Gospel miracles in Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN) – In an area of Africa fraught with violence and poverty, God is drawing new believers to Himself.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says he recently visited an area of Northern Nigeria that is almost exclusively Muslim. In addition to the lack of Gospel saturation, the poverty is striking.

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Nabado's Story

First, I recently returned home from Nigeria, a country that has been incredibly impacted by the efforts of cross-cultural missionaries. In 1900, less than 5% of this great country was Christian. Today, the southern half of Nigeria - more than 100 million people - follow Jesus! A celebration indeed! Yet, despite this success, there is still a monumental task required.

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Christians disproportionately targeted in Nigeria violence report

Nigeria (MNN) — A first-of-its-kind report was just released looking at ethnic and religious violence in Northern Nigeria. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa examined incidents of extreme violence in the region between October 2019 and September 2023.

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A Somali Encounter With CIISE

The Joshua Project reports Somalis to be the largest unreached people group in the Horn of Africa, with an overwhelming 99% identifying as Muslim and less than 1% as Evangelical Christians. The Somali people are known for their hardness towards the gospel, a people that are nearly impossible to reach. Using Somali Treasures as a ministry tool has perfectly positioned God’s Word to soften hearts that are hungry for something more.

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Hope remains amid Sudan’s despair

Sudan (MNN) — The United Nations Security Council votes to extend current sanctions against Sudan by another year. The bans include asset freezes, travel restrictions, and an arms embargo.

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Stories of Impact

From Impossible Places

Gospel miracles in Nigeria

Gospel miracles in Nigeria

November 11, 2024 11:21 AM
November 11, 2024 11:21 AM

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Nigeria (MNN) – In an area of Africa fraught with violence and poverty, God is drawing new believers to Himself.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says he recently visited an area of Northern Nigeria that is almost exclusively Muslim. In addition to the lack of Gospel saturation, the poverty is striking.

By Anna Deckert | November 11, 2024

Nigeria (MNN) – In an area of Africa fraught with violence and poverty, God is drawing new believers to Himself.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says he recently visited an area of Northern Nigeria that is almost exclusively Muslim. In addition to the lack of Gospel saturation, the poverty is striking. He says, “When you come you feel the depravity of the people’s lives. You see poverty in every direction. You see villages that people are suffering just for daily necessities, drought conditions, and yet God is moving in power in this place.”

Two Villages Turn to God

God’s work has been especially evident in two villages in the area. Despite political and social turbulence a team was able to complete a water project in one village. This opportunity opened the door to sharing the Gospel with the village chief. As a result, he and his whole village turned to the Lord in repentance and faith.

As if that were not extraordinary enough, God miraculously healed a man with epilepsy in a second village.

Kelley says, “It caught the attention of all of the leaders in the area, particularly the witch doctor, who had tried many times to heal this individual, but to no avail. But God healed him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now both of these villages in northern Nigeria, near the border of Niger, are 100% Christian. It’s just an unbelievable experience for us here at Unknown Nations.”

A Cause for Rejoicing

Believers in these villages are hungry for the Word of God. By their own reports, they cannot spend enough time hearing about their Savior.

“They’re consuming the Word of God. They’re listening to the Treasure, our solar powered audio Bible. The witch doctor himself, he testified. He listens now to the Word of God from sunup until sundown. We are rejoicing in what God is doing in this part of the world.”

Please pray that God will continue to grow these new believers in truth and understanding of the Gospel.


Image courtesy of Tep Ro from Pixabay

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/gospel-miracles-in-nigeria/

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Nabado's Story

Nabado's Story

November 5, 2024 2:32 PM
November 5, 2024 2:32 PM

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First, I recently returned home from Nigeria, a country that has been incredibly impacted by the efforts of cross-cultural missionaries. In 1900, less than 5% of this great country was Christian. Today, the southern half of Nigeria - more than 100 million people - follow Jesus! A celebration indeed! Yet, despite this success, there is still a monumental task required.

