By Katey Hearth | August 27, 2024

Afghanistan (MNN) — Friday marks the third anniversary of the final U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Yesterday, on the anniversary of a suicide attack on Kabul that killed 13 U.S. servicemembers, presidential candidate Donald Trump emphasized rival Kamala Harris’s support of the chaotic withdrawal process.

Harris also affirmed her continued support of the withdrawal decision without commenting on servicemembers’ deaths.

While politicians use the withdrawal as an election talking point in the U.S., Afghans mourn yet another freedom lost under strict Taliban rule. New laws forbid women from speaking outside the home.

“Afghanistan [has] been in a continual state of decline since the pullout three years ago,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says.

For example, the Taliban continues to execute Christians when militants discover underground churches or individual believers. “On almost a weekly basis, we hear of people being captured, punished, and killed,” Kelley says.

“It’s a regular event, yet Christians are multiplying. They’re passionate about reaching their fellow Afghan brothers and sisters with the Gospel.”

Unknown Nations’ training center equips Afghan refugees in a neighboring country to reach their people for Christ. A recent graduation ceremony celebrated and launched the newest batch of Gospel workers.

“They cannot wait to go to Afghanistan and share the Good News because the power of the Gospel has transformed them,” Kelley says.

“The crazy thing is they understand that [surviving] even three years is probably beyond what would be expected.”

Ask the Lord to provide more laborers to make disciples and train believers in Afghanistan. Pray that training center “graduates” can start disciple-making movements in their homeland.

“Converts will not survive in a place like Afghanistan. The pressures are beyond description,” Kelley says.

“You have to have come to [an understanding as] Paul did in Galatians 2:20 where he said, ‘I must die so that Christ can live.’”

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Header image depicts women in burqas. Photo courtesy of FMI.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/afghanistan-new-laws-forbid-womens-voices-in-public/

By Lyndsey Koh | July 26, 2024

Bangladesh (MNN) — Bangladesh is slowly lifting an internet and communications blackout after crackdowns on riots and protesters killed almost 200 people.

It all started two weeks ago when student protesters began demanding an end to a quota that reserves 30% of government jobs for relatives of freedom fighters.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says, “One of the greatest fears that the government would have would be a student movement. It’s incredibly intimidating because they know the power of that and the substance of that. That’s what was happening, and so they began to negotiate to ease some of these quota restrictions.

“So the good news is that things are moving in the right direction. The bad news is it just was very revealing of how unstable a country like Bangladesh is.”

Along with the social unrest, Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority nation in deep spiritual darkness.

“If the Church around the world is looking at Bangladesh, they’re going to find a country that is in great need of the Gospel,” Kelley says. “I mean, you can’t look at a country of 173 million people, top 10 population of countries in the world, and less than 2% Christian [without] saying, ‘Oh my goodness, where is the Church at? Where are our missions efforts at?’”

So what can the Church do? Kelley says, “We need to get Bibles in there!”

Unknown Nations is reaching Bangladesh with biblical hope. In connection with ministry partners, “We distribute solar-powered audio Bibles by the hundreds in the Bengali language.”

Pray for the peace of Christ to permeate Bangladesh as a result of millions of people hearing Scripture and choosing to follow Jesus.

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Header photo courtesy of Unknown Nations.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/bangladesh-protests-an-internet-blackout-and-spiritual-darkness/

By Katey Hearth | July 22, 2024

Iran (MNN) — Iran’s growing footprint in the Middle East-North Africa region is a critical threat.

“They exploit instabilities, becoming more of a thorn in the side of the US, UK, the West in general,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says.

“Of course, Israel is ground zero for them; they want and believe in the annihilation of Israel.”

For example, Iran supports Hamas militants in Gaza, supplying them with a steady flow of funds, weapons, and training. Hezbollah enjoys similar benefits from Iran in Lebanon, where it threatens to begin war on Israel’s northern border.

Kelley says it’s all part of Iran’s regional strategy. “They’re looking for places that have already shown weaknesses so then they can come along and exploit that situation,” he explains.

Sudan is a newer front for the Islamic Republic and is in a key location on the Red Sea.

“Sudan definitely expands them into parts of Africa that they hadn’t been in prior,” Kelley says. “Sudan’s a super strategic area; it [has] access clearly to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Israel.”

