The Holy Spirit is at work throughout the thousands of islands that make up the Philippines and Indonesia. There, people are hearing the gospel in their heart language, thanks to the Messenger audio Bible from In Touch Ministries. The following images from Southeast Asia represent dozens of stories of lives changed by the Word of God.
Photo Essay
A Sea Change for Believers
Spiritual fruit thrives as access to the Bible spreads throughout Southeast Asia. Photography by David Hogsholt.
July 1, 2024
A rural tribe were honored guests at the city church of pastor Alex Montanando in the Philippines.
Worshippers sing out at a church in Cagayan de Oro, on the north end of the island of Mindanao.
A woman enters a humble church building situated in the slums of Cagayan de Oro.
Pastor Alex greets the members of a church plant in a remote village on Mindanao, Philippines.
Indigenous believers throughout the Philippines have grown spiritually by listening to the Word of God on the Messenger audio Bible.
Though he pastors a large city church, Pastor Alex is committed to reaching and encouraging the remote mountain villages of the Philippines.
Curious onlookers gather to listen as a church service extends into the evening.
Nelgen, a jack of all trades, often listens to the Messenger as he goes about his handiwork.
A ministry volunteer holds up a primer on how to use the various functions of the Messenger audio Bible.
Mr. K, a believer in Indonesia, once faced persecution for leaving Hinduism to follow Jesus. But the Lord has since showered him with favor.
The remains of a shrine on Mr. K’s property. Because he no longer follows Hinduism, his neighbors encouraged him to destroy the temple.
Both here in Indonesia and in the Philippines, the Messenger audio Bible from In Touch plays a key part in deepening discipleship among believers.
Joko, Mr. K’s son-in-law (right), introduces his friend, Greg Kelley (left) to the local high priest who recently decided to follow Jesus.
Banu (left) and Neli, two believers with life-altering disabilities, are a light to their local community as they endure hardships. Their joy is a witness to the love of Christ.
Banu fries up a local delicacy that helps fund their ministry efforts. One day soon, he and Neli hope to build a church on a nearby plot of land.
Deni, formerly a gang enforcer who shot people as a debt collector, now follows Jesus and writes worship songs.
Rahel, the evangelist who led Deni to the Lord, worships outside her restaurant. The shop also serves as a place of ministry for people on the fringes of society.
Santi (left) and her daughter, Indah, are grateful for the Word of God in their own dialect. Santi believed in Jesus for decades before receiving this translation, which has transformed her understanding of the Gospel.