Last post we looked at the stirring call from MENACA the category that Foursquare designates for Middle East, North Africa and Centra Asia.  This is an area that is very unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and often very hostile towards intervention and even entry of Christian workers.  Our National Leader from Turkey shared a stirring story about how he met Christ through an incredible story of brokenness, seeking help through the God of Islam, and finally in desperation abandoning this “god” who was unloving, unseen and unknowable.  Through a series of encounters with a Bible, an orthodox church miles away and the person of the Holy Spirit encountering him, Ishan came to know Jesus and now is a pastor and church leader, effectively an apostle in one of the least evangelized countries in the world.

I have been so impressed by Foursquare’s intentionality in seeking to meet the needs of this region, but we are falling so short.  The number of Foursquare churches, and churches in general in this region is most often below 1%.  An amazing realization that I encountered, is that the Foursquare church of Sri Lanka led by Leslie Keegle, birthed during years civil war, danger and deep demonic oppression, has sent, by far the most church planters into this region.  One would think that nations whose infrastructure, economic strength would be the most active in evangelism, but this practically doesn’t seem to be the case.  Could it be that those for whom it cost the most, who have suffered the most to come the Jesus are willing to pay the most for Him and for the expansion of the Gospel?

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped themwith the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  LUKE 4:43-47

It has been exciting to see a call to this region coming not just to the U.S. or Western church, but to the global church.  One new development is a group of missionaries being launched into the strategic Central Asian country of Kazakstan.  Follow the link to read the article and view the following video below.

Would you join the Foursquare church in beginning to pray for this region of the world?