By Greg Kelley | November 5, 2024

Visiting Northern Nigeria

First, I recently returned home from Nigeria, a country that has been incredibly impacted by the efforts of cross-cultural missionaries. In 1900, less than 5% of this great country was Christian. Today, the southern half of Nigeria - more than 100 million people - follow Jesus! A celebration indeed! Yet, despite this success, there is still a monumental task required.

In the north, Muslim strongholds are very hostile towards Christianity. Nations like the Fulani, Hausa, and Kanuri - totaling almost 100 million people - are still awaiting their first gospel witness. As we visited these northern tribes, we witnessed our vision and strategy at Unknown Nations in action. God is using this approach to bring His eternal hope and transformation.

 

Reaching a Hausa Village

Just over six months ago, a village we visited had never heard the truth of the gospel. Gaining access to these communities only comes through building relationship and sharing tangible expressions of Christ's love. These universal forms of communication, allow our gifted network of indigenous missionaries to engage communities.

This particular village faced a very challenging water supply issue. Families were walking more than 3 miles to get water filled with bacteria and parasites. Prior to our visit, our indigenous leader requested a water well be drilled in this community. This act of love opened hearts in this Muslim community, including its most influential leader, the witch doctor!

As this witch doctor eagerly received our Hausa audio Bible, the Holy Spirit dramatically touched his heart. Once he received Christ, the rest of the families followed. One by one, this previously 100% Muslim community has become 100% Christian. Leaders are now being discipled and the indigenous village church is thriving! Community members have already memorized dozens of scripture references. All in six months!

We hope this video gives you joy as you watch this witch doctor and Muslim community come to know Jesus.

Watch Now

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Christians disproportionately targeted in Nigeria violence report

Christians disproportionately targeted in Nigeria violence report

October 15, 2024 11:02 AM
October 15, 2024 11:02 AM

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Nigeria (MNN) — A first-of-its-kind report was just released looking at ethnic and religious violence in Northern Nigeria. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa examined incidents of extreme violence in the region between October 2019 and September 2023.

By Lyndsey Koh | October 15, 2024

Nigeria (MNN) — A first-of-its-kind report was just released looking at ethnic and religious violence in Northern Nigeria. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa examined incidents of extreme violence in the region between October 2019 and September 2023.

With 30,880 civilian deaths, the report found Christians were disproportionately targeted. Christians accounted for 16,769 of civilian deaths; 6,235 Muslims were killed. The rest had no known religious affiliation.

Much of the violence in northern Nigeria came from Fulani herdsmen. Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says, “What aggravates it is the constraint of grazing land, and then the fact that the Fulani are Muslim and the farmers are Christian. So you have that religious tension that comes in there too.

“There are a lot of dynamics that are at work here; but fundamentally, Christians are being killed and…the government largely is non-responsive to these atrocities.”

Unknown Nations works with some Christians in southern Nigeria to go into the North with audio Bibles. But Kelley says those with the greatest heart to reach Muslims in northern Nigeria with the Gospel are Christians at risk in the North.

“That’s been our focus is, as we pray…how do we mobilize the Christians in the North? They will be the ones who will reach the Fulani. They will be the ones who reach the Hausa and the Kanuri.”

Pray for the resilience of faithful Nigerian Christians sharing Jesus in persecution. Ask God to open the eyes of Fulani Muslims to the truth of the Gospel.

“Until we get a heart for the nations that we will maybe never meet this side of eternity for the fact that they are separated from Jesus and an eternal presence with Him – until we get that conviction – then things are not going to change.”

 


Header photo courtesy of Tope A Asokere/Unsplash.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/christians-disproportionately-targeted-in-nigeria-violence-report/ 

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A Somali Encounter With CIISE

A Somali Encounter With CIISE

October 4, 2024 1:18 PM
October 4, 2024 1:18 PM

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The Joshua Project reports Somalis to be the largest unreached people group in the Horn of Africa, with an overwhelming 99% identifying as Muslim and less than 1% as Evangelical Christians. The Somali people are known for their hardness towards the gospel, a people that are nearly impossible to reach. Using Somali Treasures as a ministry tool has perfectly positioned God’s Word to soften hearts that are hungry for something more.