While the regime plots regional domination, Iran’s people have never been hungrier for meaning.

“Over 95 percent of Iranians don’t have access to the Gospel, so we need to fix our eyes on means and avenues of getting the Gospel in there,” Kelley says.

“The people see no change, they see no hope, and ultimately, that creates opportunity for the Gospel.”

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In the header image, a mural in the holy city of Qom depicts Ayatollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, on the left and Ali Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran, on the right. (Photo/caption courtesy of David Stanley via Flickr)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/iranian-regime-plots-regional-domination-iranian-people-seek-meaning/

By Louise Lamb | July 18, 2024

International (MNN) — Unknown Nations embraces the heart of Christ-like collaboration through a partnership with MegaVoice to bring more audio Bibles to unreached people groups.

“It’s critical,” Greg Kelley from Unknown Nations says, “that we all recognize what our sweet spots are, where our strengths are, and none of us are going to be able to do it alone, that is, to carry out Jesus’ last words. We have to do it collectively and together. I quite honestly believe that is the environment that Jesus blesses the most.”

Unknown Nations focuses on reaching the unreached people groups in the 10/40 window through local missionaries, humanitarian relief, and distributing audio bibles in areas with 0.00-0.02 gospel presence.

MegaVoice makes solar-powered audio Bibles and partners with different ministries to distribute them so all people can hear the Gospel in their own language.

Kelley says this collaboration with MegaVoice is vital and allows Unknown Nations to focus on its “sweet spot”, distributing the gospel to unreached areas.

“We need to realize when Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations that requires a church, but it also requires the Word of God. If somebody is an oral learner, then we have to realize there needs to be another way for the Word of God to hit this person’s heart.”

According to the International Orality Network, there are 5.7 billion oral learners in the world and 2.7 billion are unreached. As a response to this need, Unknown Nations and MegaVoice agree through their collaboration that teaching everyone how to read is not practical, but to deliver the Word of God through audio Bibles that will reach the oral learner’s hearts and help them become disciples.

Pray for God to bless these ministries’ efforts as they work together to spread the gospel. Ask God to prepare the hearts of the unreached people for His Word so when the Gospel comes, it may lead many people to Him.

Collaborate with Unknown Nations in this ministry by joining their prayer movement.

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Header photo of Treasure audio Bible courtesy of Unknown Nations.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/collaboration-in-christ-the-sweet-spot-in-audio-bible-distribution/

By Katey Hearth | July 9, 2024

Iran (MNN) — Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran’s runoff election, surpassing hardliner rival Saeed Jalili by 2.8 million votes.

On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei met with members of former president Ebrahim Raisi’s cabinet to “set expectations” for the president-elect.

Pezeshkian has never held a high-security post before. The cardiac surgeon promises to ease tensions with the West and improve social freedoms. However, many Iranians doubt his ability to fulfill those promises, as Khamenei holds the highest authority in the Islamic Republic.

Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says, “There’s [still] going to be human rights atrocities, lack of religious freedom, targeting of minority people groups, [and] crackdowns on people standing up for freedom. So, we need to pray for the Iranian people because they are in the crosshairs of the enemy.”

Gospel work continues, thanks to opportunities in nearby countries like Iraq.

Because Western sanctions stymie Iran’s economy, believers are “leaving Iran to get goods, services, supplies [in a neighboring country], and then they’re going back into Iran,” Kelley explains.

“There’s [an] opportunity for us to train leaders and equip them so that when they do go back into Iran, they can effectively share the Gospel.”

Pray for the continued protection of believers willing to risk everything to share Christ. Pray that Unknown Nations can get the resources needed to distribute more solar-powered audio Bibles in Persian languages.

“There are Iranian followers of Jesus who are eager to share the Good News amongst their brothers and sisters inside Iran because they know that [the] Gospel is the only hope,” Kelley says.

“Pray that they have boldness and courage as they share the Gospel inside of Iran.”

 

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Header image depicts celebration at Pezeshkian’s electoral headquarters on July 3, 2024. (Wikimedia Commons)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/unexpected-leader-takes-the-helm-in-iran/

 

By Lyndsey Koh | June 10, 2024

Pakistan (MNN) — Mob violence has claimed another life in Pakistan. We reported that 74-year-old Nazir Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was attacked on May 25 after he was accused of burning pages from the Koran.

