Yunas lives in a place surrounded by snow-capped mountains—a small town where his parents raised him to follow the teachings of Islam.

As a young man, he moved to a large city in the region. But Yunus struggled to find work. Unemployed and desperate, he got mixed in with a gang and quickly rose through the ranks to become a leader. Using his influence and connections, he started a business selling contraband on the black market, and within a couple of years, he had grown quite wealthy.

Then Yunas met a believer who introduced him to Jesus Christ. Through reading the Word, Yunas was transformed into a dynamic and gifted evangelist. A few of his gang members also embraced Jesus.

Unemployed and desperate, he got mixed in with a gang.

But as most of the others abandoned him, Yunas’ wealth dwindled and his status faded. He returned to his hometown penniless. Nevertheless, he felt rich in Christ, and he planned on sharing the Good News with everyone he knew.

But no one in his hometown welcomed him. Everyone had all heard that Yunas was following Jesus, and they told him not to darken their doorways ever again. They called him a traitor and accused him of accepting money from foreigners to leave Islam.

Once again, Yunas felt desperate. He needed to find work.

He heard about a Frontiers team’s training program to equip new Muslim-background believers to run small businesses. In the program, participants learned about a community-based business model that could bless local economies and open doors to share the Gospel in Muslim communities.

Yunas signed up for a three-week training course. Every day, he traveled across mountain passes to attend the training. At the end, he received a loan to start a small agricultural venture that would provide him with income and also give him opportunities to visit other communities.

Today, Yunas’ business has given him opportunities to share the Gospel with hundreds of customers in his region.

He has helped plant over fifty house churches involving almost five hundred new Muslim-background followers of Jesus. Almost all his friends and relatives—those who told him never to come into their homes again—are now following Christ.

Yunas is financially independent, and he’s also bringing economic blessing and spiritual hope to families and communities in the region.

“Starting my business,” Yunas says, “was a key component of my ministry.”

• Pray that Yunas’ business would continue to bear economic and spiritual fruit.
• Ask the Lord to equip local Muslim-background believers with tools and skills to advance the Kingdom in their families and communities.
• Pray for Frontiers workers as they train new believers to make disciples and plant churches among Muslims.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.** 

Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/article/business-hope