“When we started working with Global Disciples five years ago, we had only 20 workers for the Gospel,” Kaleb said. “Now we have planted 34 churches and have 45 mission workers.”

Kaleb directs a discipleship-mission training program in southwestern Ethiopia. One year, he and the disciple-makers he trained walked for three days to reach the Merihit—an unreached people group with their own king.  

“On our way, we met two gunmen, murderers who have robbed and killed many people,” Kaleb said. “They commanded us to kneel down, and they put their guns to our heads. I began praying inside. I knew their language a bit so I begged them not to kill me because I am preaching Jesus Christ.”

The gunmen changed their minds. The disciple-makers shared their food, and the men told them to go.

Kaleb said, “In fear, we started running. When I saw one of them running toward us, I was scared and I stopped. He asked us to tell him more about God! We shared the love of God with him, in our limited language, and he gave his life to follow Christ!”

This gunman—a known thief and murderer—met Jesus that day and a new life began. In fact, he went with Kaleb and his team to the king of the Merihit and witnessed with them. About 420 people gave their lives to follow Jesus Christ!

When the time came to move on, Kaleb appointed the gunman to take care of the newly-planted church. First-hand, he saw the Lord transform this gunman and open a door to an unreached people.