The Joshua Project reports Somalis to be the largest unreached people group in the Horn of Africa, with an overwhelming 99% identifying as Muslim and less than 1% as Evangelical Christians. The Somali people are known for their hardness towards the gospel, a people that are nearly impossible to reach. Using Somali Treasures as a ministry tool has perfectly positioned God’s Word to soften hearts that are hungry for something more. In the words of one of our leaders, “These audio Bibles articulate the gospel best, conveying things that we are often too afraid to share in evangelism...The Treasure is like a full time missionary among the Somalis.”

Abshir (name changed for his protection) is a young Muslim man who encountered the Treasure in his own heart language. When our leaders realized he was genuinely searching for the truth, they welcomed him into their home. They became like family and began sharing their faith with him, often over a cup of spiced tea, which Somalis love. They listened to a Somali Treasure together often. Abshir had many questions, amazed to hear the Gospel in his own language.

One night, after listening to the audio Bible, Abshir said, “I have listened to this radio and I believe what it says. It has taught me things I never knew... I’m ready for anything you tell me to do.” When our leader asked him what he meant by this, he hesitated before saying, “I’m ready to become like you, a follower of CIISE (Jesus in Somali).” To confirm Abshir’s decision, Jesus appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Abshir, you have begun a new life. Do not be afraid. I will always be with you.” This encounter filled him with inexpressible joy! His demeanor changed and his classmates and teachers noticed his glowing face.

As he grew in his faith through the consistent follow up of our leaders, he introduced them to his relatives and asked that they share the gospel with them as well. Abshir faced severe persecution from many, even death threats from his own family. Despite these difficulties, Abshir continues to strengthen himself in the Lord as he listens to Scripture. Our leaders have since had opportunities to share with his family. Let us pray together that the Good News will take root in their hearts and that Abshir will walk in divine boldness as he continues to serve the Lord with his whole heart!

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Hope remains amid Sudan’s despair

Hope remains amid Sudan’s despair

September 13, 2024 10:26 AM
September 13, 2024 10:26 AM

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Sudan (MNN) — The United Nations Security Council votes to extend current sanctions against Sudan by another year. The bans include asset freezes, travel restrictions, and an arms embargo.

By Katey Hearth | September 13, 2024

Sudan (MNN) — The United Nations Security Council votes to extend current sanctions against Sudan by another year. The bans include asset freezes, travel restrictions, and an arms embargo.

Sanctions have born little success so far in moving either of the warring parties to the negotiating table. An ongoing war between Sudan’s army and rebel forces backed by the United Arab Emirates has uprooted more than 10 million people since April 2023.

“They’re in the midst of their third civil war in the last 50 years,” Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says.

“When we hear ‘Sudan,’ we associate that with carnage, and what happens is [we] get apathetic. But we should care, as followers of Jesus, because Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations.”

Sudan is facing the worst levels of food insecurity in its history, with more than half of its population in acute hunger. Famine conditions were confirmed earlier this month in several displacement camps.

“Children are dying every single day of starvation. That’s not a pleasant sight, and it’s happening by the dozens in both South Sudan and Sudan,” Kelley says.

Yet amid Sudan’s despair, hope remains. “People are open. They’ve lost every earthly possession, and they’re sitting in a tent in a country that’s not their own,” Kelley says.

“They are asking questions. When you’re in that position, and someone comes with the life-transforming message of the Gospel, that heart is ready to receive.”

Partner with Unknown Nations here to support this work in Sudan.

“We need to be praying for the Christian leaders because they share the Good News in the most difficult of environments. Pray that God would give them strength and courage.”