The radical Muslim mob beat him unconscious, and his family was placed under police protection. Last week, Masih passed away from his injuries. He was a well-respected businessman in his community.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says no Pakistani Christian is safe from false blasphemy charges and the vigilante mob.

“Many of them are just ginned up, false accusations. But the point of that is that the justice system is really afraid because once it gets said that an individual violated a blasphemy law, then the court systems are in a tricky spot because they’re afraid. They know what the power of the mob is [and] that vigilante justice that will kick in.”

Although there is fear, videos from Masih’s funeral showed fellow believers publicly praising Jesus.

Pray faithful Christians in Pakistan would cling to and proclaim the Gospel.

“We need to pray that truth is revealed,” Kelley says. “We need to pray that these Christian leaders would have boldness and they would have courage. If they were here, that’s what they would be asking for. They would say, ‘Pray that I have boldness. Pray that I have courage.’”

Please also pray for the attackers, that they would recognize their need for a Savior in Jesus Christ.

 

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Header photo courtesy of Junaid Nawaz/Unsplash.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/vigilante-mob-kills-pakistani-christian-over-blasphemy-accusation/

 

By Katie Hearth | June 7, 2024

Bangladesh (MNN) — Cyclone response is underway in Bangladesh, but the United Nations says more help is needed. UN teams are distributing hygiene kits and water purification tablets as water sources remain contaminated in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says Bangladesh’s geography makes it particularly vulnerable. “The Bay of Bengal is a breeding ground for cyclones,” he explains.

“Every year, it’s not a matter of if but when the cyclones come up. So, you’ve got this massive, highly concentrated area of humanity in low-lying areas, and when a storm comes through, it’s devastating.”

Cyclone Remal, the first tropical storm of the season, hit Bangladesh and eastern India last week. Extremely heavy rain and high-speed winds battered the area for more than 36 hours, making Remal one of the longest cyclones in Bangladesh’s history.

More than three million people were affected in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

“Electricity is still out in different places; it’s not just your house [that gets] affected, but when the storm surges come in, it destroys all their crops,” Kelley says.

“Their literal source of existence is destroyed, and it’s months and months before they can recover.”

Pray for endurance for the believers meeting storm survivors’ tangible and spiritual needs.

“It’s a great opportunity to come alongside, be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Kelley says. “We’ve heard countless stories of Muslims receiving Jesus in the aftermath of a disaster like the cyclone that just hit Bangladesh.”

 

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Header image shows path of Cyclone Remal through the Bay of Bengal. (Wikimedia Commons)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/cyclone-remal-response-provides-gospel-opportunity/

Dear friend, 

I recently returned home from Bangladesh. It represents ground zero and the center of the bullseye for our vision at Unknown Nations. It is a country that is the same size as the state of Wisconsin. There are 6 million people who live in Wisconsin while 172 million live in Bangladesh, making it one of the most densely populated places on Earth! Within those 172 million people in Bangladesh are 298 different nations (people groups), including the Bengali Muslim who are the largest unreached nation in the world!

Reaching the Bengali Muslim

The Bengali people are a nation of 132 million people, yet less than 1 in 10,000 are Christian. They are in desperate need of a gospel witness. Ministry is difficult in this hostile environment because of cultural persecution. Family members completely reject, and often persecute, other family members who receive Christ. Communities refuse water and food to those who dare be baptized. Children are turned away from schools because their families decide to follow Jesus.

Persecution is a daily reality for those who decide to follow Jesus. The Bengali Muslim people need more Treasures and clean water projects. Seeing the living water arrive in this parched land will bring both physical and heart transformation. The key, however, for exponential transformation is the discipleship and training of Bengali leaders. The only way for the Bengali to be effectively reached is by their ability to raise up leaders who will go and make disciples!

Unknown Nations Training Centers

At Unknown Nations, we have prioritized the establishment of our training centers to do exactly that. The fruit of disciple-making movements in existing locations has been amazing! Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Philippines are just a few examples of the many locations where we have established these centers to train leaders.

