Source: International Mission Board, July 28, 2021
“Mark” found faith in Christ about five years ago, reports IMB missionary Owen Stoddard. Mark comes from a South Asian Muslim background and works as a painter in his local community to provide for his wife and young daughter.
After Mark became a Christian, he obediently participated in baptism and began to boldly share the saving power of Christ with his fellow villagers. Mark’s obedience cost him his good reputation within the community and has affected his ability to find people who will hire him.
“Deciding to trust Christ and be baptized has blessed Mark with joy in Christ and fellowship with God’s people,” said Stoddard. “However, his faithfulness to share how Christ can also save other villagers causes locals who disapprove of his bold witness to speak out against him. As a result, it has become difficult for Mark to find work. Nevertheless, he has remained faithful to Christ.”
When Mark’s South Asian country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdowns left many families without jobs and a way to find food. Many residents are day laborers, working the rice and vegetable fields to feed their families.
Yet Mark sought out the man who was the most responsible for publicizing his conversion and encouraging his persecution and gave his own family’s food to this man—his enemy.
Read more from IMB: New Strategies Emerge as Japanese Churches Face Future Without Pastors and Japanese Hunger for Hope on the Horizon (featuring a good infographic).