God on the Move is going on a break. But we don’t want to leave you without an encouraging testimony from the global church. Here is a story recorded at the recent Fourth Lausanne Congress. We will resume our regular episodes in February 2025. 

God on the Move is going on a break. But we don’t want to leave you without an encouraging testimony from the global church. Here is a story recorded at the recent Fourth Lausanne Congress. We will resume our regular episodes in February 2025. 

In this week's episode of 'God on the Move', Nouh Ag Infa Yattara shares his incredible journey from a nomadic Tuareg upbringing in Mali to becoming a Christian pastor. Nouh recounts his early years, the allure of a simple ballpen that led him to explore Christianity, and the persecution he faced from his family and community after his conversion. As pastor of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Timbuktu and General Delegate for the Evangelical Protestants in Mali, he highlights a ‘Macedonian Call’ for help, revealing the critical challenges faced by Christians in Mali due to lack of financial and missionary support. This episode emphasizes the power of faith, the importance of prayer, and the ongoing need for support in the spread of the Gospel in one of the toughest regions for Christianity.

Links from the interview

Nouh Ag Infa Yattara

Nouh Ag Infa Yattara, born December 1, 1953, is a Malian pastor and evangelist serving as the Pastor of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Timbuktu and General Delegate for Evangelical Protestants in Mali. Born into a nomadic Islamic family, he converted to Christianity in 1967 and has since dedicated his life to ministry, despite significant persecution.

Yattara has played a key role in growing the Christian community in Timbuktu and translating the Bible into Tamasheq. He partners with organizations like Voice of the Martyrs to distribute Christian literature and leads evangelistic efforts through direct outreach, social projects, and the Jesus Film. His work focuses on spreading the Gospel among the least-reached groups in Mali.

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In this week's episode of 'God on the Move', Mirjam shares her remarkable journey as a missionary. From her childhood in Germany and missionary experiences in Africa, to her call to China and eventual work in Taiwan, Mirjam's story is one of faith, resilience, and God's grace. She recounts moments of doubt, cultural shocks, and profound realizations, culminating in her current role at Bethesda Home for children and adults with disabilities in Hualien, Taiwan. This powerful testimony highlights God's guidance, the essence of grace, and the importance of sharing the gospel.

Links from the interview

Mirjam

Born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, Mirjam spent her early years traveling across South and East Africa as a missionary's child from 1984 to 1995. Upon returning to Germany, she completed her high school education and pursued studies to become a social worker between 1995 and 2004. Her dedication to missionary work led her to Taiwan in 2004 for training, followed by a mission in China from 2009 to 2020. After returning to Germany in 2020, she worked as an integration worker with autistic individuals until 2021. Her missionary journey continued in Canada, the USA, and Tanzania from 2021 to 2022. Since 2022, she has been serving as the Chairperson of the Bethesda Home for Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Disabilities in Hualien, Taiwan. 

In her leisure time, Mirjam enjoys walking, reading, and engaging in sports.

In this week's episode of "God on the Move", Vika shares her profound journey of faith, resilience, and ministry in war-torn Eastern Ukraine. Born in Donetsk and later displaced to Western Ukraine, Vika and her family faced immense challenges following the 2022 Russian invasion. Despite losing their home and business, they have remained dedicated to their Christian mission, providing material aid, emotional support, and spiritual guidance to those affected by the conflict in the East. Through personal stories and experiences, Vika highlights the unity among Ukrainian churches and the unwavering strength of her faith, even amidst immense adversity. This episode showcases not only the struggles but also the incredible hope and God's faithfulness present in these difficult times.

Links from the interview

Viktoria (Vika) Gorban

Vika was born and raised in Donetsk, Ukraine. She is married and a mother of two children. Viktoria became a Christian at the age of 14, while her husband embraced his faith at 19. Before the war in Ukraine, her husband successfully ran a real estate business, building and selling houses as a means of investment. However, their perspective on material stability shifted when the war broke out in 2014. Their home was damaged, forcing the family to relocate to Pokrovsk, a territory under Ukrainian government control.

Currently, Viktoria and her husband are dedicated missionaries. Dividing their time between western Ukraine, including Uzhgorod, and the conflict-affected Donetsk region, they serve communities near the frontline. Their ministry involves organizing services for children, adults, and women, conducting street evangelism, and distributing essential supplies such as food, medicine, hygiene items, and blankets. Despite the challenges, Viktoria and her family are grateful to be part of God’s work, bringing hope and support to those in need.

In this episode of 'God on the Move', John Ghanim shares his powerful and transformative journey of faith, from his Islamic upbringing in Yemen to becoming a Christian evangelist. John discusses the intense persecution he faced, the radical change in his beliefs, and how he uses social media to spread the message of Jesus Christ across the world. Through his story, John highlights the hardships, the loss, and the joy that comes with following Christ, encouraging listeners to put Jesus first in their lives.

Links from the interview

John Ghanim

In this episode of 'God on the Move,' Luya Gantumur shares his personal journey from atheism to Christianity in Mongolia. He discusses the growth of the evangelical church in a predominantly Buddhist country, the influence of missionaries, and the unique legal and cultural challenges faced by Mongolian Christians. Luya, who is the principal of Union Bible Theological College, provides insights into the religious climate, the role of missions, and the future of church planting in both urban and rural areas. 