At any given point, we are training hundreds of leaders in these centers. For instance, we recently celebrated the graduation of 130 leaders from our center in Nepal and another 90 are in the current class there. Local Nepali leaders are pouring into these precious lives that will soon be canvassing the vast Himalayan Mountains, searching for those who have never heard of Jesus. They will distribute Treasures and establish listening groups in order to plant indigenous churches. Equipped with essential Treasure and other ministry tools, they are the hands and feet of Jesus, showing His love to others for the first time.

 

 

We need to train indigenous leaders so that nations can experience the love of Jesus. The local people are ready to sacrifice their lives for this calling. They willingly go into the most spiritually antagonistic environments and face cultural and political persecution. In fact, 5 of our recent graduates from a closed access country just gave the ultimate sacrifice. They were exposed as they led people to Christ and established underground churches, only to face a public execution. That is the reality these graduates face. One leader told me they expect these new leaders to live anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. He said,  “Anything beyond that would be a miracle.” These new leaders step boldly with faith into the calling that God has on their lives.

Let’s finish the task of taking the gospel to those nations where Jesus is unknown!

Together in the Harvest, 

Greg Kelley, CEO

The Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh were already struggling with severe issues such as disease, malnutrition, and vulnerability to natural disasters. Now, they are facing the additional burden of escalating violence. The presence of armed factions and criminal gangs have made the camps even more unstable. These groups are often in conflict with one another, creating an environment of fear and oppression.

We are so thankful to be partnered with indigenous leaders on the ground in Bangladesh who can stay connected despite the current restrictions. These leaders have developed networks inside the camps that can continue ministering and reaching out to these precious people despite the instability.

We are eager to report that the Holy Spirit continues to move powerfully among the Rohingya refugees. Our Director of Ministry in Bangladesh recently shared the above photo of he and Iresh (name changed for protection), a man who has begun a new Treasure listening group in one of the 33 camps that the Rohingya people of Myanmar have called home since 2018.

This listening group started very small, but has now multiplied to a size of 25 people who gather together on a regular basis to listen to God’s Word.

Our leaders are pouring into these hungry hearts, praying over them, answering their many questions, and teaching them the basics of Christian living.

Now, months later, many of them are ready to be baptized!

Please pray for these dear ones who are ready to declare their commitment to Jesus through water baptism and those who are on the verge of making this decision. Let us pray that the Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified throughout the country of Bangladesh and beyond (2 Thessalonians 3:1)!

By Katie Hearth | May 23, 2024

Kenya (MNN) — Heavy rainfall continues to plague Kenya. The deluge is causing floods and landslides across 80 percent of the country.

The floods have displaced more than 280,000 people since early April, and at least 277 have lost their lives.

“For the better part of the last couple of decades, so much of Kenya has been in drought,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says.

 “Anytime you go from the extremes of drought conditions into excessive rains, it’s always going to be traumatic.”

While a large percentage of Kenya’s population knows and follows Christ, there are pockets of unreached people groups – mostly in the refugee community. These groups are affected by the flooding, too.

“It (natural disaster) creates a tremendous opportunity for us, as the body of Christ, to come alongside people and love them in Jesus’s name,” Kelley says, describing efforts to help Kenyan believers affected by the flooding.

“But also, let’s not miss the opportunity to share the Gospel where it’s most needed.”

Pray that responding Christians can identify groups who don’t know the Lord and will share the Gospel as they give out humanitarian aid.

“Unreached people have the same concerns as the Christian community has. They want to provide for their children, have a roof over their heads, clothing, and access to food, just like any other human being,” Kelley says.

“When you are in a disaster situation, that desperation makes you question everything. What better time for the Body of Christ to come alongside and declare the love of Jesus?”

 

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Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Hermann Traub/Pixabay.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/victims-of-kenya-floods-include-unreached-people-groups/

By Katie Hearth | May 15, 2024

Yemen (MNN) — An unexpected pair poses a new threat to Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthis are working with a feared local branch of Al-Qaeda on several fronts, including prisoner swaps and weapon deliveries.

Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says the partnership creates even more danger by adding another layer of chaos to war-torn Yemen. Currently, “you have the Houthis fighting, you have the military involved, and then you have Saudi Arabia and Iran doing a proxy war inside of Yemen,” Kelley says.

The constant instability hinders aid deliveries to people in need. Meanwhile, sanctions hurt the economy and lower the buying power of Yemeni families. As a result, “You have millions and millions of people who are affected and at risk of dying of hunger,” Kelley says.

