World Faiths – Building Bridges
We want people of other faiths to encounter Jesus as we live out His mercy, grace and truth.
OM’s response to religious tensions dominating news is one of compassion, not compromise: as we live out transformed lives in the midst of thousands who have never encountered Jesus. Our international teams are demonstrating His love, reconciliation and truth to people from many different world faiths.
Cultural Sensitivity
We have an extensive network of teams with wide experience and understanding of world history and beliefs, language skills and cultural sensitivity serving Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and others.
We recognise the value of making friends and genuinely sharing our lives with others. Spending time talking over cups of tea can break down barriers and lead to exciting conversations about faith.
We are committed to walking alongside individual Christians and fellowships, offering encouragement and support in difficult situations and persecution. We draw new believers together and help rebuild communities of hope and peace. Our vision is to see lives transformed as local believers share Jesus’ love.
Prayer Points
- Pray for open hearts and minds and an eagerness to hear about Jesus!
- Pray that God would reveal himself to the millions seeking him through other faiths. Pray that he would grant many dreams of Jesus and enable communities to access the Scriptures.
- Pray for Christians living in hostile environments. Pray that they would be faithful, brave and united as they undergo persecution.
- Pray for an increase in workers seeking to reach those of other faiths. Pray for protection, effectiveness and joy in serving.
- Pray for national church leaders as they lead others through often difficult situations. Pray that they will be godly, pure and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Stories
Nine believers brought the light and love of Jesus into the darkness of the Boombamela New Age Festival, an all-night beach party attended by thousands. The group held many conversations, opening the Tanach (OT) to read the ‘forbidden chapter’, Isaiah 53. Despite widespread opposition or indifference, some young people eagerly listened to the Gospel, asked questions, even hugged the team. God saved two young men from the Negev desert whom the team is visiting and encouraging in their new faith. Pray for more fruit from conversations and for these young men!
Foreign teams give out literature in the streets, and trek from village to village. One member relates, “I was chatting with Nepalis in the street, but the people weren’t interested in the story of Jesus. After 30 minutes a merchant took a booklet, and asked what he could get by reading such a small book! He questioned me closely about Christianity, church and Jesus. Another Nepali came up, listened to our conversation and tried to explain Christianity, comparing it with Hinduism. I was so thankful! This was followed by another man who greeted me with a Christian greeting, said he was a believer, thanked me for sharing God’s love in Nepal and kissed my hand! As he left, yet another man came and helped me talk to the merchant!
“Thus, I was able to have a good conversation with him through three Nepali Christians’ help. Although Nepal is only 4% Christian, God used four believers to share with only one Hindu! It is so good to experience His desire to see people come to know Him!”
Bill* and Mary* work in the northeast among the unreached Isan people: “I went to a nearby Christian school and met a teacher who was teaching the Grade Six children about worshipping rain. I told the Director of the school, “I am a missionary and I missed the chapter on worshiping rain, but I know about worshipping the Creator of rain”. Over half of the 70 teachers are Buddhist and teach the Buddhist tradition by law. As an English teacher, I thought bilingual Bibles would be great, but they were expensive. I wrote to the Director of the Bible society who offered a much better price. In my prayer letters I had mentioned my need, but not finances. Within a week, the money was in and I got 150 Bibles. I began to teach the following day, alongside a teacher who is no longer Buddhist but attending church. I gave a new Bible to a Buddhist teacher who had brought me an old Gideon’s Bible. She broke down in tears. I continue to teach the Bible to the students each week and have seen some follow Christ.”
