Changing Lives Globally

CHANGING LIVES Around the World with the Gospelby MEGAN MCDANIEL

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

Sebastian is 35 years old and lives in constant fear. He was born in a Christian family, but for the last few years has been struggling with his relationship with God. He thinks God will not forgive him for some of his sins. He saw a Facebook page run by LHM staff in the Middle East and North Africa about being comforted during crisis, so he sent a private message asking for help to deal with his fears. After messaging back and forth with the staff, Sebastian realized that he was not finding peace with himself or with God. Living in constant fear from the instability around him caused him to be uncertain and lose control of his life. The staff members helped Sebastian turn his knowledge about Jesus into a true relationship where he can enjoy the forgiveness of sins. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Sebastian said he wanted to leave his sin behind and become a new person. He prayed and wanted a strong relationship with Jesus. He was connected to a local Christian community that he is attending virtually and is reading his Bible daily to strengthen his relationship with Jesus. Sebastian is thankful that he can find comfort in the Lord.

They are now going to church together and working on growing in their faith.

Simone has volunteered for LHM–Argentina for several years. She always looks for opportunities to share the Gospel, especially with her family members. Her brother and sister-in-law are non-Christians but were receptive to hearing the Gospel message from Simone. She gave them LHM–Argentina booklets and materials and encouraged them to learn more about Jesus. Through the power of God’s Word, earlier this year Simone’s sister-in-law decided she wanted to become a member at the local church and wanted her son to be baptized. They are now going to church together and working on growing in their faith. ARGENTINA

KENYA

Samson is 62 years old. He was raised in the Lutheran church but was not very interested in faith and only attended church for holidays like Easter and Christmas. His family did not have a lot of money, so Samson dropped out of school and got a job to make a living. He eventually completed his education and started a job at the local church distributing literature. A few years after starting that job, he met staff and volunteers from LHM–Kenya. He was interested in their

Bible Correspondence Courses

(BCC) and became the LHM contact person in his area. He became a diligent volunteer and helped hundreds of individuals register for the courses. Under the leadership of his local pastor, Samson helped open five Lutheran churches before becoming a politician for several years. Recently the LHM–Kenya team visited Samson’s church for an Equipping the Saints program. He shared with the staff members how thankful he is for the LHM–Kenya team equipping him for a life of evangelism.

Peter is a vegetable seller at the local market and has been an active user of his MP3 player from LHM–Malaysia for a while. When he received his first MP3 player, his son took it with him to a logging camp in the jungle. He saw an opportunity to share the hopeful messages so the loggers can listen to the Good News and songs as they work. Peter replaced his first MP3 player with a new one for himself and takes it to work with him at the market every day. The other sellers enjoy listening to the songs and messages and say they always feel uplifted after they listen. Peter is thankful for the opportunity to share the Gospel message through his audio Bible and enjoys strengthening his faith as he listens to the messages.

MALAYSIA

Lutheran Hour Ministries develops culturally relevant programs and resources to reach people in more than 60 nations who may not be familiar with the Gospel. 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.

PANAMA

Jennifer is a teacher at a school that participates in LHM–Panama’s Project JOEL program for youth. Jennifer shares Bible stories with her students and encourages them to participate and interact with the lessons. Jennifer shared that the Project JOEL lessons are so important for the children, and she is also motivated by the readings. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Project JOEL lessons have been adapted for virtual settings, and Jennifer feels that the new format has helped them reach not only the students, but the parents and families as well. The fun games and activities reinforce learning, and the students look forward to the songs and dramas. Jennifer is happy to be a part of Project JOEL and knows she is making a difference in the lives of her students.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Zoya became a Christian.

Zoya completed the Bible Correspondence Courses hosted by LHM–Russia a few years ago. She learned about Christianity and was able to ask questions when things did not make sense to her. Zoya learned to pray in all situations, even when she did not want to. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Zoya became a Christian. Eager to spend more time in church, she found a part-time job at a local church and eventually became a full-time employee. She continues to learn more about Jesus and is now sending LHM–Russia booklets to her friends so they can learn about Jesus, too. She hopes that one day her friends will attend church services with her. RUSSIA

SRI LANKA

Grace learned about LHM–Sri Lanka through a local radio program. She reached out to the LHM team to share how the program and its hopeful messages had positively impacted her life. The program encouraged her and her family, and they eagerly wait for each new program, making sure they never miss one. Grace is thankful for the program and acknowledged that it has helped strengthen the faith of her entire household.

She reached out to the LHM team to share how the program and its hopeful messages had positively impacted her life.

Suwatee is 52 years old and practices a non-Christian religion. She heard an LHM–Thailand radio program on her local community radio station and was introduced to Jesus for the first time. She wondered who Jesus was, so she began listening to the program regularly. She had been feeling a lack of peace in her life and after listening to the program a few times, she realized that Jesus could give her peace. She contacted the LHM–Thailand team, and they encouraged her to enroll in their Bible Correspondence Courses and referred her to a church near her home. Several months later, she sent a message to the LHM–Thailand team thanking them for the program and sharing that she had been led to trust in Jesus by the power of God’s Word and had become a Christian. She continues to study the BCC lessons and has joined a Bible study at her church. She is happy to know Jesus and is preparing to be baptized soon. She has found hope in Jesus and continues to learn more about Christianity each day. =