“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.”
—Henry Martyn
Discovering the Call to Missions
Several years ago, as I got more involved in reaching the unreached in far away, underserved parts of the world, God began to reshape my heart by what I saw Him doing among people who had never heard the name of Jesus before.
The Power of Signs, Wonders, and Miracles
Through the signs, wonders, and miracles in the context of the various missions that the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 15:19, caused me to grow more intensely missionary than I had ever been.
“By the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.” —Romans 15:19
Embracing Paul’s Ambition
I began to relate to Paul, who said in the following verse, that now, “My ambition [is] to preach the gospel where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.” (Rom 15:20)
Why was that Paul’s ambition, and why has it become mine? Because it was first God’s ambition. According to Romans 15:21, God is ambitious that, “Those who have never been told about Him will see, and those who have never heard of Him will understand.”
Experiencing Miracles on the Mission Field
When you open your heart and let God make His ambition your ambition, you will begin to experience what Paul and I have experienced. In my mission to unreached people groups in East Africa, I have witnessed a special dispensation of signs, wonders, and miracles that God sovereignly grants to those who will take the Gospel to those who have never heard it.
Miracles on the Frontiers of Missions
Jesus Himself promised miraculous signs for those who believe and engage in the Great Commission. In Mark 16:15-16, He commissioned His disciples to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” He assured them that “these signs will accompany those who believe.”
What follows in Mark 16:17 is Jesus’ promise of miraculous healings, divine protection, demonic deliverances, and even resurrections from the dead through the ministry of those who dare to go to the lost with the Good News of God’s saving grace.
Unleashing Miracles through the Gospel
Why do we see these signs, wonders, and miracles in the work of missions on the world’s frontiers and not in the reached world where we live? While we may not fully comprehend all of God’s reasons, we open ourselves to the real possibility of miracles whenever we “preach the Gospel to all creation” through our praying, giving, and going.
Miracle Stories From the Field
As you read these modern-day miracles witnessed by our indigenous missionaries, our hope is that you will take joy in recognizing your role in these extraordinary events.
“I have witnessed the power of God’s healing through this ministry. I will never forget the day when a woman was healed from cancer, and her doctor confirmed it. It was a miracle that filled me with hope and strengthened my faith. There was also another individual who was healed from a nerve disease in Jesus’ name. Seeing these miraculous healings and at least 70 people accepting Jesus through them has been an incredible experience.“
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in Ethiopia
“I have seen firsthand how God can work miracles through me. One woman in my villages was healed from HIV and AIDS. Her healing was a testament to the power of God and it gave me the courage to continue on this journey. Another woman was healed from an injury on her hand, and through her healing, her husband accepted Jesus.
Speaking of miracles, I have personally experienced God’s healing power in my life. Before coming to Christ I struggled with madness before God healed me and called me to be a missionary to the unreached. Since then, I have been working tirelessly to reach the unreached around me. There are so many people here who have yet to hear the Good News and remain lost in darkness. I want to plant a church so that it can light the darkness.”
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in Ethiopia
“God has brought forth many miracles. I started this ministry in an empty house where I prayed for people’s deliverance. A lady who couldn’t get pregnant for 15 years did after I prayed for her. I had a girl whose hands were affected by a particular disease. After I prayed for her, she fell to the ground, and when she stood up, she started to use her hands. We now have more than 29 members, and the church has elders, deacons, and evangelists. Even though I started in an empty house, God has given me these people. I use every opportunity to teach people about Jesus. I thank God for being with me.”
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in Ethiopia
“When I opened the church in the village, it was a turning point for many people. The gospel has transformed so many lives, and I have been privileged to witness the power of God in action. Miracles have happened right before my eyes. When I pray for the sick, they are healed. It’s a reminder of God’s love and grace for his people.”
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in South Sudan
“But through it all, God remains by our side. He gives us the strength and determination we need to keep moving forward. As we continue to work, we see miracles happening all around us. We see people’s hearts being transformed and lives being changed for the better. We see communities coming together to support one another and share in God’s love.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everything that God has done in my life. He saved me, protected me, and called me to a life of service to him. And through it all, he has been with me every step of the way.“
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in Uganda
“When I came to Christ, I was kicked out of my family. My family was Orthodox and also worshipped spirits. They could not accept that I would move away from their faith. However, I had my own faith and prayed for them and they came to Jesus. The change in my family’s life impacted those around my community. Because of their transformation, many families came to Christ. I have been engaging in healing and deliverances as I minister. I pray for my people, and I am seeing them get healed from all kinds of evils, including freedom from addictions.
God often gives me a word of knowledge through dreams about people in my village who need healing. Then I go to find them and pray for them. The more people come to faith, the more hostility that falls upon me. Some people from other religions have even tried to stone the church people when they are in worship. Pray for my wife and future pastors we need to add to our ministries.“
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in Ethiopia
“The people in our village have been receptive to the Gospel, and many have come to know Christ. It is amazing to see how they have turned away from idol worship and how miracles and healings are taking place. However, there are still many challenges we face. Other churches in the area are claiming that our church is false and that we are preaching a false Gospel. We also face persecution on the roads between our village and safety is a constant concern.
Despite these challenges, we are determined to continue sharing the Good News and bringing people to Christ. We need your prayers for safety and for the hearts of those who hear our message to be changed. We also need prayers for those who believe in cultural and false religions to come to know the truth and serve the one true God.”
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in South Sudan
“I am grateful for the miracles God has done in the lives of the people in our community. One time, a young girl who was mad in her head was healed when I prayed for her. This miracle caused the church to grow very quickly.
Also, a woman who was struggling with alcoholism came to me for prayer. She was delivered, and many people saw what God had done in her life, and they came to believe.“
—Indigenous Missionary, Somewhere in Uganda
