EDITOR’S NOTE: This year’s Week of Prayer for International Missions in the Southern Baptist Convention is Dec. 1-8. Each year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions supplements Cooperative Program giving to support Southern Baptists international missionaries’ initiatives in sharing the Gospel. This year’s offering goal is $205 million. To find information and resources about the offering, go here.
The smells are familiar as Gary Warrior and his friends enter the small restaurant. A large cast iron pot of plov, rice pilaf that is popular throughout Central Asia, cooks on an open fire at the entrance. Gary asks to sit in a booth, a place where he can pull a curtain and speak to his friends with a little privacy. The booths are often used for business discussions, but Gary will center his conversation on the Bible. Gary orders extra kabobs for his friends, who don’t often get to splurge on meat. The drink is tea, always tea.
In this booth, with the scent of onion and grilled meat lingering, the men discuss their faith in Christ, truths from the Bible and how these truths affect daily life.
These kinds of meetings are important to the men who are growing in their faith, but they are also important to Gary. After more than 20 years living in Central Asia, he spends much of his time supervising missionary teams and sharing his knowledge and experience concerning missions in Central Asia.
Even as he leads others, he says, “I want to keep my hand on the plow.” Staying involved in evangelism, discipleship and church planting will always be his personal call from the Lord.
Over the years, Gary and his wife, Ann, have seen God work to fulfill His purposes among Central Asians. Every new believer and transformed life points to God’s work among the lost.
Frank is one of those believers. As a new Christian, Frank was more than eager to learn all he could about Jesus. He was also bold about discussing his faith with others. Frank was quick to invite friends to talk with Gary about stories from the Bible, and more have come to faith.
“Don’t waste this time! Tell us the next story,” they’d say. “They were so hungry to hear,” Gary remembers. In the restaurant, in a private booth, they’d talk for a couple of hours.
After a time when the Warriors were back in the U.S., they wondered if the men were growing in their faith and sharing with others. When they returned to Central Asia, the men reported, “We think about 10 people in the village are ready to be baptized. We’d like to start a church.”
Gary and his team members are now working toward the baptism of new believers and praying about local leadership in the mountain region where Frank lives.
“One day there will be a church in that village,” Ann said confidently.
“Yes, there will be!” Gary responded without hesitation.
They’ve watched God work in Central Asia for more than two decades. They know He will continue His good work.
Pray
- Pray for a strong, healthy church plant with national leadership in this mountain village.
- Ask God to strengthen Central Asian believers and make them bold in their witness.
- Praise God for the faithful service of Gary and Ann and ask for more opportunities to see fruit of their work.
