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Church Planter (Bangla People), Bangladesh

Although not formally connected with HeartCry, John is a good friend and co-worker. He was sent out of his church in Missouri to one of the poorest countries in order to labor among the largest unreached people group in the world. The Lord has given him some Bangla co-workers with whom he serves as he seeks to preach the Gospel among Muslim and Hindu people.

Testimony

Lost and Found
God called me to Himself, 10 years ago in high school. It is true that before this I made a profession of faith and was even baptized, nevertheless, year after year I was still a desperately sin-loving, Christian-despising young man. All this changed when God began to convict me of my sin and hypocritical life. During my sophomore year I began to resolve to “do the right things.” I had no victory whatsoever. In fact, in the areas I wanted to get freedom I only sank lower. I was ashamed and full of regret. Yet I was a slave of sin and was starting to realize that what the bible said about sin was true. Then God came and broke through it all.

I attended a youth retreat with the theme of “Total Surrender.” It was here that God powerfully met with me on a Saturday evening. I had never known the presence of God before. The predominant thought brought to me was of my own sin. I don’t know how much I understood about my deserving to go to Hell, but I do remember having a profound grasp of how I had grieved God and spit in His face. It was His goodness and love that broke me so much. I hadn’t just sinned against God, I had sinned against a truly good God that had only shown me kindness after kindness all the days of my life. I had only given him hypocritical love when He had sent His Son to die for me. I wept on the floor uncontrollably for a long time. I could only repeat, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…” to God. One Christian counselor came up to console me, but realized something strange was going on and then just walked away. After a time, my tears of shame turned to tears of new found joy. I had never known this kind of peace. I had only a rudimentary understanding of Christ’s work of atonement on the cross, but I had a deep sensible feeling of the love of God. I now belonged to him. Thank you Lord.

From that day on I was a radically different person. This is one of the main reasons why I know Christianity and salvation is real, God changed the fiber of my soul in a miraculous way. It seemed as if there was a love for God that came out of nowhere with new desires and new thoughts. I was a new creation. It was noticeable. Even when I first came home from that weekend retreat, before saying anything to my mother, she looked at me and said, “John, God did something to you, didn’t He?”

Green Pastures
After my conversion it wasn’t long before I felt compelled to preach and minister in whatever ways were accessible. Whether witnessing in the Wal-Mart parking lot, or at school, I was eager. I didn’t have a lot of wisdom or tact in those days, but I had zeal and joy. To teach me more about true service in His kingdom, God sent me to a bible college, where it wasn’t the classes that helped me so much, but some of the older students with whom I came into contact. I was discipled by a dear brother and fellow student who showed me the importance of knowing the Bible. Also, I heard Paul Washer preaching my first year at college, age 18, which profoundly shaped and reshaped many of my convictions. Eventually, being counseled by trusted friends, I dropped out of being a bible major trusting that God could teach, train, and direct me for gospel ministry in His own way. I didn’t feel right going down the traditional ministry path, where as a young pastor (at this particular school) you are trained to put out your resume and do your best with your new congregation full of unsaved church members. This was sad but true in my setting.

After finishing school with a computer degree I attended Lake Road Chapel in Kirksville, Missouri. This became my new church family. It was here that I actually saw modeled what ministry and life in a body of believers really is and was able to join in serving the Lord, his people, and the lost. God really owned and planned this time for me. I have no doubt. They loved me, helped me, rebuked me, and affirmed me! Praise the Lord. Then He began to turn my steps toward Bangladesh.

He Leads Me
I had desired to spread the gospel cross-culturally for years, but never felt any specific leading. One day, lamenting the fact that I can’t start language learning until I knew where I was going, a sister in our church said, “You could pray about it, you know.” I was dumbfounded. How I had missed the obvious! I began to pray for specific leading.

God put Bangladesh specifically on my heart after a brother in our church returned from an overseas trip with HeartCry. They spent only two days in Bangladesh and yet he recounted to us all what he had seen with his own eyes of believers being beaten and persecuted in this country. I was stirred. God began to lead me to pray for the believers in Bangladesh. This never went away but only grew steadily more and more. Internet research showed that the status of Christianity among the 130 million Bengali Muslims is 0.00% evangelical. What that meant was that from one angle, this is the largest unreached people group in the world.

After more answered prayer and strong providential leading I quit my job and took a two month trip to Bangladesh to live and minister with a dear pastor and his family. Traveling the country and visiting house churches God began to show me both what He was doing and yet also, the need for me there. This confirmed my calling to this people. It seemed as if everywhere I went I was hearing the Macedonian call. People were saying, “You are a missionary. You are supposed to be here.” And, “Please don’t leave, and if you do come back soon.” And, “We need this kind of spiritual teaching.” These comments came from missionaries, pastors, and even entire congregations. After a time of seeking the Lord and laying out the matter before Him, it was settled. I would return home briefly to talk all this over with my church family.

Fear No Evil
Lord willing, I’ll soon be heading to Bangladesh to be one of the local laborers in a vast harvest field. Many people have asked if I ever have fears that I’m not really called. The answer is, no, not really. I know that I’m supposed to go. However there are other fears that arise – fears like not being ready, useful, or fruitful; fears like bombing out or compromising; even fears of suffering.

What can one do when the wind and waves look threatening? If Christ has bid you come to Him on the waters, you have no choice. You must keep your eyes on Him and come.

“His love in time past forbids me to think, He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink.” - John Newton

“Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom.” - The Lord Jesus