Sometimes, it’s easy to forget just how radically the gospel can transform lives.
When someone, even the most unlikely, hears the gospel and turns to Christ, their decision can impact entire communities—as our ABWE team in Nicaragua recently witnessed.
Napoleon spent his days on the streets. Abandoned by his father, he found acceptance in a neighborhood gang and joined in their lifestyle of substance abuse and crime.
One day, a street evangelist approached the gang to distribute food and share the gospel. Boldly looking Napoleon in the eye, he declared: “God has a purpose for your life.” But Napoleon mocked the man, refusing to listen to the message even as the evangelist returned, undeterred, week after week.
Meanwhile, Napoleon’s life spiraled out of control. He was arrested, briefly imprisoned, and left on the verge of death. Broken and desperate for change, he cried out, “If there is a God, I’m here. I want you to transform my life.”
He found the evangelist and finally listened to the gospel. On the same corner where he once drank and used drugs, Napoleon surrendered his life to Christ.
Napoleon’s life radically changed. He returned to the street corner—this time to share the hope he had found. “God put on my heart that just as Christ could change my life, he could do the same for other people,” he explained.
His passion for ministry led him to ABWE’s Institute of Church Planters, where missionaries and national partners gave him the training he needed to reach at-risk families and plant a church in his city. Through his ministry, God is changing the lives of others in the community and raising up more young men who are hungry to be used for Christ.
Around the world, ABWE missionaries are training new workers, equipping national leaders, and multiplying churches where Christ is not yet known. This Christmas, we’re asking God to raise up 50 new missionaries to carry the gospel to lost communities and train new believers like Napoleon. It takes about $7,000 to equip, prepare, and send a missionary, and we’re trusting God for the $350,000 necessary for this crucial work.
Would you prayerfully consider giving to the Global Gospel Fund to send these new workers? Every gift makes an eternal impact in reaching communities around the world.
