How Their Ministries Grow

These believers stand as a living testimony of God's increase in Asia.

Gospel for Asia missionary Hirla Harish faithfully brings the Good News to Asian men, women and children, many who are hearing Christ's name for the first time. Learn how his ministry—and that of more than 16,500 GFA missionaries—is helping advance God's kingdom in some of the most unreached areas of the world.

In biblical times, Jesus left the responsibility of the world's harvest in the hands of His 11 disciples. Today, these fields are just as ripe, and Jesus' final command to His followers is as strong as it ever was.

Asia, home to more than half of the world's population, is currently the continent most unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just like the disciples, Gospel for Asia missionaries are obeying Jesus' call to the harvest and are reaping much fruit as a result. Churches are planted every day, and it is typical for a missionary to establish at least one believers' fellowship during his first year on the mission field.

So what is causing such tremendous growth among nations where the light of the Gospel has yet to shine brightly? In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul gives the answer: "Neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:7, NKJV).

After graduating from Bible college, GFA missionaries are sent to various places throughout Asia. As they enter a village or city there is nothing about their appearance that makes them stand out. Yet Jesus' love flows out in the form of tracts and gentle words, and the lost begin to see a major difference between their lives and that of the missionaries.

Often poor health, lack of money, family tensions and demon possession leave people in desperate situations. They have tried everything they know to fix their problems, seeing a doctor, appeasing deities or pursuing sorcerers. At the end of these paths, however, their situations become more desperate, and their hope fades.

Then they meet a GFA missionary who shares about someone named Jesus, the living God who loves them and can give them eternal life. Since all of their efforts have failed, they think that perhaps this God can actually help them. The missionary will pray for them, and to their joyful surprise, their situation begins to change. Often sicknesses are healed, addiction and abuse chains are broken and demons are cast out.

In response to seeing Christ's compassion and power, people frequently receive Christ and experience spiritual as well as physical transformation. Excited about their newfound faith, they spread the word about what the Lord has done, and their family and friends often give their lives to Jesus as well. In addition, witnesses who see these miracles with their own eyes tell others about the experience. A single village leader who allows a missionary to talk about Christ can also inspire other people in these areas to believe. Soon, simple mission stations with a handful of seekers grow into thriving churches.

At the same time, missionaries face many obstacles and trials from those who refuse to believe the Gospel. They are accused of using unethical means, such as force, money or other enticements, to gain converts. They sometimes suffer physical attacks and threats of injury and sometimes death.

But each Gospel for Asia missionary goes forth clearly knowing Jesus' command-and the risks. And these dark forces are not so strong that they can completely stop the growth of the church. Jesus gave that promise to His followers before returning to heaven. After all, it is Almighty God Himself giving the increase.

Read more about God's harvest in Asia.