A week before the trip, during a video conference to prepare for it, we received a message: “I have been fasting and praying for two days, and the Lord has given me the conviction that I must follow you on this adventure to Mongolia.” It was Emad Badir writing to us to share his interest in this mission, after his vacation was canceled at the last minute. The Lord was already guiding the choice of his team for this trip.
Equestrian statue of Genghis Khan, Ulaanbaatar
When we arrived, we were welcomed by Bagi, a Mongolian missionary who heads Bless Mongolia Ministries. The ministry's goal is for every Mongolian family to receive a Bible and hear about the Cross by 2030. The challenge is immense in a country where only 2% of the population is Christian, but the faith of his team is even greater. In six years, they have already reached 300 of Mongolia's 331 outlying towns.
Our main host is Narmandakh Dondov, pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Church in Ulaanbaatar. He is a reformed criminal whose heart was touched by Jesus at the age of 20. Today, he is the pastor of the largest evangelical church in Mongolia. We were particularly touched by the powerful Spirit living in him and the growth among Christians that Jesus is bringing about through his work.
Dondov Narmandakh, pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Church, and his wife Norov Ulambayar
From the Mongolian Evangelical Alliance to the YWAM Base
We began our meetings with Olivier speaking at the annual conference of the Mongolian Evangelical Alliance. This conference brings together all the evangelical pastors in the country once a year. There were 450 people present, providing a great opportunity to talk about 2033 and spark the interest of some pastors in the celebrations of the 2000th anniversary of the Resurrection.
We then traveled north to Darkhan, the country's second largest city, to meet with the leaders and staff of the local JEM base. There Olivier was able to share the vision.
The pastors were personally touched by our approach and some were already motivated to think about concrete actions for the future. Baterdene, a local pastor and former gang leader, told us, “I am personally touched by JC2033. This vision is in line with what I have already received from God.”
Olivier Fleury and Bayaraa Byambajav at the annual conference of the Mongolian Evangelical Alliance
JC2033 was expected!
Back in the capital, we rushed to our next meeting, the highlight of the trip: a conference organized especially for JC2033 with all the evangelical pastors interested in the vision. It was also an opportunity to talk about the book, “Then the World Will Know,” which we recently had translated into Mongolian. It will be a wonderful tool for spreading the fire of unity and celebration of Jesus.
Unexpected encounter: God opened the doors of the Catholic Church in Mongolia for us, where we were able to meet the deputy of Cardinal Giorgio Marengo (who was himself in the Vatican to elect the new pope) to talk to him about Christian unity and 2033. We are now waiting for the next steps and praying that interdenominational work can begin. The evangelical pastors now want to work with the Catholics. Glory to God for the progress made and for what He will accomplish in Mongolia between now and 2033 in terms of Christian unity!
Meeting between JC2033 and representatives of the Mongolian Catholic Church, with Father Thomas
Blessed by the children
Olivier had another opportunity to preach on Sunday at the Kingdom of Jesus church. The church members heard the vision and received the book. Several children even prayed for Olivier before his sermon, which was a powerful spiritual moment.
We were particularly touched by the living faith of the local Christians and the redemptive power of God that is especially evident in the testimonies of the people we met. A celebration gathering next year with several East Asian countries (including Korea, Japan, and Mongolia) is even being discussed. The Lord is working powerfully in this region. What a blessing it is to see it with our own eyes!
Elie Cuendet
Celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, are you ready?
