Across remote mountain regions and hidden villages in Southeast Asia, the Lord has continued to multiply disciples and churches in places where the name of Jesus was once unknown. What began as one act of obedience has become a powerful testimony of His faithfulness.
An East-West indigenous leader named Aung met a young believer named Samuel during a training for new church leaders. Though young in age, Samuel carried a deep burden for those who had never heard the gospel. He shared that near his village lived a minority people group who knew little about Jesus. Aung encouraged him, saying, “If you are willing, go and tell them God’s story. The Lord will be with you.”
With courage and dependence on the Holy Spirit, Samuel went. He began visiting homes, telling the story of God’s redemption from creation to Christ. Families listened. Questions were asked. Hearts softened. Within weeks, 26 people placed their faith in Jesus. They gathered together, studied Scripture, and began praying for their neighbors. A new church was born among a people who had never before known the hope of Christ.
But what God did next far exceeded anything they imagined.
That small fellowship did not remain small. New believers immediately began sharing their faith with relatives and nearby villages. As they obeyed, the Lord multiplied the fruit. Today, that church has grown to nearly one hundred believers. Nearly 5% of this once unengaged unreached people group now follows Jesus. What was once spiritual darkness is now filled with worship, prayer, and the steady spread of the gospel in their own language and culture.
This breakthrough marked a second time in just months that the Lord opened the door for a previously unengaged people group to be reached in this region. What once seemed unusual has now become a sign of His growing movement. Leaders are being raised up from within the community, and believers are praying for God to empower one of them to shepherd the church and lead future multiplication.
Yet this work comes at great cost. In one nearby province, several new believers have faced intense persecution. Families and neighbors have pressured them to abandon their faith, threatening rejection and isolation. Some now gather quietly, choosing faithfulness to Christ despite fear.
Despite these hardships, the Lord is still at work. The same Spirit who stirred Samuel’s heart is moving across Southeast Asia. In 2025 alone, believers in this region shared the gospel more than 105,000 times, more than 22,000 people came to faith in Christ, 3,400 were baptized, 217 new churches were planted, 12,000 leaders were trained, and two unreached people groups were engaged with the gospel for the very first time.
Each of these numbers represents a story like Samuel’s—one life surrendered, one step of obedience, and one community transformed. As God continues to fuel boldness in villages like this, believers will display even greater faithfulness and fruitfulness in the years ahead.
Stories From the Field
God is moving among the unreached worldwide. Eyes are being opened to the love and grace that Jesus offers to everyone. Read stories of incredible life change, miracles, and softened hearts on the East-West blog.
