Syria is home to a group of devoted Christian leaders who have dedicated their lives to spreading the Gospel, building communities, and serving amidst adversity. Despite the challenges posed by political turmoil, economic hardships, and religious opposition, these individuals continue to inspire change and hope. Here, we highlight the stories of four such ChangeMakers: Elias N., Maher S., Mazen H., and Naameh S.

In global missions, we often celebrate the fruit—churches planted, believers baptized, lives transformed. But every harvest begins with soil, seed, and sweat. The reality is that gospel work among the nations almost always begins from scratch. Missionaries enter with empty hands and full hearts, building from the ground up in foreign soil, often with nothing but a burden from God and the power of the Spirit.

When God calls, we often begin with a simple “yes.” For Pastors David Perez and Juren Mamon, that “yes” became the first step toward a bold mission: taking the Gospel to Cambodia. What began as a short-term exposure trip soon became a clear and compelling call to build something from the ground up: a Christ-centered ministry among one of Asia Pacific’s spiritually hungry nations.

In the heart of Southeast Asia, a quiet yet powerful movement is unfolding—one that reflects the commitment of ChangeMaker missionaries and the power of the Gospel. Vietnam, a country often perceived as closed and cautious toward religious outreach, is slowly but surely becoming fertile ground for church planting and disciple-making—thanks in part to the faithful work of Filipino missionaries like Heinrich and May, and their partnership with local Vietnamese leaders like Pastor Thong.