In the New Testament, Jewish religious leaders and Roman officials alike were unimpressed by the disciples’ educational pedigree, or lack thereof. However, they could not deny the power accompanying their preaching and healing ministry. In the same way, God is still at work today using “unqualified” people to confound the wise, share the gospel and glorify His name to the ends of the earth.

“Uncle Garvesh*” is as unqualified as they come, except that He knows Jesus as His Savior and Lord. He was older than most of the participants in the Bible storytelling workshops when he joined the two-year training and sharing program. He never had any formal education, and, among the pastors from his area, his lack of schooling disqualified him for leadership.

But Uncle Garvesh didn’t complain about their attitude towards him. He was shy and content to remain in the background.

The program equipped participants to share Bible stories in chronological order from creation to Christ and required that they share the stories with family and friends. Uncle Garvesh started with his wife and children, sharing the stories timidly in the beginning. Little by little, he continued to share in larger circles with neighbors and friends. In this way, he mastered the stories and shared his faith with others.

Soon, Uncle Garvesh was invited to participate in a Christian leaders’ meeting in his district. He took the opportunity to encourage fellow Christian workers and shared from the Bible without referencing notes or a written Bible. His boldness and accuracy in sharing God’s word greatly surprised the leaders. Thereafter, the leaders of his area recognized Uncle Garvesh as a respected and qualified Christian leader.

Since returning from Bible storying training, he has started two new churches and overseen multiple home-based storytelling groups in different villages. According to the audience’s preference, he uses Nepali and his heart language to share the gospel through Bible stories. Once a shy man whom other Christians did not consider qualified for leadership, Uncle Garvesh has earned the respect of fellow Christian workers and gained enough confidence through his application of training to speak with boldness for the Lord. Like Peter, John and the other disciples, he is now a bold leader empowered by God’s Word.

*name changed

Mukhtar won a coveted spot at a school for promising Islamic apologists where students are taught Bible passages that support the Islamic faith. Mukhtar became so fascinated with the Bible that he bought his own copy from the black market. The Word of God gripped him with such power that he read it from cover to cover in less than two months; he could think of nothing else. He turned to Christ, giving up academic prestige, community respect, and a secure economic future. Persecuted and financially abandoned by his family, he sought refuge in a local church where he took a simple job as a door guard.

Finding his own copy of God’s Word led Mukhtar to sacrifice everything for faith in Christ, discovering joy as a doorkeeper in the house of God.