ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
Meet
RAYMOND AND NOORA LLULL Midwestern Seminary’s Missions Moonshot aims to send 100 missionaries each year to the nations. Many of these missionaries serve in such high-security locations that their information is unable to be disclosed to the public. In light of this reality, we want to highlight the work of Midwestern Seminary alumni serving in high-security locations. Though their names have been changed and pictures are concealed for their safety, we hope this year’s alumni highlight reminds each of us of the urgency of the mission and the courage of missionaries around the world.
MBTS Can you tell us a little bit more about where you serve, what your roles entail, and your ministry priorities? NOORA We serve with the International Mission Board (IMB) in Pakistan. Our focus is a desert province the size of Iowa, consisting of a population of about 32 million Muslims. There is little to no access to the gospel in our province—around 200 believers total. Most of my time in our first year here has been spent learning the Urdu language in any and every way, including sharing the gospel and sitting with ladies in Bible studies. RAYMOND We joined a team of 2 other families, who are coincidentally all Midwestern and Fusion alumni. Our focus is simple—abide in Christ, obey the Great Commission, and help others do the same. The Scriptures give us clarity as to how this is to be carried out—gaining access into unreached places, prioritizing bold gospel proclamation to anyone and everyone, laying new foundations of discipleship for local indigenous churches, and appointing local indigenous M I DW E S T E R N M A G A Z I N E
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leadership among those who believe. This role is itinerant in nature, and we resonate with the Apostle Paul’s expressed tension for both the breadth of gospel expansion (Romans 15:20-21), and the concern for depth in each and every church established (Philippians 2:12-18).
MBTS Why is church planting central to the missionary task? NOORA Our context is highly uneducated, mostly illiterate, and extremely poor. For many new believers, the first book they have ever read or listened to in an understandable way is the Bible. It is encouraging to see the eagerness of brand-new Christians learn the Word of God, and immediately obey it. In many cases this is met with persecution. For these believers, to both grow and multiply, the local church is essential. They need to be able to lean on each other and hold forth the word of life (Philippians 1:16). RAYMOND Lone-wolf Christians don’t last long here. If
