Biruk is one ordinary man in Ethiopia—a man with big dreams, and a big heart. He knows that "God…wants all people to be saved" (1 Timothy 2:3-4), and he's on a mission to see as many people as possible have an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus.
Biruk belongs to a local cluster of churches that uses the Global Disciples approach for equipping disciple-makers to go and plant churches among least-reached people. When they added small business training, Biruk signed up. The training gives church planters a means of support and a tool for sharing Jesus Christ.
Biruk saw how a business could support his vision for reaching people with the Gospel. He started a tailoring business, rented a sewing machine, and set up in the marketplace, taking on sewing and mending for people in his community.
One day, a woman came to him with some work. Through conversation, Biruk learned that her daughter was possessed by demons. He offered to pray for her, and the daughter was delivered by the power of Jesus! The mother was so grateful, she helped Biruk find a place for his business. A space that he could also use for the newly-planted church!
When a local drug addict heard the message of Jesus, he put his faith in Christ and the Lord freed him from his addiction. Biruk began to disciple him and he's now an outspoken witness for Jesus and a leader in the new church. Biruk helped him develop a shoe cleaning business to support himself and witness through his business.
One man, one conversation, one answered prayer, one changed life. With God, one is a big number. And the story doesn't stop there.