By Zaki Kopti
The Navigators have established a Missions School to develop and train national laborers from the Middle East/ North Africa Region as missionaries to their own and neighboring countries. There are currently ten laborers in training. Each of these men and women have spent at least a year serving with the Navigators in their own countries, and now they are working through a three-level curriculum in spiritual growth, psychological knowledge, apologetics, Biblical understanding and cross-cultural training.
After collectively praying for discernment on where to send these new missionaries, the regional and local leaders decided to divide the students between two Middle Eastern countries (“Country A” and “Country B”).
A team of three men went on a ten-day scouting trip to Country A in early May 2022, coinciding with the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid. The goal of the trip was to find a place where they can launch a ministry. The men began with a spiritual retreat where they fasted and prayed for Country A, asking that the Lord would open the eyes, ears, and hearts of the people so that they would be ready and willing to hear the Gospel.
Then the men began to reach out to people in Country A through the support of a Navigator contact there. They were encouraged by the readiness of people to hear the Gospel, and they sensed the peace of the Lord guiding them. For example, one of the team members began a conversation with a taxi driver, who then asked him about the Bible. The other two men were also able to share the Gospel with several individuals they met.
The team also looked for possible employment in Country A so they can sustain themselves while living there in the future. They found potential temporary employment situations that could eventually turn into full time employment.
We pray for God’s continued providence and guidance as he continues to build his Kingdom through the team. The next vision trip to Country A will be held this fall. The Missions School is also preparing the second team for their visit to Country B in the near future. We ask you to keep these two new missions in your prayers as these missionaries seek to meet the Lord’s call for their lives.
