church . The whole family is enjoying going to church and learning more about Jesus . =Paraguay Myanmar