Links from the interview

Luya, originally from Ulaanbaatar and raised in Chandmana sum, Gobi-Altai, discovered his Christian faith in high school. He is currently the principal of Union Bible Theological College (UBTC), where he inspires and trains others in their spiritual journeys. A UBTC theology graduate, Luya has over 16 years of experience in Mongolian Christian education. He is also Vice Board Chair of the Mongolian Evangelical Alliance, serves on the supervisory board of Haggai Mongolia, and volunteers for Bridge Builders NGO. Additionally, he has contributed extensively to translating, researching, and writing on Christianity in Mongolia. Luya, a pastor at Uni Church, holds a Master of Divinity and is pursuing a doctoral degree in sociology. He lives in Mongolia with his wife, Tuul, and their daughters, Dulguun and Anhilam.

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In this episode of 'God on the Move', Kimsong Haun shares his remarkable journey as the Country Director of Trans World Radio Cambodia. Born in the aftermath of Cambodia's civil war, Kimsong discusses the nation's recovery, the prevalent Buddhist culture, and the challenges faced by Cambodia's small Christian community. He elaborates on the mission of Trans World Radio, which includes a variety of outreach programs via 15 FM stations, and emphasizes the importance of discipleship in growing the church. Kimsong also recounts touching personal stories, including a monk's conversion to Christianity, highlighting the impactful work being done to spread the gospel through mass media in Cambodia.

Links from the interview:

• Trans World Cambodia

Kimsong Haun:

Kimsong Haun is a passionate leader and Country Director for TWR Cambodia, committed to using media to share the Christian message and empower communities across Cambodia. With over a decade of service, Kimsong has helped guide TWR’s mission, translating and adapting Christian programs into Khmer to resonate with local culture. His ministry work spans outreach to diverse groups—including children, youth, women, and church leaders—and utilizes both traditional and digital platforms to expand TWR’s reach.

Kimsong’s journey in ministry began after earning his Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry from Phnom Penh Bible College. His early roles in translation and teaching provided a foundation for his leadership at TWR, where he leads initiatives in leadership training, strategic planning, and community development. He actively participates in cross-cultural collaborations with regional partners in Asia and maintains close ties with TWR’s global office in the United States.

In his personal life, Kimsong is supported by his wife and their two sons, who share in his commitment to ministry and community service. His family plays a vital role in his mission, anchoring him as he works to make faith and hope accessible to audiences throughout Cambodia.

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In this episode of 'God on the Move', Aden Friedman shares his remarkable journey from his roots in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family in South Africa to becoming the Canadian branch leader of Jews for Jesus. Aden recounts his early life, the spiritual struggles that led him to question his faith, and the profound experiences that directed him toward Christianity. He also discusses his innovative ministry initiatives, such as the cookbook project 'My Yiddishe Mama,' which aimed to preserve Jewish heritage while building meaningful relationships.

Links from the interview:

• Book: My Yiddishe Mama

Aden Friedman:

Aden Friedman was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, into an Orthodox Jewish family deeply engaged in the Chabad community. In 1998, he was accepted to study at a Yeshiva in Hadera, Israel. In 2010, Aden met Cara, a follower of Yeshua (Jesus), and through her family, he came to recognize Yeshua as the Messiah of the Jewish people and the world.

After dedicating his life to Yeshua, Aden felt a strong calling to share his faith with the Jewish community. He and Cara married in 2014, and later that year, Aden joined Jews for Jesus in South Africa. In 2017, he authored My Yiddishe Mama, a Jewish heritage cookbook designed for both secular and Orthodox Jewish families in Johannesburg.

In 2021, Aden and Cara welcomed their first child, Levi Ezra, born in Jerusalem. Aden currently serves as the Canada branch leader for Jews for Jesus in Toronto.

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In this episode of 'God on the Move', Khurram shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a poor Christian family in Pakistan to becoming a student minister and founder of Ignite NextGen, a youth organization focused on discipleship, mentorship, and leadership. He discusses the unique challenges faced by Christians in Pakistan, including religious persecution, educational barriers, and unemployment. Through personal testimonies and stories of spiritual growth, Khurram highlights the resilience of the Christian community and the impactful work of his ministry. He addresses questions about Christianity from young Muslims, emphasizing the importance of scripture, the divinity of Jesus, and the concept of the Trinity. Khurram also underscores the critical role of youth in ministry as current leaders, drawing from the Gospel of John and other biblical examples. 

Links from the interview:

• PFES

Khurram Younis:

Khurram Younis is a dedicated servant leader with a heart for youth and a vision to inspire transformation among the next generation in Pakistan. Holding a Bachelor’s in Commerce and Mass Communication, along with a Master of Divinity, Khurram is currently pursuing an MTh at Union School of Theology in Wales.

With over two decades of experience, Khurram has served faithfully with PFES (IFES Pakistan), spent ten years teaching computer studies in a missionary school, and led as Country Director with globalLead. He has also served in volunteer roles with First Priority and One Hope’s Lead Today program. Today, he serves as Director of Ignite NextGen, nurturing future Christian leaders.

A member of the Lausanne Emerging Theologians Initiative, Khurram’s personal journey with identity struggles as a Christian in a non-Christian context has given him a profound empathy for teens and young adults facing similar challenges. His ministry centers on discipleship, mentorship, and leadership development, equipping young people to embrace their faith and lead with courage in Pakistan.

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