“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:7-8
David Garrison in his book, A Wind in the House of Islam, writes: “Let’s define a movement of Muslims to Christ to be 1,000 baptisms that occur over a two-decade period… In Islam’s first 12 centuries there were no movements of Muslims to Christ… Not until the end of the 19th century, twelve and a half centuries after the death of Muhammad, did we find the first movements of Muslims to Christ that numbered at least 1,000 baptisms… Today, in more than 70 separate locations in 29 nations, new movements of Muslim-background followers of Christ are taking place. Each of these movements has crossed the threshold of at least 1,000 baptized believers, all of whom have come to Christ over the past two decades. In some countries the numbers within these new movements have grown to tens of thousands. Something is happening—something historic, something unprecedented.”
David defines a move of Christ among Muslims to be 1,000 baptisms, of a tribe, within 20 years. The first 6 months of this year we had over 1,400 baptisms! Not all of those came from converted Muslims of unreached tribes but many were. From the quote above we see an historic move of God within the Islamic strongholds throughout the world today. We are definitely seeing the hand of God working in the four West African countries where we have indigenous missionary teams assigned; Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Guinea.
Our Lord has opened shut doors among centuries old unreached tribes. For centuries Christians have tried, sacrificed and been martyred trying to enter unreached Muslim tribes but were rejected. Often, after a lifetime on the field, missionaries would only witness a small handful of conversions. But today, we are seeing multitudes, from Islamic unreached tribes, coming to Christ in faith. It is not that we are stronger or have better methods then those of the past but it is God divinely opening doors.
Testimonies of Disciples
(These testimonies are original. They have been lightly edited)
We define passion as willing to suffer and die for a cause greater than ourselves. In the testimonies below, you will feel the spirit of their passion. Each of those who go on mission do it with passion. They go in true sacrifice, suffering and risk.
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God, day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:10-11
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2
"This wonderful morning in the town of Kamakwie, 12 people were baptized. Heaven is rejoicing and Satan is in tears and troubled. All 12 were converted from Islam. Please be in prayer with them.”
“Good afternoon, folks. This is a short testimony of an unreached churchless community called Rothemne. Rothemne has close to 3,000 inhabitants and has a big beautiful yellow mosque. Almost everybody in the town are Muslims or Animists. An Animistic bush alter and worship center, is hidden in the rain forest, adjacent to the town. (Animism, as practiced in West Africa, is a secretive demonic religion that includes witchcraft, idols, curses, spells, sacrifices, fear and violence. The spiritual leaders title is the Devil). We evangelized and baptized 86 people including the only male child of the Sheik (Imam) and two of the daughters of the village chief. The Sheik beat on his son for accepting Jesus Christ. We have planted a church, but no place to host church services, so we are doing it right under the mango tree. We need additional assistance. Making the Gospel available to every person in Sierra Leone. Everybody everywhere needs to hear the Gospel. So lead us, Lord.”
“This morning in Makump village, 75 people were baptized. The new converts are requesting for a church building, a place of worship.”
“Today is another wonderful day in the history of Wordsower Sierra Leone. We baptized two people yesterday in a churchless village called Magbankanie These two are believed to be the only Christians in this village. One of the new converts, just two days ago, became a Christian and was baptized. She is an eleventh-grade student of the nearby school. She fearlessly evangelized two of her classmates while walking back home from school. By the grace of God one of them accepted Jesus. Upon our arrival, with their baptism certificates, the girl quietly rushed to us and said I have talked to my friends and one of them accepted Jesus and is willing to be baptized. As a team, we taught this brand new convert the scripture and prayed with her. She repented, and confessed faith in our Lord. How could a new convert who just got baptized yesterday afternoon make disciples? God can use anybody at any time to accomplish His mission. Pray for these that the Lord will use them to do more.”
“No die, no rest. Everyone must hear the gospel.”