“Yemen is in the top five percent [of] greatest need from a humanitarian and a spiritual condition.”

Half of Yemen’s population, more than 17 million people, face severe hunger. A more significant percentage desperately needs Jesus, the Bread of Life. “Almost 100 percent of Yemenis are Muslim, and less than one-half of one percent are followers of Jesus,” Kelley says.

“Most of them have never heard the Gospel in their life.”

Christian activity is strictly forbidden in Yemen, so Unknown Nations trains Yemeni Gospel workers in Egypt. Contact Unknown Nations here for more details and ways to help.

“We’re training leaders; we are sending in solar-powered audio Bibles because the majority of the population in Yemen don’t read,” Kelley says.

Pray believers will have Gospel opportunities as they bring physical help to people who need it most. “Because the humanitarian crisis is so devastating, it’s a tremendous opportunity for the body of Christ, as we deploy aid into that place, to also share the love of Jesus,” Kelley says.

 

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Header image depicts an April 2020 bombing in Yemen. (Photo courtesy of Felton Davis/Flickr/CC2.0)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/houthis-team-up-with-al-qaeda-in-yemen/

In an update from our Chadian Indigenous Leader, we were blessed to hear about the impact of Treasure audio Bibles in areas facing significant challenges. Amid growing water shortages, Christians, in particular, can often be overlooked in spiritually antagonistic areas. This was particularly relevant in a region of Chad, until a recent turn of events.

Our leader sent a package of Treasure audio Bibles to an indigenous missionary in the East side of the country, where water scarcity was severe. These Treasures were downloaded with the heart languages of several nations in the region. One of these audio Bibles was gifted to the Muslim neighbor of the missionary, whose daily profession involved transporting water to areas affected by shortages. Sadly, because the water supply is a borehole located in a local Islamic Center, Christian families in the area, including the missionary, were often excluded from receiving aid.

As the neighbor listened to the Treasure, something remarkable happened. He returned to the missionary, expressing gratitude for the audio Bible, asking where he got it, and describing it as a “marvelous word.” This encounter marked a turning point. The neighbor’s heart softened, and he began extending kindness to the Christian families in the area where the missionary and other believers resided, giving them access to water.

This transformation is a testament to the power of the Word of God to break down barriers in the face of persecution. As this man’s heart continues to soften, please join us in praying for his courage and boldness to fully embrace Christ and join in sharing the Good News.

We are immensely grateful for your support in bringing the light of Jesus to the darkest corners of the Earth. Together, we are making His presence known and transforming lives!

Greetings from Myanmar. I hope you are doing well by the grace of God. Though we are passing through the most difficult time in our nation, because of the political and economic situation, our faithful God is at work among our people through His Word! We are just instruments for His Kingdom and righteousness.

I would like to share a testimony with you about the birth of a church inside of an IDP (Internally Displaced People) camp by listening to the Treasure audio Bibles. Because of the partial civil war in our country, many people have fled to our region as their houses and villages were totally destroyed. They live on a farm not far from our training center, so we’ve had the privilege of making friends with them and supporting them as much as we can.

During a Christmas outreach two years ago, we gave Treasures to some of their key elders and they began listening together in groups. By listening to the Treasures repeatedly and receiving follow up through our leaders, some of them have begun to believe in Jesus and confess their sins. As of today, we have baptized 47 of them at the center. All of these new believers have a Buddhist background and they have decided to accept Jesus as their Savior and only follow Him all the rest of their lives!

Now one of our leaders pastors this new church and I visit there often. It is still growing by the grace of God and many of these IDPs are still tasting and inquiring more about Jesus. Many listen to the Treasure daily. Hallelujah! These IDPs shared with us that at one time they thought they were the unluckiest people when they had to flee from their villages. Now they feel they are the luckiest people, because they have found eternal life in Jesus by listening to the Treasure, in spite of losing their homes and properties!

Thank you for sending us Treasures and for supporting us in these outreaches and follow up. We are in the harvest! Let’s reap more together.

Dear friend, 

During one of my recent trips, I met the owner of a brick kiln in Pakistan. On the surface, he appeared to be a well respected, successful business leader in his community. Behind the scenes, he exhibited many of the cruelest expressions of humanity.

