Dear Friends,

Do you sometimes wonder whether Jesus can be found in our world today? Perhaps we believe He is in certain places but not in others. Maybe He can only be found in:

But, what about a secular university class—could He be there?

Cyrus began discovering Jesus at his secular university (in a country not open to the Gospel) during his first year of studies. He reflects, "During my first year at university a professor in one of my classes suggested that if we wanted to understand western culture, then we should read the Bible. So, I bought a Bible, but didn't really read it much."

Fast forward to his third year at the same university, the same country, the same professor but a new course: Introduction to the Bible. "This time," as Cyrus says, "not only did I read the Bible, but we studied the four Gospels and watched movies like The Ten Commandments in class. Our professor encouraged us to keep on thinking about and reading the Bible."

When I heard Cyrus' experience I was excited! Jesus can be found—even in unlikely places.

Jesus was born in a very unlikely place for a King – a stable. Yet, as people worshipped Him, their lives were transformed. The shepherds spread the word; the wise men returned home "a different way." Nothing was the same anymore. The Light of the world—Jesus—changed everything.

But, what about Cyrus? Has anything changed for him? Yes.

He met new friends in Canada at graduate school. Several were Christians. They were kind, genuine, warm-hearted, with an inner peace. These qualities prompted his interest in looking further at the Jesus of the Bible. Friends do make a difference!

Many have walked with Cyrus on his journey; but a Navigator at his Canadian university has been the one to listen, discuss intellectual barriers and read the Bible with him. This person, whom Cyrus calls "a very great friend," walks alongside him, encourages him, lives a genuine life-and now-nothing is the same for Cyrus. He has a relationship with Jesus. What was begun in a very unlikely place is now growing in his heart, changing everything. His faith is growing and he wants to share it with friends here and his family back home.

Navigators walk alongside people, helping them come to Christ and grow deep in their walk with God. Just as someone is walking with Cyrus, so he is seeking to do the same with others-respecting them, listening, answering questions and reading the Bible with them-so they can get to know Jesus personally.

There are many unlikely places where we don't expect to find Jesus-secular universities, marketplaces, sports teams. But He's there!

Worldwide, there is a Navigator presence in over 150 countries—many of which are closed to traditional missions. We are working hard to see many more like Cyrus come to know Jesus and go into those unlikely places so the Light of the world can be found.

Your gift this Christmas would help us go even further in reaching and discipling people like Cyrus. Please consider making a generous gift to see many others come to know Jesus. Each gift helps us move deeper into those unlikely placesd.

Thank you for partnering with us to help others find Jesus—the Light of the world.

Celebrating His birth with you,
Eric

Eric Stolte, President

P.S. To give a gift online, click Christmas Gift: Christmas Gift
Thank you for generously helping others like Cyrus find Jesus.