The pastor cautioned the mission team that they might not be able to verbally share the gospel with Central Asians during their collaboration with the International Mission Board. The young adults from a church in Georgia were taken aback. They had devoted significant effort to evangelism in their own diverse community, undergoing training, practicing diligently, and sharing their faith openly.
Andre found himself grappling with the pastor’s warning. Since his life was transformed by Jesus in 2021, he had been eager to share the gospel with everyone he encountered. Knowing that there were people in Central Asia who had never heard of Jesus filled him with urgency. “What if they never find out about Christ?” he pondered.
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The pastor explained that in this culture, sharing the gospel begins with demonstrating it through actions. He urged the team of young adults to be intentional in developing relationships with the Central Asian college students they encountered. The men on the trip focused on building one-on-one connections, while the women worked collaboratively in small groups to achieve the same goal.
The young adults engaged with the Central Asian college students through hiking, laughing, sharing meals, and conversing. One Muslim student, whom Andre befriended, invited him to tour an orthodox church, mistakenly believing it resembled Andre’s church back in Georgia.
As Andre began to explain the differences between the two churches, he sensed it was a perfect opportunity to discuss his faith. However, the student cut him off, stating frankly, “I don’t know you well enough to talk about that.”
At that moment, the significance of “intentionality” became clear to him.
“They need to witness the gospel through our actions,” Andre acknowledged. “Once trust is established, THEN we can share with words.”
Alanis resonated with Andre’s experience. In her women’s group, her team dedicated themselves to demonstrating love and asking thoughtful questions to truly connect with each student. Days later, when they revisited the orthodox church, Alanis and her teammate Sarai prayed for an opportunity to embody the gospel.
Embracing the Art of Listening
“I aimed to offer my best to God,” Alanis reflected, even if it meant taking a step back to listen as the college women shared their own religious beliefs. After cultivating relationships over several days, the women inquired about Christianity. One student took Alanis by the hand and led her to a quiet corner of the church, where she felt comfortable enough to let Alanis share the entire gospel with her.
“That experience was profoundly impactful for me,” Alanis added. “I could see how God moves through our interactions and relationships.”
Andre experienced a similar revelation when his new Central Asian friend pulled him aside towards the end of their mission trip. After sharing numerous stories about their families and lives, the college student looked directly at Andre and indicated it was time for him to express his faith verbally. They spent hours discussing, and the conversation continued through text.
Bringing the Gospel to Life
Sarai shared that realizing the power of intentionality in leading to meaningful gospel conversations was a lesson she and her teammates from Georgia needed to encounter firsthand.
“I learned the importance of not just speaking words but of living out the gospel,” Sarai explained. “If our generation is to leave a mark on the world, we must truly embody our love for Christ. It requires aligning our hearts with His and letting that love manifest through our actions and deeds.”
