By Chris DeWelt
An exciting component of the 2013 North American Christian Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, will be the powerful testimonies of six followers of Christ who come from six different parts of our world. Each will offer pungent and powerful words from the front lines where the gospel is actively pushing back the kingdom of darkness.
At each of the six main sessions, you will hear godly leaders from other nations who are living out lives of faithful service, often at great personal risk and frequently with life-altering consequences. Their active witness of today”s victorious faith in the face of some extreme trials will definitely encourage your heart.
The six international leaders will give their testimonies of God”s grace and power in their hour of need.
From India we will hear the personal witness of a faithful preacher of the gospel who was brutally attacked by religious extremists. Our brother Sanjay was beaten for preaching Christ and nearly killed. In addition to his physical pain, he suffered the excruciating loss of his wife from injuries she sustained at the hands of their persecutors. Even so, Sanjay continues to proclaim the grace and love of our King!
Amani Mustafa of Egypt left Islam for Christianity.
From the Middle East we will hear the amazing story of Amani Mustafa and her flight to freedom. Today Mustafa speaks in her heart language of Arabic to hundreds of thousands of seekers via international broadcasts throughout the Muslim world. Her witness of the grace of God and the work of Christ in her life will inspire and bless you as you serve our Lord.
From the former Soviet Union, our Ukrainian brother, Sergei Golovin, will tell us of the amazing ways God is at work in a spiritually dark region of the world. The story of his conversion will thrill you and remind you that when things seem very dark, our God is at work and his kingdom will have the victory!
Wing Wong will tell about his travels throughout China and the huge movement of God taking place there. Dennis Okoth of Uganda will bring inspiration of God”s grace in east Africa. His leadership and gentle spirit will move your heart as you hear again of God”s faithful and sustaining power. From Latin America, preacher and church planter Nonato Silva will speak of an amazing testimony of God”s goodness and grace!
Although their main-session speaking times may be limited, these international leaders will be sharing more in-depth during workshops and special prayer sessions during the convention. Their presence will be an important part of your North American Christian Convention experience as we see the unfolding grandeur of God”s victorious kingdom.
The heartbeat of John”s revelation is surely heard when we read about the gathering of the nations at the throne of God, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). This year, come and hear a preview of this great victory gathering!
Chris DeWelt is professor of intercultural studies at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri.
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