A Call to Go: Scouting the Fields of Harvest - YWAM Trang Scouting Trip Report

Written by: Caleb Bartel Edited by: Erik Gonzalez

Translated by: Kwan & Thaksin Jitkhong

At the core of our mission is a call to go—to bring the good news of Jesus to those who have never heard. This is why we take scouting trips: to seek out the places where the gospel has yet to take root, to build relationships, and to discern how we can partner with the Lord in His work among the nations. Recently, our team set out to visit two countries in regions where Christianity is either nearly extinct or heavily persecuted. What we found was both heartbreaking and full of hope.

"We commit to bring about the obedience of faith among the unreached nations by mobilizing, discipling, and going."

Our first stop brought us to a country with a history deeply rooted in Christianity, a place where the apostles once tread, and a land where the early church took its first steps. In this place, the stories of faith in Christ were once heard in every corner. Yet, today, the reality is stark. In a country of over 86 million people, only 0.04% identify as Christian. Although the churches that remain are few, the vibrant faith of the past is anything but a distant memory. As we journeyed through the ancient cities, the echoes of history were heavy in the air. We stood in awe of grand cathedrals, now converted into mosques, remnants of a once-thriving faith. Yet, even in the shadow of this decline, there is a flicker of hope.

We met with a small but passionate group of believers—an enduring, unified church determined to see their people rise. These Christians are not just looking inward; they are ready to go. They desire to send missionaries into the surrounding regions—lands where the gospel has never been preached. We left this place feeling a mix of hope and burden. The fruit of the Gospel may not be as vibrant as it once was, but there are open-hearted individuals here, waiting for those bold enough to leave everything behind and nurture the resilient seeds of faith.

Going: “Regularly sending long and short-term teams and engaging in outreaches throughout southern Thailand and our adopted nations, sharing the gospel in both word and deed.”

The second nation we visited stands in stark contrast. Here, Christianity is not merely ignored—it is resisted. The believers we met live under constant pressure, facing persecution that is both systemic and violent. This country ranks among the top ten most dangerous places to be a Christian. Here, the stakes are high, and the cost of following Jesus is steep.

The stories we heard were gut-wrenching: families torn apart, villages burned, lives destroyed. We visited homes where Christians are trapped in a cycle of modern slavery, forced to make bricks to repay insurmountable debts, all while struggling to hold onto their faith in a hostile world. It was easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of suffering in such a place, to wonder how the light of Christ could ever penetrate the deep darkness that looms.

And yet, even here, hope remains. Jesus’ words in John 16:33 echoed in our hearts: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." The believers we met are not crushed. They hold fast to the promise that their suffering is not in vain, that their true home is being prepared for them (John 14:1-3). Even in the darkest places, the light of Christ is shining, and we believe He will use the weak to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).

“it is a joy and privilege to live our lives in such a way that responds to Jesus and hastens the day of His coming, knowing He does not desire that any would perish but that all would come to repentance.”

Though the countries we visited were worlds apart—one a place where Christianity is nearly forgotten, the other a land where faith is a threat to survival—there is one unshakable truth that ties them together: the gospel must go out. Whether the soil is fertile or hardened, the message of Jesus is eternal, and it is worth everything. We have seen that despite the struggles, the Kingdom of God is advancing, and the gospel is still the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46).

In the midst of all the challenges, we felt a renewed sense of urgency. The call to go—to mobilize, to disciple, to send—has never been more pressing. There are still Billions who have never heard the name of Jesus. There are still nations where His truth has not yet been proclaimed. The fields are ready for harvest, but the laborers are few.

As we reflect on this trip, we’re reminded of the words of Jesus in John 20:21: “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” Will you stand with us? Will you join the cause of Christ and go forth to the fields of harvest? There is still much to be done, but together, we can make a difference.