[10 minute read] 

Life & Ministry

If you've been following our journey at Eternal King Ministries, you know that our desire is to faithfully follow Jesus wherever He leads and to make disciples among those who have little opportunity to hear the Gospel. Looking back over the past several months, we're reminded that this has never been our work alone. The Lord has been faithful every step of the way, and we're so grateful for each of you who continues to partner with us through your prayers, encouragement, and support. 

Some of our prayers have been answered in ways we never could have anticipated, while others continue to teach us patience and dependence. Like every season of ministry, this one has brought its share of joys, challenges, and unexpected lessons. We'd love to share a few of those with you today.

Some Personal Updates

Earlier this year we entered another visa renewal season. The process is never something we take for granted, because each renewal is a reminder that our ability to remain here is ultimately in the Lord's hands. We are grateful to report that everything progressed smoothly, allowing us to continue living and serving without interruption.

Another answer to prayer has been the opportunity to settle into our apartment after yet another move. Since moving overseas, we've had to relocate, on average, about every two years. Some moves have been planned, while others came with very little notice, often because a landlord decided to sell. Each transition has meant packing up our lives, adapting to a new neighborhood, rebuilding routines, and finding our footing all over again.

We're grateful that our current landlord has agreed to extend our lease. After years of frequent moves, knowing we won't need to pack up again this year has been a tremendous relief. It's allowed us to recover from the constant transitions and devote more of our time and energy to ministry, relationships, and building Eternal King Ministries.

We've also been thankful to see the Lord continue providing financially. Over the past year our monthly support has gradually increased. We still have meaningful financial needs ahead, but looking back, we see that God's provision has come one step at a time, exactly when it has been needed.

A Reminder of Why We're Here

One moment that beautifully captures what ministry has looked like recently began about eight years ago.

When I (Cassie) first arrived, I attempted to share the Gospel with one of my language teachers. At the time, my language skills were limited, so I relied on simple drawings, gestures, and whatever vocabulary I could piece together. One sketch in particular has stayed with me all these years: a simple drawing contrasting heaven and hell, angels and demons. Looking at it now, it's amusing but deeply meaningful. It reminds me of those early days, desperately wanting to introduce someone with no biblical background to the hope of Christ and some of the Bible's most foundational truths, despite having such limited language skills.

That sketch is the image we've chosen to share at the top of this update.

Recently, after many years, we reconnected. To our surprise and encouragement, she shared that her interest in God has continued to grow. Today, she has begun leading a Bible study of her own, and she continues to learn more about Scripture and follow Jesus.

Like many believers around the world, she is learning how to live out her faith through the realities of everyday life. She shared that she has begun taking small but courageous steps to introduce her daughter to Jesus, even expressing a desire to bring her to church. This has required tremendous wisdom and courage. Her husband is not a believer, and her daughter is taught that Christianity is wrong at school. Children are encouraged to report their parents for involvement with Christianity, and many have done so. Knowing these realities makes her faith all the more remarkable.

Watching her mature over the years has been a great encouragement to us. Sometimes we plant, sometimes we water, but the Lord continues working long after a conversation has ended. At the time, that little sketch felt like a small, imperfect attempt to explain the Gospel. Looking back now, it's a reminder that God delights in using our simple, imperfect efforts in ways we could never predict. 

Building While Serving

Much of our time continues to be spent meeting one-on-one with believers, gathering in small groups, encouraging those who are growing in their faith, and walking alongside people through the ordinary joys and challenges of following Jesus. These relationships remain at the heart of why we're here. Over the past several months, it's been a privilege to witness Jesus transforming lives in both ordinary and extraordinary ways by opening doors for the Gospel, strengthening believers, bringing healing, speaking through dreams, giving words of wisdom and knowledge, showing favor, and providing supernatural protection.

Alongside this ongoing ministry, another significant focus this season has been building Eternal King Ministries behind the scenes. Over the past several months we've devoted many hours to praying, planning, writing, refining our vision, and researching resources that we hope will strengthen the ministry for years to come.

It has been encouraging to sense the Lord's direction through each step. There have been many decisions to make, but He has faithfully guided us, providing the wisdom we needed for each next step.

Difficult Updates

Not every update from this year has been joyful. Recently, the house church attended by a close friend of ours was forcibly shut down. Several members of the church's leadership were taken into custody and remain imprisoned today. When something like this happens, the impact extends far beyond those who are imprisoned. Congregations are scattered, regular gatherings come to a halt, and fear can make people hesitant to continue meeting or even maintain contact with one another. The ripple effects continue to be felt throughout the entire church community long after the initial event.

Another heartbreaking moment came through one of our close friends whom we've had the privilege of discipling. His mother was tragically killed, and in the midst of his grief, he began questioning everything he believed. Recently, he returned the Bible we had given him, inscribed with his name, and told us he no longer wanted anything to do with God or with us.

If the Lord brings these people or situations to mind, we would be grateful if you prayed for the imprisoned church leaders, for the believers whose church community has been disrupted, ourselves included, and for our friend, that the Lord would meet him in his grief and draw him back to Himself.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read this update, for caring about what God is doing, and for the many ways you've encouraged us. Your prayers, kind messages, and practical partnership make it possible for us to continue serving both here in Asia and through the growing work of Eternal King Ministries. We are so grateful for each one of you.

In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing more about an upcoming fundraising campaign and our hope of building a sustainable foundation for the future of Eternal King Ministries. We're thankful to be serving Christ alongside you, and we're excited to tell you more about this vision soon.

With love and gratitude,

Martin and Cassie

Need Prayer?

If there's something we can be praying for, we'd be honored to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out through our contact page.