Host Laura Wilcox welcomes Ashley back to the Sacred Story Podcast for a conversation about transformed lives in the Middle East. Ashley shares how the underground church in Iran is one of the fastest-growing underground churches in the world, despite intense persecution.

Ashley describes her ministry in another Middle Eastern country where Iranians and other nationalities have settled. While she and her husband are always looking for the next "person of peace" who is ready to hear the good news about Jesus, they also wait patiently and prayerfully in their interactions with others for God to make it clear that someone is seeking Him. For example, one woman saw a photo of believers in Jesus and expressed she wanted the hope she saw in their eyes. She and others in her circle of influence soon came to faith in Christ.

Laura asks Ashley how Western believers can learn from the suffering, persecuted church in the Middle East. Ashley shares that the suffering church there is also a thriving church, marked by a joy and perseverance many Western believers have not yet imagined. 

Laura also asks how listeners can join God's harvest in the Middle East. Ashley says, "We want to connect with Western believers who have a God-given burden for the Middle East. We're called together to fulfill the Great Commission." Ashley asks for prayer for open doors, protection from the enemy and wisdom in the relationships and conversations she and her husband have as they look for those persons of peace. Find out more about Ashley's ministry in Sacred Story Podcast Episodes 53, 18, and 7. 

You can also join others in daily prayer at Joshua Project's Unreached of the Day , also available as an app. This app/website provides information and prayer requests about an unreached people daily. You can join the growing number of others praying on that day for that particular people. 

If you'd like to support Ashley's ministry, let us know at [email protected].