By Prayer is SIM’s motto because it is truly by prayer that we praise God, seek his direction, request resources, and call upon the Holy Spirit to empower our ministries. By Prayer is a call to action, emphasizing important work to be done. We must intercede for those living outside a saving relationship with Jesus, many of whom have never heard his name. Will you join us by praying these prayers every month?
Esther, a pioneer leader in Central Asia
We call her Esther* because God has called her to be a faithful witness “for just such a time as this” (Es 4:14). Esther is a pioneer leader making Jesus known in a forgotten community. How did God carefully push this vibrant, Korean woman across a significant frontier within the Central Asian nation where she has lived her whole life? Esther smiles back at me in the Zoom window on my laptop. She thinks carefully about how to answer that question.
My ambition has always been to preach the good news where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” Romans 15:20-21
The first time I visited Esther in Central Asia, I was surprised many of the Russian-speaking, evangelical pastors I met looked Korean to me. Having grown up in a multi-cultural urban centre, Korean friends have been in my life for as long as I can remember. The existence of Korean-looking, Russian-speaking brothers and sisters was new to me and fascinating. I wanted to know their story.