Deans' April prayer letter

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

The book of Acts is held up as an example of the methods and means that churches should use for the propagation and expansion of the Gospel. Currently, Faith Baptist Church where we minister is looking at Acts during our midweek service. The verse quoted above tells us that the ones who were scattered were not fleeing scared from persecution. They were escaping persecution, yes; but as they went, they continued to preach Christ crucified and resurrected!

A quick look at the first verse of the chapter shows us that those who were scattered were not the apostles who everyone would expect to be preaching. The ones scattered abroad were the new converts; the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.

In the same way that Jerusalem was the center of Jewish culture and society in the time of the apostles, Ulan Bator (also spelled Ulaanbaatar) is the center of Mongolian culture and society; so much so that all Mongolians refer to Ulan Bator as “the city.” Everything outside of Ulan Bator is “the countryside.” Rare is the occasion when a Mongolian leaves the city to minister in the countryside.

Every missionary’s goal is to see the ones whom he has led to the Savior preach the Good News to others. I was blessed and encouraged this past month when Baysaa (pronounced Buy•suh’) came to me to mention that he was planning to travel “to the countryside” in May. He wants to help his family, who are famers, plant the spring crop. He told me that he also has plans to preach Jesus Christ to them. My heart was full as I heard Baysaa’s plan to preach Christ to his own family. That he is one of the quietest Mongolians in the church only makes his

pronouncement even more significant. If Baysaa can be a bold witness to his family, anyone can be a bold witness.

For the past three weeks we have also had new visitors every week: Mongolians have been bringing their neighbors. These new visitors keep coming too. To me, this is another indication of Mongolians trying to reach Mongolians.

April is the month when we remember the resurrection of our Savior. We plan to look for extra opportunities to preach Christ and be witnesses to His resurrection this month. Please pray for us to have boldness and wisdom as we speak.