One man was a “good atheist” during his teenage years, as he grew up under the Communist indoctrination that dominated Mongolia for 70 years. He hadn’t heard anything about the good news of Jesus until he was 20 years old. The other man struggled with alcohol problems that threatened to ruin his life and his relations with his family. He saw 32 of his “drinking buddies” die of alcohol-related causes over the years. Now both of these men rejoice in having found new life in Jesus and they serve as pastors in the Lutheran church in Mongolia.

The former atheist is now convinced of the truth of God’s Word and he is teaching it, pastoring and giving leadership to the church body. The former slave to alcohol is now helping others to find the freedom Jesus brought to his life. He pastors four congregations and leads a ministry to help those struggling with alcohol problems. Both of them are great testimonies of how God can change lives. It was an enjoyable privilege to visit with them as my trip to Mongolia with Pastor Lyndon Korhonen has begun.