When I interviewed a missionary, Sam*, who worked in South Asia, he shared how he reached out to share the Gospel. He and his wife run an orphanage where they live and his ministry planted 57 churches in 2024 and baptized over 900 believers. They take food, clothing, and medicine to people in IDP (Internal Displaced People) camps.
A Child Rescued
Sam shared about rescuing Peter, a two-year-old whose parents died. Peter had been abandoned to die when Sam found him. Sam explained that his son, Jamgunlim, an eight-year-old child, chose to care for Peter and would check on him by touching his head. He would say, “Mom, Peter has a fever. You need to treat him.” Jamgunlim and his 11-year-old brother, Jamhaolen, are involved in caring for all the orphans. When an orphan gets sick, Jamgunlim and his brother pray for the orphan to be healed.
Inspiring Others to Serve
Sam’s driving force in ministry is the question: How can we serve one more soul? He is passing that passion to serve on to his sons and the children in the orphanage. Rebecca, who was raised in the orphanage, graduated from high school. When she learned that a ministry-run orphanage in another area needed a Math and English teacher, she said, “Dad, why can’t I go and work there among my brothers and sisters?” She has been teaching for 6 months and sharing the Gospel with the children.
Working for the Kingdom
Sam encouraged his sons to have jobs and earn money. They clean the orphanage each week and earn $5.79. Sam urged them to tithe and then save the rest of their money.
The boys heard Sam and his wife praying for a missionary in their ministry who was struggling financially. Jamhaolen asked Sam, “Why can’t I give all my money to the missionaries?” Sam’s wife commented to her son, “See, you are doing like your dad. You save nothing for yourself. You give everything away.” His response to her was, “The Lord will provide.”
A Young Witness for Jesus
Jamgunlim shared with his friend. “Arjun, you are my good friend, and I don’t want to lose you. So, I want to be with you even in heaven.” He told Arjun to accept Jesus as his Savior so they could be in heaven together. Arjun asked, “Can I believe in the local god and have Jesus as my Savior?” Jamgunlim told him that was not possible. Several months later, Arjun said, “I want to be with you in heaven. Also, let me believe in Jesus. I don’t want any more local gods.”
Evangelizing in School
One day, Sam and his wife were called to the public school that JamgunIim attends. They were told that their son had caused chaos and would be suspended from school. The principal explained that the students were in a values class and the teacher discussed monkey, snake, and elephant gods.
Jamgunlim said, “Ma’am, I have something to say.” She asked him, “What?” He then shared, “Only Christians will go to heaven; all others go to hell. You have to believe in Jesus only, and then you can go to Heaven.”
Sam was told that this statement caused confusion in the school, so he told his son to refrain from talking about Jesus at school. Jamgunlim responded, “They talk about the local gods, and I will talk about Jesus.” Sam explained to the principal, “My son will no longer talk about Jesus in class. But you also should avoid discussing other gods in this class because school should be an education center, not a religious center.”
One More Soul
Sam, as a missionary, travels more than half of the year. Yet he is still able to influence his sons so that they want to serve Jesus and help others to know Jesus as their Savior. The country they are in is now persecuting and killing Christians. There is the possibility that the orphanage could be burned to the ground and the family killed. But they do not live in fear. Sam said they wake up every morning and ask, “Lord, one more soul.”
Next Steps
You can help Sam and other missionaries who work to spread the Gospel despite difficult circumstances through prayer. Download the 7 Days of Prayer for Missionaries prayer guide to find ways you can pray for them.
*The name was changed for the protection of the missionary.
