Introduction: A Global Mission Field on Our Doorstep
Imagine this: A devout Hindu mother shops at your neighborhood grocery store. A secular Muslim student walks the same college campus as your kids. A Buddhist international student attends ESL classes at your church.
These aren’t scenes from far-off mission fields—they’re the new faces of your everyday life.
And yet, 85% of Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists globally still don’t personally know a Christian.* That staggering statistic reveals an urgent truth: we cannot fulfill the Great Commission without equipping everyday believers to confidently share Jesus across faiths.
1. The Great Commission Isn’t Just for Missionaries
Jesus’ final words were not for a select few. He said to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)—a call to all believers.
Still, many Christians believe cross-cultural evangelism is reserved for overseas missionaries or seminary-trained experts.
But the truth is: if you follow Jesus, you’re already called. And in today’s globalized world, the nations aren’t just there—they’re here, in our neighborhoods, classrooms, and workplaces.
iHOPE Ministries bridges this gap by equipping believers through the ETHNOS Course—a practical, hands-on training that helps everyday Christians confidently live out the Great Commission, right where God has placed them.
2. Everyday Encounters are Divine Opportunities
Meet Sahar, an Iranian nursing student in North Texas. Raised in a secular Muslim home, she had never experienced personal prayer—until a Christian at an international student event gently asked, “How can I pray for you in Jesus’ name” That single question sparked her journey toward discovering Christ’s love.
These kinds of encounters happen every day—but many believers miss them. Not from lack of heart, but lack of equipping.
iHOPE’s training helps believers recognize spiritual openness, ask thoughtful questions, and share their faith in a respectful, culturally aware way.
📊 Stat: *78% of unchurched people say they would engage in a faith conversation if a Christian friend listened without judgment.*²
The harvest is ripe. We just need the courage to start the conversation.
3. Cross-Faith Conversations Don’t Have to Be Complicated
One of the most common fears we hear:
“I’m not a theologian—I wouldn’t know what to say to a Muslim or Hindu!”
But sharing Jesus isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening well, loving deeply, and pointing others to Christ as you go about your life.
Through iHOPE’s ETHNOS Course, believers learn to:
Understand worldview differences
Recognize spiritual barriers and bridges
Share the gospel in ways that resonate across cultures
Take for example, a Christian woman who invited her Buddhist neighbor over for tea. As she listened to her neighbor’s story of shame and fear, she gently shared how Jesus offers unconditional love and freedom from shame. That simple act of kindness and faith began to transform a life.
4. Multiplication Happens When Believers Are Empowered
When one believer is equipped, entire networks are impacted.
We’ve seen moms, retirees, young professionals, and students become catalysts for gospel movement—simply by living with intentionality and compassion.
At one California church, 60 members took the ETHNOS Course. They began reaching out to their Hindu and Muslim neighbors. The result? Dozens of new gospel conversations, transformed relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose in the church.
Empowering everyday believers doesn’t replace global missions—it multiplies it. It’s how we scale the gospel in an increasingly pluralistic world.
Conclusion: The Harvest Is Near. Will You Be Ready?
The Great Commission isn’t a distant dream—it’s a daily decision. And it starts with you.
If you’ve ever felt the nudge to share your faith but didn’t know how—especially with someone from another religion—now is the time to get equipped.
The nations are here. The harvest is ripe. And Jesus is still calling His people to go.
Take the Next Step
Ready to become confident and courageous in cross-faith conversations? Enroll in iHOPE Ministries’ ETHNOS Course—a powerful training that equips everyday believers to share Jesus across cultures and religions with love and respect.