Header photo depicts Sudanese refugees being baptized in Chad. (Header and story images courtesy of Unknown Nations)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/hope-remains-amid-sudans-despair/ 

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Believers pair help and hope in Pakistan flood response

Believers pair help and hope in Pakistan flood response

September 9, 2024 10:27 AM
September 9, 2024 10:27 AM

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Pakistan (MNN) — Torrential rains in Pakistan trigger displacement and suffering in the same areas devastated by monsoon floods in 2022.

By Katey Hearth | September 9, 2024

 

Pakistan (MNN) — Torrential rains in Pakistan trigger displacement and suffering in the same areas devastated by monsoon floods in 2022.

Every year, “It’s not a matter of if, but when the monsoons come in,” Unknown Nations CEO Greg Kelley says. “The devastations vary, but this year, it’s been on a dramatic level.”

Some villages remain cut off by snake-infested floodwaters and are only accessible by boat. In one district, farmers lost 80 percent of their cotton crops – a primary source of income – and the floodwaters killed hundreds of animals.

In most disaster zones, Kelley says, “They don’t have access to clean water, so we need to get water, food provision, temporary shelter” to flood-affected areas.

Charity organization Save the Children says more than 150 kids have lost their lives since the start of monsoon season in July. That’s over half of all the deaths recorded so far. Another 200 children have been injured.

Believers walk alongside struggling families with the compassion of Christ.

“Whether I am hostile to the Gospel or I’ve been a follower of Jesus my whole life, I care about the well-being of my children,” Kelley says.

“When my child is suffering, and they want to care for that child and love that child unconditionally, it does something to the heart.”

Support Unknown Nations’ efforts to provide help for today and hope for tomorrow here.

“That act of love does an amazing thing. It takes these people who are hostile to the Gospel and opens their hearts up so that we can deposit the Good News of Jesus Christ,” Kelley says.


Header and story images courtesy of Unknown Nations.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/believers-pair-help-and-hope-in-pakistan-flood-response/ 

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Persecution continues amid calls for change in Afghanistan

Persecution continues amid calls for change in Afghanistan

September 4, 2024 10:29 AM
September 4, 2024 10:29 AM

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Afghanistan (MNN) — A growing number of religious scholars in Afghanistan are openly challenging the Taliban’s restrictions on female education. Even some clerics working for the government have opposed the ban.

By Katey Hearth | September 4, 2024

Afghanistan (MNN) — A growing number of religious scholars in Afghanistan are openly challenging the Taliban’s restrictions on female education. Even some clerics working for the government have opposed the ban.

Meanwhile, Afghan women sing to protest new Taliban decrees seeking to erase women from wider society. The “vice and virtue” laws, approved two weeks ago, are the Taliban’s first formal declaration since taking power in 2021.

As more voices join the resistance to Taliban rule, some practices carry on just the same. For example, persecution remains at an all-time high.

Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says Afghan partners recently shared the following report:

“A couple of underground workers reached this village, and they had a lot of fruit; people were responding to the Gospel. The Taliban heard about it, they went to that village, and every man, woman, and child was executed. There [are] atrocities like that happening daily inside of Afghanistan.”

The good news? “There was one survivor who we connected with, and now he’s being equipped and trained [as a Gospel worker to Afghanistan,]” Kelley says.

Unknown Nations partners with believers in a neighboring country to help Afghan refugees become missionaries to their homeland.

“At that training center, we pour into Afghans who are being multiplied, and their target is to reach Afghanistan with the Gospel,” Kelley says.

“Every Afghan [understands] the depth of despair within Afghanistan. They also understand there’s only one solution, and that is the hope of the Gospel.”

Contact Unknown Nations to learn how you can help train Afghan Gospel workers.

“Pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth the laborers [who are] willing to die, thrive, and multiply into Afghanistan,” Kelley requests.

