How we make disciples: YK in Southeast Asia

What does it look like to make disciples where you live?

Making disciples here, as in all places, is messy. There are two main ways we personally have seen the Lord bring people into the Kingdom and discipleship. The first is through healing.

During COVID, many people were out of work and did not have an income. We used that opportunity to meet practical needs and distributed food packets. During each visit, we offered prayer and would pray for the sick if they wanted it. We saw the Lord touch several people and bring physical healing to them. Some of them received healing, got their life back, and did not want anything else from us. Others wanted to know who it was that healed them and started studying the Word with us, and in the process, their family and a few neighbors received salvation. Now they are continuing to study the Word and follow Jesus together. Some religious leaders in the area have heard about the healings and now are open to meeting weekly to discuss stories from the Bible although they haven’t come into the Kingdom yet.

The second avenue we use to make disciples is through employment. Several people here have opened real businesses (providing a steady income) and offered Bible studies in contextually appropriate ways. As the Lord touches people through the Word and answered prayer, we have seen several people come into the Kingdom. In my case we have a house cleaner that comes daily. Along with trying to be a good boss and living with integrity, I have started to read the Bible and pray with my helper. She has begun to see the Lord answer prayers and although she is not in the Kingdom yet, she faithfully studies the Word with me, and I often share testimonies of what God is doing in my or my friend’s life. It is beautiful for me to see the Lord wooing her in a slow and gentle way.

Additional ways we have heard of disciples being made in our area is through “cultural bridges” (the things people already believe that are actually things Jesus teaches), through divine encounters on the street with people hungry for truth, and through dreams. In each of these cases the connection to Jesus comes when a Jesus follower takes risk and intentionally chooses to talk about Jesus in the form of testimonies, Bible stories, or simple questions about beliefs.

One example my friend uses is, “Have you heard of Jesus?” (using the culturally appropriate name for Him, not in English). Many people will not want to continue the conversation, but our job is to be ready so that when someone is interested, we are able to follow up or connect them with other believers who can continue to encourage their walk toward Jesus with prayer, the Word, and generally following God’s commands. Recently we’ve heard of two leaders who have made the connection that Jesus is their missing piece and have, along with all of their followers, begun the journey of following Jesus with our friend mentioned above.

In summary, discipleship looks like lots of awkward conversations, disappointment, waiting, and crying out to God. On the other hand it looks like joy, seeing miracles, forgiveness, reconciliation, and answered prayer.

“..let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 1b-2.

About the author: YK is a mother of three. She and her husband have lived and worked in Southeast Asia for the past six years with All Nations.

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