As a long-term field worker in the Caucasus region, I have left home many times over the years.
But no leave-taking has been as heart-wrenching as the last one. I said goodbye to my dad, lying in a nursing home, and to my mom, reeling with grief that he’s not home with her.
Then God reminded me of His words in Mark 10.
““Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” — Mark 10:29–30
The Lord has given me so many brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers on the field. Some of them are colaborers and fellow workers. And many are local brothers and sisters who belong to Muslim people groups here in the Caucasus that still have very few followers of Jesus Christ among them.
Just as God has delivered on His promise to bless me with family, so He will make good on His promise to bring multitudes from every tribe and language and people and nation to worship Him before His throne (Revelation 7:9). What a privilege to be part of His global plan!
The reason I left home and family in the first place is because He is worth it. He is worthy to receive worship from the fifty-plus unreached people groups in the Caucasus Mountain region where I serve.
Through abundant prayer and ministry of the Word, my team envisions the Gospel spreading throughout the region and influencing every unreached Muslim people group in the Caucasus.
The laborers are few. But my team is not alone in this endeavor. I’m grateful for the national brothers and sisters whom God is adding to our team.
One local brother, Revazi, told me that he had prayed many years ago for God to bring workers like my teammates and me to this region. But he had little faith that anyone would want to come here. Now Revazi is preparing to sell his home in Russia and relocate with his wife and children to work with us here.
Another local sister and partner I’m thankful for is Eva, a dynamic Kingdom worker. She recently completed chemotherapy after having a tumor surgically removed. She trusts in God’s healing, and we pray cancer doesn’t return.
Please pray for these faithful partners—that together we will help introduce Jesus Christ to the peoples of the Caucasus.
- Ask the Lord to provide for local believers like Revazi and Eva and to equip them to reach Muslims with the Good News.
- Pray for bold and persevering laborers to heed the call to go to the Caucasus region.
- Ask God to encourage field workers with His promise to provide above and beyond whatever they leave behind for the sake of the Gospel.
**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**
Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/article/leaving-family-for-the-caucasus
