After Jesus’ resurrection, he gave his disciples purpose in the Great Commission. The week right after Easter, we’re reminded that we still have work to do—and we get to do it in his name. 

In today’s edition:

• They are no strangers to the gospel—yet they persecute Christians

• How most gospel conversations actually start

• The purpose of prayer

🇮🇩 Born into it: What a surfer in Bali taught me about the Great Commission

We were heading to a coffee shop for a quick break. It was packed. No open tables. We were standing awkwardly with our gear, unsure of where to go, when a young Indonesian woman sitting at a table with extra space waved us over.

She looked like a typical surfer girl. Long hair. Flip-flops. A longboard leaning on the wall behind her. A chill, hippie vibe. Nothing about her said “conservative” or “religious.” She could’ve just as easily been from California.

We sat down and made small talk. She asked what we were doing in Bali. I explained that we were Christians filming a documentary about religion and missions in Indonesia.

Her face lit up. She leaned in and asked questions. Lots of them. She was curious, engaged, genuinely interested. Then I flipped the conversation. I asked her, “So what’s your religion?”

Without hesitating she answered, “Oh, I’m Muslim.”

That was not the answer I was expecting.

Here we were, in a Hindu-majority part of Indonesia, talking openly about Christianity. In most Muslim contexts, she wouldn’t be allowed to dress that way much less sit and have a conversation in public with us. And yet, she identified as Muslim without hesitation. So I couldn’t help but ask: “What does Islam mean to you?”

She told me she was originally from Java, a Muslim-majority island. Her father had passed away. After that, she moved to Bali to have more freedom as a woman. Her mother, she said, didn’t really care what she did anymore. She was free to make her own decisions.

So I asked the next obvious question:  “Do you still consider yourself Muslim?”

She nodded. “Yes. Definitely.”

That caught me even more off guard.

“Do you read Arabic?” No.  

“Do you read the Quran?” No.  

“Do you observe Ramadan?” No.  

“Do you go to mosque?” No.

She wasn’t offended. She answered openly and honestly. And then she said something that stuck with me: “I’m Muslim because that’s what I was born into. It’s on my ID card.”

It reminded me of conversations I’ve had in the U.S. or Latin America with people who say, “I’m a Christian” but haven’t opened a Bible in years. They don’t attend church. They don’t pray. Their lives bear no connection to Jesus. But still—they were born into a “Christian” family, so that’s who they are. At least on paper.

Religious nominalism isn’t just a Christian problem.

It’s human.

We all tend to hold on to identity markers we inherited, even when the substance is long gone. And for many people, faith isn’t about belief—it’s about belonging. It’s cultural, not spiritual. That’s important for Christians to understand as we engage the world with the gospel.

That moment showed me a few important things about faith and mission.

First, ask good questions. Most people aren’t used to talking about their beliefs. They’re even less used to being asked about them with genuine curiosity. Asking questions—kind, open-ended ones—can open doors that arguments never will.

Second, don't assume people believe what their label says. She called herself Muslim, but didn’t follow Islamic practices. Just like many people say they’re Christians, but don’t follow Jesus. Labels don’t tell the whole story. Listen before you leap to conclusions.

Third, often, the Great Commission starts with compassion. Jesus didn’t say, “Go and win arguments.” He said, “Go and make disciples.” That starts with seeing people—really seeing them. Hearing their stories. Entering their world. That’s how trust is built.

And fourth, many people are spiritually hungry—even if they don’t know it yet. This young woman didn’t practice Islam, but she was hungry for spiritual conversation. She was searching. That’s more common than we think. The gospel is good news for people like her. But they won’t hear it unless someone takes the time to sit down and talk.

At the end of the conversation, we didn’t convert her. But we planted a seed.

She left knowing that Christians care, that Jesus matters, and that there’s more to faith than a label on an ID card. That’s how the Great Commission often begins.

Not with a sermon.  

But at a crowded coffee shop.  

With an open seat.  

And a conversation that matters.

— Steven Morales

P.S.: Go watch the first two episodes of Hard to Reach: Indonesia to learn more about the nuances of gospel work in a country where mosques and mega churches are right across the street from each other, and where millions are still unreached by the gospel.

🇪🇹 From Christian to Muslim to… Christian again?

As one of the earliest countries to make Christianity the nation’s official religion and mentioned throughout the Bible various times, Ethiopia is no stranger to the gospel. We can trace Christianity back to Ethiopia for over 1,600 years—maybe even 2,000!

On the other hand, Ethiopia has been home to many Muslims since the 7th century. There’s a dichotomy when it comes to religion in Ethiopia, causing persecution and confusion when it comes to theology and the truth.

Despite persecution against Christians, today, Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing Protestant nations in Africa. Furthermore, many of the new believers come from the younger generations.

How to Pray: As the church and gospel continue to grow and spread, we can praise God for growing the Kingdom in Ethiopia. We pray that new believers may build their faith on a firm foundation, that they may be equipped in the Word, and that they may have bold witnesses. 

Since some Ethiopian regions have a strong Islam presence, we can pray for the safety of believers as they meet together and share the gospel with others. Also, we pray that Ethiopian believers may find community within the Church and peace from the Holy Spirit as they face persecution and isolation from Islamist mobs.

📍 Attention Worthy

• David Platt’s new book, How to Read the Bible, comes out on May 6. It’s short, practical, and written to help you study and understand God’s Word as the priceless treasure that it is. For a limited time, you can get a free copy and a seat at a private Bible study with David on release date when you make a gift of any size to Radical before May 5 at midnight!

• As you seek to share the gospel, take time to consider these four neglected essentials of evangelism.

• Why do we focus so much on the unreached when there are lost people all around us? A former atheist talks about why overseas missions are important when there are so many needs at home.

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS:

Selah Lipsey, Steven Morales, Jairo Namnún, Camille Suazo

MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT!