Inside Story

Jail Time

by Carol de Oliveira

How would you feel if someone threw you in a cold, dark jail for sharing the Good News about Jesus? Many Global Mission pioneers in Southern Asia go to jail for sharing their faith. Pioneers serve God in countries in Southern Asia and other places worldwide where people do not know Jesus.

Chong is a pioneer in Southern Asia. We must keep Chong’s real name and the country where he works a secret to protect him. Peter is a church worker who went with Chong to visit members of a new church in the north part of the country.

Chong and Peter learned from the church members that three families wanted to give their lives to Jesus. Chong was excited to learn the families were ready to burn their spirit-­worship things. Chong decided to visit the families that night.

Chong, Peter, and some of the church members walked on the dark road to the families’ homes. One member told Chong that he wanted his family to hear about Jesus. So, the group stopped at the member’s house to tell them about Jesus.

Finally, late at night, the group arrived at the homes of the three families. The air was cold. But the people’s smiling faces warmed Chong’s heart. As everyone sat around a fire, Peter introduced Chong. Peter said that Chong came to help the families give their lives fully to Jesus.

But the leader of the families said, “We are ready to give our hearts to Jesus now. We serve Him. Not the spirits.”

While Chong talked with the families, a man came to the house. The man said that Chong must come to the home of the village leader. Chong left with the man. Peter and the church members went back to the church to wait for news about Chong. Many hours passed. Everyone became worried about Chong. His meeting with the village leader took a long time. Finally, they learned that Chong was locked up in the village leader’s home.

During the night, the church members prayed for God to protect Chong. The church leaders tried to get the village leader to let Chong go free. The village leader refused.

Later, Peter and the church members learned what happened. The village leader worked with the police to arrest Chong. The police took Chong to jail. Four days later, the police let Chong go free. The village where Chong spent time in jail now has more than 100 people who are Seventh-day Adventist Christians! Jail didn’t stop Chong from sharing Jesus. Chong wants to serve God more! Many people try to stop God’s work in this country. But God’s work continues to grow. Please pray for our Global Mission pioneers whose lives are in danger because they start new churches for Jesus. Your offerings help support their work.

Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at https://AdventistMission.org .