This kiln owner would beat and sexually abuse the enslaved women for not meeting their daily 1,500 quota for making bricks. He chained men to trees for taking a drink of water at the wrong time of day. And perhaps the most heinous of all, taking children from their parents when they didn’t meet his demands and selling them into the horrors of sex trafficking for a few extra bucks! Can you imagine trying to survive in a scarier environment?

Unfortunately, this experience does not represent the exception, it is the norm for more than 5,000 brick kiln owners across Pakistan.

Yet, in a moment, everything changed for this man and his 2,000 slaves. 

Our team shared the gospel with this man and he fell under conviction of the Holy Spirit and surrendered all to Christ! The change was immediate and dramatic.

The first sign of transformation came when a middle-aged woman hysterically lunged at my feet. I quickly realized that her tears were of complete jubilation. Through her tears, she explained that the 2-year-old daughter she lovingly held in her arms would no longer be sold! Since the child was born, the brick kiln owner had been threatening the mother. He planned to sell the child into trafficking when she turned five, ensuring she would never be seen again.

This mother was the first person the newly-reformed kiln owner saw after receiving Jesus. He promptly told her that the child was safe and that he would never separate the two. Over and over again, the sobbing mother thanked our team. 

Another woman in her mid sixties embraced a member of our team. She was older with health issues and could not make the brick quota. Upon his transformation, the slave owner released her and her family instantly from a bondage they had endured for two generations. She was exuberant!

 

Before we left an hour later word had spread that another four families had been set free. This man was going on a rampage for Jesus! And his first targets of this newfound compassion and love, were those he had oppressed the most. 

When we met with this kiln owner a second time, he told our team how he had seen Jesus. He was committed to becoming a new man transformed in the power of Jesus. Repeatedly he asked us why we hadn’t come earlier and why he hadn’t been informed sooner. He said he would not have done those heinous things if he had only known Jesus! 

This is just the beginning of this incredible testimony. Our team of indigenous missionaries on the ground will continue to walk alongside this man and disciple him. Work must also be done to help the slaves he’s released and those who will become free. We have the ability to assist him in freeing slaves across more than ten kilns under his ownership. 

Would you help us pray for this man and his slaves? Pray that his fire for Jesus continues to grow and govern his actions and that his testimony will spread like wildfire from one kiln owner to the next. 

 

 

This is how the horrific brick kiln culture will be transformed in Pakistan. Owners who control these businesses must come into contact with the gospel and slaves must be set free. That is our mission at Unknown Nations, bringing light into the darkest corners of the Earth - places where Jesus is not yet known. We invite you to join us! 

In the bonds of Calvary, 

Greg Kelley, CEO

By Katie O'Malley | March 27, 2024

Pakistan (MNN) — When Unknown Nations gospel workers entered a slum in Pakistan, a prominent witch doctor thought he was ready for them.

“These (slums) are places where people are living amongst the trash. These are people groups most of (whom) have never heard the gospel before, and they’re controlled by witch doctors,” says Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations. Human trafficking and human sacrifice are also horrible realities there.

“When the Bible says that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, that is a literal statement in the Bible, and that is real and active in Pakistan.”

The witch doctor summoned two powerful demons to harm the Christians, but things didn’t go as he expected. He later shared with the Christians, “I saw them burn up.”

The man asked them what they had done to make this happen. 

“We said, ‘Sir, we didn’t do anything. But the reason that those demons were burned up is because of Jesus and the power of God.’ So we shared the gospel with him, and this guy gave his life to Christ,” Kelley says.

The man immediately turned away from witchcraft. He has begun to learn God’s Word and be discipled by local Christian leaders Unknown Nations partners with, who take action immediately in situations like this.

This spiritual 180 has angered the people the man was leading.

“He’s absolutely in danger. I mean, these places are very dark. Any place where there’s human sacrificing going on, the disregard for human life is just, it’s unimaginable,” Kelley says.

Please pray for this new brother in Christ, that the trappings of his old life will have no hold on him whatsoever.

“Pray that (he) continues to keep his heart open to the Lord. Pray that he has the courage to be able to step away from those (former, evil relationships) and into his new, healthy relationships,” Kelley says.

 

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Header photo is a representative stock image of a man in Pakistan courtesy of Syed Muazzam Ali Taqi/Unsplash.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/witch-doctor-turns-to-christ-i-saw-them-burn-up/