Grace to the Humble: Equipping the Marginalized in Pakistan

‘But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’

James 4:6 [ESV]

In Pakistan, the church is expanding in unexpected places among the marginalized. Multiple leaders in the Pakistani church testified at the Fourth Lausanne Congress to God’s faithfulness in reaching those who live on the outskirts of society. In some situations, God called people in—from the margins into his work. In other situations, he called people out, from professional careers to ministers to the lowly. The following stories demonstrate how Pakistani Christians from various sectors of society are united in their service to bring the gospel to the unreached.

Building the Church with Souls, not Bricks | Jonathan Ghaffar Masih

According to Global Christian Relief, there are approximately 20,000 brick kilns in Pakistan, employing three to four million people. Most of these are in bonded slavery, never earning enough to pay their insurmountable debts.¹ Like the children of Israel in Egypt, Jonathan Ghaffar Masih and his family made bricks in the dangerous kilns.

After placing his faith in Jesus at 13, Jonathan was called to serve as a missionary in Pakistan. He went to seminary, and he and his wife began to ask the Lord for next steps. To their surprise, the Lord asked them to return to the brick kilns. Jonathan said, ‘Jesus, are you kidding me?’ Jesus reminded him, ‘I called you for my kingdom. You have to go back and strengthen your brothers and sisters—those still working in a brick kiln.’

Living a life of humility is key to advancing the gospel and building the church, not with bricks, but with souls.

Jonathan and his wife returned to Faisalabad and planted a church. Over the last five years, they have begun ministries to children, youth, and women. God, in his faithfulness, has brought 300 people to them. They are sharing the gospel, discipling, and encouraging them. Jonathan’s charge to those who will hear the call of God is, ‘If you believe in God, give your heart to Christ. He will definitely change your life, your condition, and your situation.

Jonathan’s story of humility and obedience is a beautiful example of how God gives grace to those who are willing to humble themselves. Living a life of humility is key to advancing the gospel and building the church, not with bricks, but with souls.

Dignity for the Downtrodden | Nargus Azhar

Nargus Azhar knows what it is to live as a woman in Pakistan—to be silenced by the men of society and robbed of dignity as an image-bearer of God. As a voice for the silenced, she works with Light for the Nations, whose vision statement is ‘Empowering the marginalized to live with dignity and respect.’ Nargus equips vulnerable women through advocacy, education, and training in valuable skills.

She teaches women about their inherent worth and value to God. She further asserts Jesus’ value of women as he healed them, treated them with care, and included them in ministry. She works to set women free from prostitution, and her organization equips these women with skills to provide for themselves.

‘She is not excluded. She is included. She is not rejected; she is selected by God,’ Nargus says.

She and her organization also work to set children free from working in the brick kilns in Punjab. It is illegal for the children to work there, but many times, parents sell their children in desperation. They are providing the children with education and skills to escape the dangers of the kilns and to live with dignity and respect.

‘She is not excluded. She is included. She is not rejected; she is selected by God,’

This story reminds us of how important it is to see people with God’s eyes—made with respect, honor, and dignity. May we be moved to pray for those in the margins, praying they will see themselves as God does, as creatures for whom Jesus gave up his life.

Ears to Hear Among the Deaf | Salas Rashid

Salas Rasheed was working with the Global Recording Network in Pakistan, recording gospel stories in 40 different language groups. Soon after his daughter, Susanna, was born, he and his wife learned that she was deaf. Having a deaf daughter made them aware of the need for the deaf to receive the gospel message.

After encountering some deaf ministries on a trip to the Philippines, Salas began a new ministry for the deaf in Pakistan and became aware of the difficulty of being deaf in their society—they were neglected, looked down upon, and not seen as equal to the hearing community. Seven sign language churches have now begun in Pakistan. Salas does not take credit for these churches; in fact, he said, ‘It’s not just us, but the churches we planted—they planted churches.’ He explains that there is a revival among these churches and the families of the deaf, who have come to realize their value to society.

Salas praises God for making him aware of the need for the deaf to encounter the gospel in Pakistan through experiencing his daughter’s needs. His humility to work with those society has discarded has multiplied into a movement reaching those whose ears are closed, but whose hearts are open to receive the good news with joy.

Praying for Pakistan

God has strategically placed his people from all walks of life to minister to those on the margins of society.

As Ujala Hans, a pharmacist turned church planter, said ‘The Holy Spirit is reviving the Pakistani church. We Pakistani Christians love Pakistan, and the Pakistani church is rising, so that we can bless the country even more. Even in times of persecution, we are rising to pray and intercede for the country, to bless the country. God is raising the professional people into ministry and the Pakistani church for mission and evangelism.’

‘The Holy Spirit is reviving the Pakistani church.

God is calling people into ministry in the margins of Pakistani society in a united effort to make disciples. Supporting these ministers through prayer is a privilege.

May God’s work in Pakistan continue to advance as we partner in prayer for these ministries.

• Pray for these ministers and ministries and for hearts to be open to the gospel.
• Pray for protection for those who work in dangerous environments.
• Pray for the Lord to raise up more laborers for the harvest field in Pakistan

Endnotes

1. O. Brian, 2023. “Christianity and slavery: the unheard stories from Pakistan’s brick kilns.” https://globalchristianrelief.org/christian-persecution/stories/persecuted-christians-the-unheard-stories-from-pakistans-brick-kilns/.