“Before Jesus told us to go, Jesus gave us the action word – to pray. He said, ‘Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers.’ In places like Afghanistan, Iran, and that whole corridor of the world, we need more laborers.”


Header image is a representative stock photo depicting a scene in mountainous Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy of Joel Heard/Unsplash)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/persecution-continues-amid-calls-for-change-in-afghanistan/ 

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A Dangerous Walk of Faith to Access God’s Word

A Dangerous Walk of Faith to Access God’s Word

September 1, 2024 9:47 AM
September 1, 2024 9:47 AM

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Amina (name changed for protection) is a 56-year-old woman whose deepest desire was to study God’s Word and grow in her faith, but she couldn’t read. In her village, no one knew how to read. She prayed for months, asking God to make a way for her to understand the words of the Bible.

Amina (name changed for protection) is a 56-year-old woman whose deepest desire was to study God’s Word and grow in her faith, but she couldn’t read. In her village, no one knew how to read. She prayed for months, asking God to make a way for her to understand the words of the Bible.

One night as she slept, Amina had a supernatural encounter. In a dream, she was instructed to go to a nearby village where she would find God’s Word. Amina woke up, her heart pounding with excitement. It was still dark outside, but she eagerly asked her son to take her to the village. He declined, saying it was too late to go.

Despite her son’s concern about the late hour and the dangers of wild animals in their area, Amina felt compelled with an urgency from God. She decided to venture out by herself and walked for an hour and half in the dark. Amina trusted that God had something extraordinary waiting for her.

An Act of Faith and Indescribable Joy

When she arrived at the village, she saw our Indigenous Leader’s team packing up their van after an outreach event. In an act of faith, she approached them and shared her dream. As it happened, they had brought 20 Bibles to distribute during their event but had only given out 19. With great joy, they handed the last Bible to Amina.

But this was not a printed Bible – it was a Treasure audio Bible in her very own heart language. When they explained that she could listen to God’s Word instead of reading it, Amina’s face lit up with indescribable joy. She clutched the Treasure to her chest, with tears streaming down her face, and exclaimed, “This is the best day of my life!” She felt as though God Himself was speaking to her.

Amina’s heart overflowed with gratitude and praise as she thanked God for answering her prayers in such a miraculous way! What a mighty God we serve.

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Afghanistan: New laws forbid women’s voices in public

Afghanistan: New laws forbid women’s voices in public

August 27, 2024 10:01 AM
August 27, 2024 10:01 AM

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Afghanistan (MNN) — Friday marks the third anniversary of the final U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

By Katey Hearth | August 27, 2024

Afghanistan (MNN) — Friday marks the third anniversary of the final U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Yesterday, on the anniversary of a suicide attack on Kabul that killed 13 U.S. servicemembers, presidential candidate Donald Trump emphasized rival Kamala Harris’s support of the chaotic withdrawal process.

Harris also affirmed her continued support of the withdrawal decision without commenting on servicemembers’ deaths.

While politicians use the withdrawal as an election talking point in the U.S., Afghans mourn yet another freedom lost under strict Taliban rule. New laws forbid women from speaking outside the home.

“Afghanistan [has] been in a continual state of decline since the pullout three years ago,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says.

For example, the Taliban continues to execute Christians when militants discover underground churches or individual believers. “On almost a weekly basis, we hear of people being captured, punished, and killed,” Kelley says.

“It’s a regular event, yet Christians are multiplying. They’re passionate about reaching their fellow Afghan brothers and sisters with the Gospel.”

Unknown Nations’ training center equips Afghan refugees in a neighboring country to reach their people for Christ. A recent graduation ceremony celebrated and launched the newest batch of Gospel workers.

“They cannot wait to go to Afghanistan and share the Good News because the power of the Gospel has transformed them,” Kelley says.

“The crazy thing is they understand that [surviving] even three years is probably beyond what would be expected.”

Ask the Lord to provide more laborers to make disciples and train believers in Afghanistan. Pray that training center “graduates” can start disciple-making movements in their homeland.