“23 attended our two-day training in Lofa County. The students appreciated the good training. They are also planning to send more people to our Bible school to increase their faith. We showed the Jesus film each night. 10 persons gave their lives to God. One of those baptized was a 99-year-old, “ol’ma”. Another was David. He was one of the wicked men of the town who did not attend our first meeting. That night he had a dream. He saw himself going towards heavy fire, but someone spoke to him. The person said, go to the building you see ahead of you, enter it, pray and be baptized. He awoke and told his wife. She told him to be baptized by us. He attended our second day meeting and was later baptized. The leaders have requested help for a church building because they are meeting under one big tree. Thanks to God for the mission.”
“Jesus commanded us His disciples to go, make disciples, baptize and teach. Kanaka is a very big town with a large beautiful mosque, without a church. A few people called themselves Christians and but had never gone to a church service before. Our team showed the Jesus film and 68 people give their lives to Jesus. 64 people were baptized including the Speaker of the Town and a disabled young boy with a sorrowful story. Everybody everywhere needs to hear the gospel. Lead us, Lord.”
“We are solders, no fear, no worry, no stopping and no resting. We go, the gospel advances.”
“Yakayah is an Animistic town that was founded in 1864, by a traditional warrior called Yaka, of the unreached Gola tribe. Since the town was founded there has been no Christians, worship or gatherings. This town has been one of the strongholds when it comes to witchcraft practice in Gbarpolu County. By the power of God, the yoke has been broken. Our team showed the Jesus film. Many accepted Christ and were baptized. The elders finally agreed for their town to have freedom of worship. A house Church has been started by our field leaders, Anthony and Augustine.”
“Jesus is indeed Lord; Muslims are converting daily. Lamin was an Islamic man. He dreamed several times of worshipping Jesus. In the dreams, voices came to him saying that the only way he can be successful in life is to be a Christian and believe in Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and Savior. One morning, while we were going to the creek for baptism, Lamin asked us saying, “where are you going, guys?” Dennis responded in a loud voice; we are going to baptize this lady. Lamin smiled and said, I want to be baptized too. We walked down to the creek and baptized both of them. Pray against family prosecution and denial.”
Below is a 1-minute video showing the sacrifice, suffering, and risk our leaders joyfully endure:
Our on-site leaders and the donations of churches and individuals from abroad are bringing in a great harvest. We need the unity of us all, His Church, to accomplish our Lord’s command to reach the world. Thank you for your active love and faith. Thank you for sacrificing with us. We need additional monthly donors. Please pray about participating with us financially.
Participate with us in praise and prayer:
- Praise: We continue to advance into the strongholds of Satan without serious persecution.
- Pray: Against the plans and advancement of the jihadists.
- Pray: For increased donations so that we may continue to advance into unreached tribes.
- Pray: For our indigenous missionary teams, that they will continue to fearlessly, boldly and sacrificially advance the gospel.
- Pray: As we prepare to create and send another indigenous missionary team to the Muslim unreached tribes of Sierra Leone.
- Pray: For us we march into and live within the strongholds of Satan to, “snatch others from the fire and save them.” Jude 1:23.
- Pray: “Finally, our friends, pray for us that the Lord's message may continue to spread rapidly and be received with honor, just as it was among you. Pray also that God will rescue us from wicked and evil people; for not everyone believes the message.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2.
Donations:
100% of all donations go to the mission. None is used for administration. Tax-deductible receipts will be sent each January.
Click Here to Donate Online (Hold down the Ctrl button with the curser on the icon then click)Please make checks payable to the “Woodside Vision Foundation” designating “Wordsower
Africa” on the memo line of the check. Please include your name and address for the receipt, if
the information is not already on the check. Mail to:
Woodside Vision Foundation
6600 Rochester Road
Troy Michigan 48085
If you have questions or problems with donations or want to contact me, Kim Smith, then email
me at kimlogansmith1957@gmail.com. I’m also available on the apps called WhatsApp, the
contact number is +231-8813-44417. My Signal app number is +231-7757-89662.
In July We Did:
Financial Report:
