What a privilege to host Chinzorig and Ariuntuul Jigjidsuren from Mongolia in our home last week. Silk and I picked them up at Dana Point where we had a nice brunch together before heading up the coast to our home. They enjoyed seeing the Pacific Ocean from the cliffs of Laguna Beach (pictured above) along the way.
That same evening, we hosted some 30 friends to learn more about what God was doing in Mongolia. Little did we know the amazing stories we would hear. Chinzorig, or "Chinzo" as we call him, is the national director of A3/Mongolia and he shared how when he became a believer in 1996 there were only about 10 churches in the entire country — all of them led by foreign missionaries. A3 began just a few years later and Chinzo was already pastoring, just a year after he became a believer! Would you have done that?
Over time the small band of pastors in Mongolia and alumni of A3 shared a powerful vision: a vision to see 10% of their country discipled for Christ. By God's grace, today Chinzo reports that a minimum of 5% of the country is now following Christ. Alongside this vision is a powerful call to "Redeem the Road Slaughtered by Genghis Khan." The collective body of Christ of Mongolia want to plant churches along the entire bloody trail that Khan created years ago. These holistic mission centers will bring spiritual, physical and emotional healing to the places Genghis Khan brutally demoralized.
Chinzo took me, along with our colleague from a neighboring country, to meet the Mongol pastors from his nation. Seeing their passion and fruitfulness, our colleague stated:
"Joe, Mongolia is going to be the Antioch of Asia. They have the spirit that it will take to disciple the nations and take the hope of Christ across the nations."
What a joy to partner with people like Chinzo and Ariuna! To hear more about what God is doing in Mongolia read and listen to Chinzorig's news interview here: Body of Christ growing in former communist nation. You might also enjoy Rockin' Ulaanbaatar (for Christ) on FM 104.5
Chinzo with friend and A3 faculty member Phil Hodges
Ariuntuul with Silk
Share with us stories you have heard of the fruit of investing in choice servants like these… What is God doing through you to impact lives and change the world? I'd love to hear from you!
Joe Handley