“Converts will not survive in a place like Afghanistan. The pressures are beyond description,” Kelley says.

“You have to have come to [an understanding as] Paul did in Galatians 2:20 where he said, ‘I must die so that Christ can live.’”


Header image depicts women in burqas. Photo courtesy of FMI.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/afghanistan-new-laws-forbid-womens-voices-in-public/

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New Graduates Building the Kingdom

New Graduates Building the Kingdom

August 1, 2024 11:21 AM
August 1, 2024 11:21 AM

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Just last month a group of graduates wrapped up their one year leadership training program in Indonesia. Our Indigenous Leader shared that these 20 students will be sent to their mission fields to share the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Just last month a group of graduates wrapped up their one year leadership training program in Indonesia. Our Indigenous Leader shared that these 20 students will be sent to their mission fields to share the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Recent Visit

Back in November, an Unknown Nations team visited Indonesia to witness the ministry being done on the ground. Our CEO, Greg Kelley, had the opportunity to encourage and pray over these students during their time at the training center. After reading Acts 1:8 he challenged them by saying,

“Think of this, the perfect power of Jesus Christ at work inside of your life - so that the world would know. And that is your assignment, that the world will know.

It was an emotional moment as the team laid hands on each student and prayed over them. We are excited to hear reports on the fruit of their ministry!

Celebrating the Graduates

To celebrate these graduates, our leader held a beautiful open air graduation service. He told us it was a wonderful moment to pray, share an impartation, and anoint them as they are sent to the remotest parts of Indonesia for church planting. One of the graduates gave a moving speech expressing her gratefulness for the love, prayer, support, and teaching they received during the program.

When these students started at the mission school, they had an understanding and eagerness to return to their people and tell them about Jesus. They now have an eight day journey by bus and passenger ship as they travel to their mission fields.

Please join us in asking God to use these precious vessels as ambassadors for His Kingdom. Pray that they would continue to grow in their faith as they depend on God fully and continue to practice what they’ve learned over this last year.

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Bangladesh: Protests, an internet blackout, and spiritual darkness

Bangladesh: Protests, an internet blackout, and spiritual darkness

July 26, 2024 10:56 AM
July 26, 2024 10:56 AM

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Bangladesh (MNN) — Bangladesh is slowly lifting an internet and communications blackout after crackdowns on riots and protesters killed almost 200 people.

By Lyndsey Koh | July 26, 2024

Bangladesh (MNN) — Bangladesh is slowly lifting an internet and communications blackout after crackdowns on riots and protesters killed almost 200 people.

It all started two weeks ago when student protesters began demanding an end to a quota that reserves 30% of government jobs for relatives of freedom fighters.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says, “One of the greatest fears that the government would have would be a student movement. It’s incredibly intimidating because they know the power of that and the substance of that. That’s what was happening, and so they began to negotiate to ease some of these quota restrictions.

“So the good news is that things are moving in the right direction. The bad news is it just was very revealing of how unstable a country like Bangladesh is.”

Along with the social unrest, Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority nation in deep spiritual darkness.

“If the Church around the world is looking at Bangladesh, they’re going to find a country that is in great need of the Gospel,” Kelley says. “I mean, you can’t look at a country of 173 million people, top 10 population of countries in the world, and less than 2% Christian [without] saying, ‘Oh my goodness, where is the Church at? Where are our missions efforts at?’”

So what can the Church do? Kelley says, “We need to get Bibles in there!”

Unknown Nations is reaching Bangladesh with biblical hope. In connection with ministry partners, “We distribute solar-powered audio Bibles by the hundreds in the Bengali language.”

Pray for the peace of Christ to permeate Bangladesh as a result of millions of people hearing Scripture and choosing to follow Jesus.


