A beautiful but complex part of the world, western Asia is facing many challenges due to nearby conflict. Although this is a place where the good news first flourished, today fewer than 0.3 per cent of the people are followers of Jesus. The vast majority of the population follow Islam and this shapes their daily […]

A beautiful but complex part of the world, western Asia is facing many challenges due to nearby conflict. Although this is a place where the good news first flourished, today fewer than 0.3 per cent of the people are followers of Jesus. The vast majority of the population follow Islam and this shapes their daily life and social encounters. People in western Asia need a positive Christian witness from people who will develop meaningful relationships and show love to all.

Natalie and Stephen first met in 2010 and were married just over a year later. As part of their honeymoon they served for four months in Malaysia in a school for people with disabilities. Here God sparked a passion to follow his call to serve those most marginalised in the world. After much prayer and consideration, they feel that God is leading them to move to western Asia in 2016 and to serve there long-term.

Upon arriving in western Asia, language study will be their initial focus, as they learn to participate in the culture. Natalie has been a teacher for seven years and for the last two years has specialised in teaching children with disabilities. She will use her experience to support locals working with people with disabilities, especially as they suffer rejection by society because of the belief that God has cursed them. Stephen’s background is in software programming and project management. He will partner with organisations that serve both locals and refugees, utilising his administrative and technical skills.

This is an exciting opportunity for us in the LCA and LCNZ to join the work God is doing in this area. Please pray for Natalie and Stephen as they prepare to serve in western Asia.

Natalie and Stephen are working through Interserve. The LCA has a Memorandum of Understanding with Interserve as we partner  in the work we are called to do in the world.

This story was also published in the March 2015 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to donate to Natalie and Stephen, you are invited to contact LCA International Mission at lcaim@lca.org.au or 08 8267 7334.