“Sometimes we wonder if it’s worth it,” said Roger quietly as he fought off tears.
Roger knows that Jesus Christ is worth following—even in light of the cost.
Every day, hundreds of Frontiers workers testify to Jesus’ worth as they persevere in the countries God has called them to. For some, it comes at great personal cost.
But eclipsing this cost is the joy of making Christ known among those who have yet to hear the Good News.
Join us as we glimpse into the lives of four persevering Frontiers workers and families—and discover what sustains them in some of the hardest places in the world.
Roger and Elizabeth’s Story
Roger, Elizabeth, and their children live in a conservative and politically unstable Muslim nation. For almost a decade, they’ve been reaching one of several Muslim people groups in the country, searching for those whose hearts are primed for the Gospel.
Life in this country demands tenacity and endurance through scorching summers and harsh winters. They’ve face threats on their lives, political unrest, and civil conflict. It’s a place that requires strength of character, emotional stability, and faith.
“We’ve seen workers leave because of security, stress, or attacks on their lives,” Elizabeth says. “We’ve had enough of our own security incidences to be pretty amazed that we are still able to live here. It’s a privilege to be able to stay in spite of all of this.”
“All the workers here dealt with some sort of trauma,” Roger added. “We’re all tired.”
They have little to show for their endurance. Only a handful of Muslims have shown interest in the Gospel.
But what keeps Roger and Elizabeth going is their deep sense of expectancy for God to do great things.
“People here are desperate and afraid because of the chronic instability in the country,” Roger explains. “They’re questioning society and religion. That creates opportunities for us to share truth from God’s Word.”
Given the worsening security situation, many locals are seeking ways to leave the country. “That means that they are even more intrigued by our presence,” says Elizabeth. “They look at us and ask, ‘What in the world are you doing here? Why are you here, when we’re all trying to leave? It would be so easy for you to pack up and leave at any moment.’”
These questions reveal deep cultural shifts and growing potential for spiritual awakening. And when that awakening breaks through, Roger and Elizabeth will be there to help bring in the harvest.
“It would be easy for us to give up,” Roger says. “But among the millions of people we are trying to reach, we are the only ones who speak their language and who are trying to bring the hope of the Gospel to them.”
John’s Story
John’s entire adult life has been spent reaching unengaged Muslim people groups in Africa.
“When I first went to Africa, I was clueless about the spiritual wrestling I’d have to engage in,” John says.
His journey has involved living in six countries and making twelve international moves over four years. From government expulsions to severe illness, each of his moves has been precipitated by circumstances outside of his control.
“You go to the field, and everything seems to go wrong,” John says of his field experience. “Everything unexpected seems to happen.”
“You set up a business, and then…” John sweeps an outstretched arm in front of him, theatrically wiping out everything he’s worked toward.
“The government regulations change. Then the president gets ousted.” Another sweep of his arm eliminates political stability.
“Then a fellow missionary gets arrested. Then everyone gets kicked out. Then you move to a neighboring country, and there is war.”
With each event, a sweep of John’s arm obliterates illusions of control, stability, and good planning. All of it is annihilated in a moment.
“But then, fitting somewhere into all these traumas, there are the good things—like my friend Ali, a Muslim-background follower of Jesus whom I disciple,” John continues. “He planted five house churches and personally saw 40 people come to faith. That number eventually turned into 100. That happened while I was away, feeling helpless in another country.”
“In His sovereignty, God is superintending His purposes into all of our trials and wrestling.”
Paul’s Story
Paul moved to Iraq after the fall of Saddam in 2003.
“As followers of Christ, you and I have all of eternity to enjoy security and stability,” Paul says. “By God’s grace, we should be able to endure instability for a few short decades of life on earth.”
Reflecting on Iraq’s tumultuous era, Paul states, “It is an unstable and poorly governed country. But what we have received is an unshakable Kingdom. Jesus has made us holy and righteous. That means we can live fully in this world, demonstrating the power of God’s Kingdom. Our security is promised to us in eternity.”
Amy and Joe’s Story
“God gives us grace just when we need it,” says Amy, a Frontiers worker and mother of three.
After a few years of living in the country God had called them to, Amy and Joe’s family had to leave due to the increasing threat of conflict.
Instead of returning to America, they followed the trail of refugees and asylum-seekers from their host country to a neighboring country.
“Before the exodus, our local friends saw us as rich benefactors. Now that we’ve experience the same disruption to our lives as they did, they see us as their peers.”
Like their refugee friends, Joe and Amy grieve over lost jobs, a home, and security.
The notable difference in their grief, however, is their hope in Christ. As they minister to their friends, Joe and Amy offer hope that, in Jesus Christ, “we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14.)
“We know that we have eternity to rest in comfort and safety,” Joe says. “As followers of Jesus, we are to move toward those who are suffering and offer the hope of the Gospel.”
Serving among those who are suffering comes at a cost. Joe and Amy’s family are far from the social support of their family, church, and friends. They’ve faced the stress of moving a young family through transitions outside of their control. They enjoy few comforts and diversions that are considered the norm in the U.S.
The great joy for Joe and Amy and their children is discovering how God comes through in their times of need.
“I have found that God gives grace for whatever hardship I am facing,” Amy says. “He promises to give His grace so that I can endure. But He often gives it just when I need it—not before.”
Is the cost of following Christ worth going to the hardest places in the Muslim world?
Yes. In the words of Paul, we “count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord … in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
For His sake, we endure loss to make Him known, swinging wide the gates of the Kingdom so that all who call upon His name may enter in.
**These accounts come from long-term workers. Names have been changed for security.**
Original article: https://frontiersusa.org/blog/cost-of-discipleship-a-story-from-worthy-of-following/