Header photo courtesy of Unknown Nations.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/bangladesh-protests-an-internet-blackout-and-spiritual-darkness/

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Iranian regime plots regional domination; Iranian people seek meaning

Iranian regime plots regional domination; Iranian people seek meaning

July 22, 2024 10:55 AM
July 22, 2024 10:55 AM

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Iran (MNN) — Iran’s growing footprint in the Middle East-North Africa region is a critical threat.

“They exploit instabilities, becoming more of a thorn in the side of the US, UK, the West in general,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says.

By Katey Hearth | July 22, 2024

Iran (MNN) — Iran’s growing footprint in the Middle East-North Africa region is a critical threat.

“They exploit instabilities, becoming more of a thorn in the side of the US, UK, the West in general,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says.

“Of course, Israel is ground zero for them; they want and believe in the annihilation of Israel.”

For example, Iran supports Hamas militants in Gaza, supplying them with a steady flow of funds, weapons, and training. Hezbollah enjoys similar benefits from Iran in Lebanon, where it threatens to begin war on Israel’s northern border.

Kelley says it’s all part of Iran’s regional strategy. “They’re looking for places that have already shown weaknesses so then they can come along and exploit that situation,” he explains.

Sudan is a newer front for the Islamic Republic and is in a key location on the Red Sea.

“Sudan definitely expands them into parts of Africa that they hadn’t been in prior,” Kelley says. “Sudan’s a super strategic area; it [has] access clearly to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Israel.”

While the regime plots regional domination, Iran’s people have never been hungrier for meaning.

“Over 95 percent of Iranians don’t have access to the Gospel, so we need to fix our eyes on means and avenues of getting the Gospel in there,” Kelley says.

“The people see no change, they see no hope, and ultimately, that creates opportunity for the Gospel.”

In the header image, a mural in the holy city of Qom depicts Ayatollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, on the left and Ali Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran, on the right. (Photo/caption courtesy of David Stanley via Flickr)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/iranian-regime-plots-regional-domination-iranian-people-seek-meaning/

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Collaboration in Christ: the “sweet spot” in audio Bible distribution

Collaboration in Christ: the “sweet spot” in audio Bible distribution

July 18, 2024 10:55 AM
July 18, 2024 10:55 AM

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International (MNN) — Unknown Nations embraces the heart of Christ-like collaboration through a partnership with MegaVoice to bring more audio Bibles to unreached people groups.

By Louise Lamb | July 18, 2024

International (MNN) — Unknown Nations embraces the heart of Christ-like collaboration through a partnership with MegaVoice to bring more audio Bibles to unreached people groups.

“It’s critical,” Greg Kelley from Unknown Nations says, “that we all recognize what our sweet spots are, where our strengths are, and none of us are going to be able to do it alone, that is, to carry out Jesus’ last words. We have to do it collectively and together. I quite honestly believe that is the environment that Jesus blesses the most.”

Unknown Nations focuses on reaching the unreached people groups in the 10/40 window through local missionaries, humanitarian relief, and distributing audio bibles in areas with 0.00-0.02 gospel presence.

MegaVoice makes solar-powered audio Bibles and partners with different ministries to distribute them so all people can hear the Gospel in their own language.

Kelley says this collaboration with MegaVoice is vital and allows Unknown Nations to focus on its “sweet spot”, distributing the gospel to unreached areas.

“We need to realize when Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations that requires a church, but it also requires the Word of God. If somebody is an oral learner, then we have to realize there needs to be another way for the Word of God to hit this person’s heart.”

According to the International Orality Network, there are 5.7 billion oral learners in the world and 2.7 billion are unreached. As a response to this need, Unknown Nations and MegaVoice agree through their collaboration that teaching everyone how to read is not practical, but to deliver the Word of God through audio Bibles that will reach the oral learner’s hearts and help them become disciples.

Pray for God to bless these ministries’ efforts as they work together to spread the gospel. Ask God to prepare the hearts of the unreached people for His Word so when the Gospel comes, it may lead many people to Him.

Collaborate with Unknown Nations in this ministry by joining their prayer movement.


