Then came Mongolia.
Almost 20 years after my first visit, I returned to Mongolia. This time my assignment was in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar (UB)—now a striking blend of traditional gers (yurts) and gleaming skyscrapers. Quiet Hour Ministries organized our mission, and I was stationed at Immanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church in a registered educational center tucked into a converted apartment. Most local churches in Mongolia function this way due to government restrictions on religious registration. They reminded me of early house churches—intimate, determined, and full of faith.
UB’s ger districts, where two of our outreach sites were located, revealed a different side of the city. Though the gers are stationary now, many residents still rely on public wells, pit toilets, and coal-burning stoves, creating severe pollution and heath issues. There is beauty to be found in the hardship though as some gers are decorated with breathtaking wood carvings. Plus, the warmth of the people shines through their hospitality, gratitude, and eagerness to learn about Jesus.
Our outreach included 10 days of evangelistic meetings, alongside children’s programs and health ministries. My teammates, Peggy from Oregon, and Evelyn from Colorado, are seasoned children’s missionaries whose engaging programs drew in children night after night. The health sessions offered blood pressure and glucose checks, plus cooking demos that introduced local families to new foods and simple, healthy recipes.
My sermons introduced Jesus as our Savior, emphasizing the importance of a personal, vibrant relationship with Him, and ended with the reality of His promise to return and to take to heaven those who have established that relationship.
Please pray that the gospel continues to spread across both continents. And I encourage you, whether God chooses to use you at home or abroad, before large groups or just one person, to share His love today.