Editor’s Note: This article expands on key themes from the panel discussion in the video above.
Getting the gospel to the unreached often requires years of learning a new language and adapting to a new culture. This kind of ministry will always be necessary. But did you know there are churches around the world that have the opportunity to minister to people from a multitude of unreached people groups—and they can even do it in English?
Josh and Jenny Manley have served in one of these “international churches” for years, and in this panel discussion at CROSS CON25, they share their story with David Platt. The Manleys had great political ambitions while working on Capitol Hill, but through a series of events and the ministry of their local church, the Lord led this couple from Mississippi to a strategic ministry location in the Middle East.
Josh serves as the Pastor of RAK Evangelical Church, an English-speaking church in the United Arab Emirates. The story of this church is a reminder of the creative and strategic ways God is at work in the world for the spread of his gospel.
A Unique Opportunity
In God’s providence, a ruling prince in the UAE granted land for the building of RAK Evangelical Church, a nearly unprecedented move in this region. People from all over the world flock to this area for better opportunities in business and education, including individuals from some of the world’s hardest to reach people groups and places. And since English is the trade language in this area, there are fewer barriers to sharing the gospel and discipling new Christians.
A Privilege and a Stewardship
Josh and Jenny talk about the amazing privilege of getting to proclaim the gospel to those who have never heard it. They have also been encouraged by their interaction with believers who are originally from persecuted areas. In both cases, their hope is that the church’s influence would reach far beyond its immediate area, particularly given the transient nature of the general population. When those who are evangelized and discipled return home, they may be in a better position than English-speaking Westerners when it comes to spreading the gospel among the unreached.
Josh is also intentional about leveraging the church’s strategic context for other purposes. He wants to serve pastors from the region, many of whom have little access to good biblical reaching and resources. The church can also serve as a training ground for Christians who aspire to be missionaries in the future. It’s rare to find cross-cultural opportunities to minister in English in the context of a healthy church.
It Hasn’t Been Easy … But it Has Been Worth It
While serving in an international church has certain advantages, the Manleys are honest about the challenges. They have had to leave behind comforts and former career ambitions, and the expectations for their kids’ education and sports involvement have had to be adjusted. The loneliness has been painful at times. And while the Manleys have not faced intense physical persecution, Jenny describes the sacrifice as “death by a thousand paper cuts.”
Yet through it all, the Manleys have seen God’s faithfulness. “I know God in ways I would have never known him by walking this path” Josh says. Jenny admits that she was not initially enthusiastic about moving to the Middle East, but God has patiently taken care of her. Her encouragement for those who are struggling with what God has for them is to do what she did— trust him and take small steps forward.
How Might the Lord Be Leading You?
While the story of the Manleys and RAK Evangelical Church is unique, God’s work in and through his people should encourage every follower of Christ. All Christians are encouraged to leverage the opportunities God has given them for the spread of his gospel. Not only are there other international churches in major cities around the world, but there are also many opportunities for Christians to pursue education and work in places where there is little gospel access.
The Glory and Patience of God
Regardless of how the Lord leads, Josh’s closing exhortation is relevant for all who are considering how the Lord might use their life:
I hope you leave here with a massive vision of the glory of God, because for decades that will sustain you and that will fuel you in whatever way you go in life. … Missions is absolutely urgent, and I also want to say: be patient, be in your church, be under elders— formation needs to happen. Be trained theologically. … The Lord is a patient God, and he has been about this work since the creation of the world.
David Platt serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church. He is also the Founder of Radical, an organization that makes Jesus known among the nations.
David received his B.A. from the University of Georgia and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Some of his published works include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Don’t Hold Back, and How to Read the Bible.
He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children.
Josh Manley is a pastor of Ras Al Khaimah Evangelical Church in the United Arab Emirates.
Jenny Manley lives in the United Arab Emirates, where she serves in Ras Al Khaimah Evangelical Church with her husband, Josh, and their five children. She is the author of the new book The Good Portion: The Doctrine of Christ for Every Woman.
Radical exists to make Jesus known everywhere.
