Mike and Jamie

(These are false names used for this family's protection.)

The global church planting movement at the heart of LIGHT International’s vision is not about expanding the ministry, but taking the light of Christ that burns in wholehearted followers into the world – especially to those nations that have yet to be reached with the Gospel.

This same vision burns in the hearts of Mike and Jamie – and in Fall 2006 it becomes a reality, as LIGHT International sends this couple into the heart of a Muslim nation to reach the unreached with the love and freedom of Christ.

“One important part of reaching the Muslim world is building deep relationships and showing people that we care in practical ways,” explained Mike, a structural engineer from Maryland. “We want to demonstrate through our lives that Jesus has power, and he can change us and change others through us. These are the same things that LIGHT International is bringing to life in the Harbour home fellowships.”

Jamie, a former high school English teacher from Indiana, was part of the inaugural team to plant LIGHT International’s first church, the Harbour, back in 2002.  It was during this time that she went on her first overseas ministry trip with LIGHT International’s Brazil Expedition team and discovered her destiny.

“It was an incredible experience,” said Jamie. “It really opened my eyes to the reality of what’s happening in the world. I was already open for anything to do with overseas ministry, but this just elevated that desire that was already stirring within me. Being at LIGHT and the Harbour was awesome preparation, because then when I met Mike, I was already burning with passion for the unreached nations of the world. The vision of LIGHT is to plant churches among every people group on the face of the planet, and Mike’s vision is to do that in a Muslim nation. It was a perfect fit.”

Mike’s passion for the Muslim world came after three short-term trips to a Muslim nation while a student at Oral Roberts University.

“It was shocking to realize that if we had not come, these people, many of them very old, would have never heard the name of Jesus spoken in love,” recalled Mike. “I once heard a man say that he knew he was going to hell, and he believed nothing could save him. I told him Jesus could. There was no way I could leave these people alone now that I had met them. I desperately wanted to see them in heaven after I died.”

The couple plan to move to an undisclosed nation within the Muslim world, which is closed to the Gospel, and plant a disciple making church similar to the Harbour model. Both Mike and Jamie have already prepared for their God-given assignment by leading a Harbour Home Fellowship for a year, and plan on using what they have learned to disciple entire communities of believers. This year they have continued their preparation by attending an intensive week of training in Muslim ministry held by the Crescent Project.

“Initially, we will serve in a local church already established, in one of the nation’s large cities and acclimate ourselves to the culture of the country,” said Mike. “Then we plan to move to a centrally-located city, which could be used as a launching point for reaching unreached villages throughout the country. Our vision is to plant churches in these areas, starting with small groups meeting in homes, and ultimately seeing a movement where these house churches can replicate themselves, discipling their own pastors and leadership, throughout the country.”

Armed with 2 Corinthians 2:15, Mike and Jamie are blazing a sacrificial trail that will truly be a sweet aroma to the Lord and impact countless lives for God’s glory in the Muslim world.

“On my last trip, God gave me a vision of a church of believers, in the village I had visited, being able to reach each of the other villages in the valley and from there continuing to spread the light of Jesus long after we’ve gone,” said Mike. “I believe God is sending us to the country to help that vision come to pass.”

To support Mike and Jamie, click here. [comming soon]

For more information on short-term ministry with LIGHT International, visit Expedition.