Header photo of Treasure audio Bible courtesy of Unknown Nations.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/collaboration-in-christ-the-sweet-spot-in-audio-bible-distribution/

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Unexpected leader takes the helm in Iran

Unexpected leader takes the helm in Iran

July 9, 2024 10:45 AM
July 9, 2024 10:45 AM

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Iran (MNN) — Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran’s runoff election, surpassing hardliner rival Saeed Jalili by 2.8 million votes.

By Katey Hearth | July 9, 2024

Iran (MNN) — Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran’s runoff election, surpassing hardliner rival Saeed Jalili by 2.8 million votes.

On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei met with members of former president Ebrahim Raisi’s cabinet to “set expectations” for the president-elect.

Pezeshkian has never held a high-security post before. The cardiac surgeon promises to ease tensions with the West and improve social freedoms. However, many Iranians doubt his ability to fulfill those promises, as Khamenei holds the highest authority in the Islamic Republic.

Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says, “There’s [still] going to be human rights atrocities, lack of religious freedom, targeting of minority people groups, [and] crackdowns on people standing up for freedom. So, we need to pray for the Iranian people because they are in the crosshairs of the enemy.”

Gospel work continues, thanks to opportunities in nearby countries like Iraq.

Because Western sanctions stymie Iran’s economy, believers are “leaving Iran to get goods, services, supplies [in a neighboring country], and then they’re going back into Iran,” Kelley explains.

“There’s [an] opportunity for us to train leaders and equip them so that when they do go back into Iran, they can effectively share the Gospel.”

Pray for the continued protection of believers willing to risk everything to share Christ. Pray that Unknown Nations can get the resources needed to distribute more solar-powered audio Bibles in Persian languages.

“There are Iranian followers of Jesus who are eager to share the Good News amongst their brothers and sisters inside Iran because they know that [the] Gospel is the only hope,” Kelley says.

“Pray that they have boldness and courage as they share the Gospel inside of Iran.”

 


Header image depicts celebration at Pezeshkian’s electoral headquarters on July 3, 2024. (Wikimedia Commons)

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/unexpected-leader-takes-the-helm-in-iran/

 

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Vigilante mob kills Pakistani Christian over alleged blasphemy

Vigilante mob kills Pakistani Christian over alleged blasphemy

June 10, 2024 1:37 PM
June 10, 2024 1:37 PM

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Pakistan (MNN) — Mob violence has claimed another life in Pakistan. We reported that 74-year-old Nazir Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was attacked on May 25 after he was accused of burning pages from the Koran.

By Lyndsey Koh | June 10, 2024

Pakistan (MNN) — Mob violence has claimed another life in Pakistan. We reported that 74-year-old Nazir Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was attacked on May 25 after he was accused of burning pages from the Koran.

The radical Muslim mob beat him unconscious, and his family was placed under police protection. Last week, Masih passed away from his injuries. He was a well-respected businessman in his community.

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says no Pakistani Christian is safe from false blasphemy charges and the vigilante mob.

“Many of them are just ginned up, false accusations. But the point of that is that the justice system is really afraid because once it gets said that an individual violated a blasphemy law, then the court systems are in a tricky spot because they’re afraid. They know what the power of the mob is [and] that vigilante justice that will kick in.”

Although there is fear, videos from Masih’s funeral showed fellow believers publicly praising Jesus.

Pray faithful Christians in Pakistan would cling to and proclaim the Gospel.

“We need to pray that truth is revealed,” Kelley says. “We need to pray that these Christian leaders would have boldness and they would have courage. If they were here, that’s what they would be asking for. They would say, ‘Pray that I have boldness. Pray that I have courage.’”

Please also pray for the attackers, that they would recognize their need for a Savior in Jesus Christ.

 


Header photo courtesy of Junaid Nawaz/Unsplash.

Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/vigilante-mob-kills-pakistani-christian-over-blasphemy-accusation/

 

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