Steps of Courage

What happens when a local pastor develops a heart for those without access to the gospel?

Mark Brink knows that gospel access among Muslim people groups doesn't happen by accident. As Director of Global Initiative: Reaching Muslim Peoples, a ministry of AG World Missions, Mark equips the Church to bring the gospel to Muslim communities who have never heard the truth of Jesus.

During a training event in West Africa, one pastor asked the question, “Why am I only focusing on my local church?”

With growing conviction, the pastor continued: “I need to reach people who have never heard the gospel before.”

The pastor returned home determined to put his training into action. He mobilized his church to reach nearby villages, showing the love of Christ through medical clinics, food and clothing distribution, and sharing the Good News.

At first, the results were discouraging. The pastor saw no one respond to the gospel, and he began to wonder if his efforts had made any difference.

But God was already working in ways he could not see.

Soon, a tribal leader from one of the villages called the pastor and asked him to return.

When the pastor arrived, the leader brought him to a hut where a woman was suffering from a poisonous snake bite. She faced the possibility of losing her leg. The tribal leader remembered what the pastor had shared about Jesus and His power to heal, and he asked, “Will you pray in Jesus’ name that she would be healed?”

The pastor prayed, asking God to restore her completely. A week later, the tribal leader called again.

When the pastor returned to the village, he found that the woman had fully recovered.

What first looked like a disappointing outreach became an opportunity for God to reveal His power in an unexpected way. Through one act of obedience to bring gospel access to a Muslim village, God opened doors for many to witness His work and hear about His love and grace.

Today, through five mission schools across Africa, Mark Brink continues to equip believers to step out in faith, trust God with the results, and bring the hope of the gospel to unreached Muslim communities throughout the region.

WAYS TO PRAY:

• Pray for more believers to be equipped to faithfully share the gospel with unreached Muslim communities.
• Ask God to give Muslims open hearts to accept the truth of the gospel and say yes to Jesus.
• Pray for pastors and believers in Africa as they step out in faith to share the gospel, build relationships, and serve their Muslim neighbors with love and compassion.

What if you had the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus with someone from a Muslim background, but you weren’t sure where to begin?

The Online Training Institute offers a free class designed to help you engage Muslims with the message of Jesus, better understand Muslim beliefs, and confidently share the gospel through thoughtful, Christ-centered conversations.

Whether you’re preparing for cross-cultural ministry or simply want to be equipped to love your neighbors well, this training will help you take the next step in sharing the Good News of Jesus.