From the day I got saved when I was in fifth grade until the day I started college, I have had a very narrow and small view of the world of Christianity (and the world in general, really).
This was due to several factors, such as our family not traveling much, not knowing much about other cultures, and (the main reason) because of the culture of the church I was in.
To be honest — we thought the Christians in our church were the only ones going to heaven (and even some of them we were not sure about!).
But then I went to college, and God opened my eyes to a world of Christianity and variety of Christians that I never knew existed.
During my first year of college, I was confronted with the reality that there were people from so many other cultures and denominations that read a different translation of the Bible than I did.
Sang different songs than I did, emphasized different doctrines than I did, and had different standards of living than I did — and not only were they Christians, but they appeared to be devoted to Jesus much more than I was. That was a difficult pill to swallow, but I am so glad I did.
Fast-forward to a few weeks ago, and I had not yet experienced believers from other countries, especially counties where Christianity is not welcome.
I knew they were out there, and I often prayed for them (especially those being persecuted), but I had yet to meet them personally or heard their story.
But then, thanks to international communication made possible by the internet, I recently got connected to a believer in an Islamic country in Asia who pastors a Christian church and who is regularly trying to make disciples and plant more churches throughout his land while under heavy persecution.
I have gotten to know this pastor through coaching and teaching over video for the past couple of months. Here are seven surprising lessons that I have learned about believers in his country and specifically his church:
1. They Aren’t Playing a Cultural Christian Game
Living as a Christian in their culture is not only frowned upon, it is dangerous because of the control that Muslims have in their government. There are fewer nominal Christians because of the pressure and danger.
Although they are immature in their faith and ignorant of certain doctrines because they do not normally have systematic, expositional teaching from Scripture, good discipleship systems, or leadership development, they are still just as serious about their faith.
2. They Have Few Resources
Because of the financial and religious situation of their country, they have very limited Bibles and study guides in their language as well as discipleship or leadership training resources.
Even if those things were available, they have very little finances to get them, and some of the older people never had a chance to go to school and could not read well anyway.
Some groups of people in the more rural areas near them even work as slaves and barely have enough food to eat, let alone an education. Nevertheless, they are resourceful with what they do have.
The video calling that we do is over my own Zoom subscription on a laptop and phone belonging to the pastor and connected to a TV borrowed from someone in his church.
3. They Are Extraordinarily Appreciative of Help
Every time I talk to the pastor or teach his church over video, they have huge smiles on their faces, they clap in appreciation, and they say “thank you” constantly.
Even though the people have to travel in from considerable distances and the pastor is doing most of the work gathering everyone, studying, translating, and leading discussions (and all I do is “zoom” in for an hour), his gratefulness is over-the-top.
4. Their Culture Is Different
While some of the practices in their worship services and Bible studies are recognizable (they sing, pray, and preach), other practices are much different because of their culture.
For example, their congregation worships barefoot, many of them sit on the floor, and the men and women sit on opposite sides of the room.
Very few of the men had facial hair other than mustaches (in contrast to the Muslim men in their culture with full beards), the women wore head coverings, and although most people sat very still and respectful, the toddlers seemed to have the freedom to run around.
Also, some of the instruments used in their music were unique from instruments that I have seen before.
5. They Acted Like One Big Family
In the Sunday morning worship service that I was able to be a part of through video calling, the congregation seemed like one big, close-knit family. People were packed in the room about as tight as they could be, many sitting on the floor and some even standing up.
The atmosphere was casual and unhurried.
The music was responsive and engaging, people were clapping and having a good time, and there were even people in the congregation joining in with tambourines. It was very enjoyable to watch.
6. They Worship the Same Jesus
Despite all the differences and the uniqueness of their culture (especially their language, which I do not understand at all), we immediately connected over our shared love of Jesus.
They believe and teach the same Bible, care about the same primary doctrines, have been saved by the same blood of Jesus, are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit, and are operating from the same mission given by Jesus to make disciples.
It is an incredible feeling to be unified to people on the other side of the world as soon as we start talking.
7. They Deal with the Same Main Issues
While the believers in this country have to deal with literal, physical persecution (which is different from most people in America), they are also wrestling against some of the very same main issues that Christians in America have.
For example, they are teaching scriptural truth in the face of false teaching, they are encouraging believers to grow in the face of immaturity of faith, they are sharing the gospel in the face of lostness and worldliness, and they are striving to live holy lives in the face of sin and temptation.
In fact, I would say that believers across the whole world and throughout all time wrestle with these issues. They are part of the spiritual “war” that Paul said we have to face in Ephesians 6.
Over these past few months of getting to know the pastor of this South Asian church, coaching him in his life and ministry, and teaching his congregation about discipleship and leadership, I have learned a lot about what believers deal with outside of the “Bible Belt” in America.
I have struggled with how to teach in a way that is cross-cultural, coaching someone that I have never met in person, and relating to people that do not get my sports metaphors (unless I talk about soccer).
But most importantly, I have been inspired by their faith, commitment, and energy under the type of pressure that I may never be able to empathize with.
This pastor and his church have focused my mind a little more on the things that matter and have given me a bolder faith.
It makes me think of what Paul wrote to the believers he ministered to Rome: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world” (Romans 1:8, ESV).
I am so blessed to have met them and thankful that God arranged our meeting.
For further reading:
What Is the Biblical View of Mission Work?
5 Reasons You Should Go on a Mission Trip
How Can Christians Stay United in a Divided World?
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