by Jennifer Bishop

As you may already know or have learned, the Last Frontier makes reference both to a geographical area and the spiritual condition of that region. It is located between the latitudes of 10° and 40°. It includes the last places that have yet to hear the gospel. The Last Frontier is where there is great spiritual bondage to ancestor worship, Buddhism, idol worship, and primarily atheism.

Paul and Melanie (names changed for security purposes), who serve in the Last Frontier, told me that where they serve “is an oasis in the desert, so the temperature is very, very hot for about eight months of the year. We have adopted this verse for our updates: ‘Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country’ (Proverbs 25:25 ESV) because we know that our job is to bring Living Water to this spiritually dry and thirsty land.”

To know more about their ministry in this unique part of the word, read on:

Missions Interchange (MI): How did you come to serve where you are now? What was the process of being led there?

Melanie: My husband and I are serving together. We met during the process to go as journeymen to two very far away places. We met back up after our terms were completed. We told God that we were willing to go wherever. He began to develop in us a desire to reach the "up-and-out" (people of wealth, but with neither Christ nor access to the gospel).

MI: Please describe your living and working conditions.

Melanie: At the present time, we are finishing up language school and moving to a city to begin to do business as mission. Finding ways to get into the life space of wealthy people is often very challenging. They do not do everyday tasks that put them out into everyday life. Those things are done by servants. We hope to use the skills God has given us to enter into the lives of our people group. Using creative access means will allow us to share not only the gospel with them, but our lives as well.

MI: What is the political and economic climate of your region?

Melanie: The people are Muslim. There is no church among our people. But more than Islam, they have become consumed with materialism. Sometimes it is hard to determine what the biggest obstacle in reaching them is: money or Islam!

MI: What is the spiritual history of your area? How has that changed over time, and what is the spiritual climate like now?

Melanie: This area has been Muslim since the time of Muhammad, but there have been some records of existing churches. There are many expatriates who live in our area, so the encouraging thing is that the government allows churches for those people. There is some level of religious tolerance, but there are consequences for openly sharing your faith and persecution for people who convert.

MI: What would you identify as your biggest obstacles or challenges to ministry right now?

Melanie: Materialism first, then Islam—or probably both equally at this point—are our biggest challenges. Satan is trying his best to hold on to the Last Frontier, because he knows what is coming. But, we know that God desires for the gospel to be preached to every tribe, tongue, and people.

MI: What is the focus of your current ministry? What approaches have you found helpful or successful? In other words, what ideas have worked well to reach people?

Melanie: Using creative access ways to get to know people of influence. Using affinity groups by finding people who are already naturally grouped together. We have found that trying to learn the heart language of the people group has been frustrating, because most of them, especially in the business world, speak great English.

MI: How can believers still living in the US be of support to you? What are needs you have for which we can pray?

Melanie: People in the US can help in many ways. Definitely prayer for the people who are “up-and-out” not to find satisfaction in things and trying to work their way into heaven. They can begin to use world news as a point of prayer. Our area is featured on the news daily. You can begin to look around for Muslims in your area and mosques, as well as specialty shops to begin to get to know the people and their ways of life. You can encourage students who are deciding what career path to take to ask the Lord to show them how He would like to use their lives and work to reach the nations for Him.

Jennifer Bishop lives in Chicago and is excited for winter to leave and spring to come. She enjoys walking to the lake, outdoor eating, and more daylight in her favorite season.