Sammy* finds new gospel voice with the young

By Sammy* | East Asia

Representative image by Getty Images Signature.

I love this verse: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9), because it really makes me glad to know that the Lord can be glorified even through a simple man like me.

There were many challenges in my ministry, particularly with speaking in the local language.

When I first arrived, I started my two-year full-time language course.

But despite my best efforts, even after five years I could not speak the language well.

Though I managed to pray after three years and share a gospel message after four years in the language, I lacked the local accent.

One day, one of the church leaders told me that I would soon speak the local language well. Yes, I wanted to but, really, I could not. Of course, I felt very ashamed but I did not give up.

Later I began to manage a youth vocational centre. The young people from the local communities came to study technical skills in our centre. I taught them the Bible every day and developed deep relationships with them. I rejoiced when I realised they were able to understand well when I spoke and soon became disciples.

Whenever I visited the villages with my students and shared the gospel in the widely-spoken official language, they translated my message into their own tribal language. They liked to serve the Lord and they soon became my translators and valued assistants in the ministry.

They were confident to stand in front of people and serve along with me. The Holy Spirit truly led them to grow spiritually too.

The local church leaders were very happy with my idea of encouraging the youth and involving them in ministry. They allowed more of their young believers to join our leadership training programmes.

The local pastors invited my students to go with them to serve in the villages and family churches too. It was a breakthrough for the local church to start focusing on training their young people.

Jesus’s grace, strength and power are my secrets in moving forward seriously in ministry.

Though speaking the local language was initially my biggest challenge, I praise and thank God for using me to bless my students, the new disciples and the churches in this region too.

Pray

•For Sammy* to continue building relationships with the young people he meets.

•For the young people of his region to be inspired by the gospel and step forward to serve.

•For the local church to see just how much young people can contribute to gospel ministry and be open to them taking on leadership roles.

*name changed for privacy