Bridges Across Borders: What We Witnessed on a Three-Nation Ministry Journey

Over the past several weeks, I had the privilege of traveling with Dr. Anderson, members of our clergy team, and several key leaders to three countries where God is moving in powerful and perhaps unexpected ways: Pakistan, South Korea, and Japan. Each stop on this journey revealed new dimensions of God’s heart for the nations and deepened Bridgeway’s commitment to global missions.

Pakistan: Courageous Faith in the Midst of Persecution

Our first leg took us to Pakistan, where the Bishop and his team graciously hosted us. We celebrated the graduation of literacy teachers who are transforming communities through education, witnessed incredible evangelistic gatherings where Dr. Anderson preached to over 1,200 people, and participated in the dedication of a community well that was built to provide clean water in a region where churches were burned just a few years prior. The Church of Pakistan’s spirit of forgiveness and Gracism, serving Muslims and Christians alike from the same well, was a powerful example of the gospel lived out.   

We also had the unique honor of seeing Dr. Anderson serve as a keynote speaker at the International Conference on World Religions, where he shared Gracism with an audience that was predominantly Muslim. We were also able to encourage the family of a Pakistani pastor who attends Bridgeway, along with some of his extended family members. His immediate family is facing ongoing persecution in Pakistan, and it was a privilege to visit with, pray with, and encourage them on behalf of their family here in the USA.   

Pakistan reminded us to pray fervently for the persecuted church.  

South Korea: A Deepening Partnership for Gracism and Unification  

From Pakistan, we traveled to Seoul, South Korea, where we were hosted by our friends at New Central Presbyterian Church. Dr. Anderson spoke at a conference, and our team participated through teaching, testimonies, and Q&A. Lady Amber’s testimony, her life in Korea, her move to the U.S., and her return deeply resonated with attendees. One of the most profound moments came during our visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where we prayed for the unification of North and South Korea. Standing only miles from the border, Pastor Jin realized that the North Korean town visible in the distance was where his own parents and grandparents were from. It was a sacred moment. We also had meaningful meetings with New Central’s senior pastor and staff, exploring future collaboration around Gracism, leadership development, and potential other gatherings and joint efforts in the future.   

South Korea showed us that the hunger for reconciliation, spiritual formation, and global impact is strong and that Bridgeway has a role to play.  

Japan: Encouraging a Missionary Sent From Our Own Church Family   

Our final stop brought us to Tokyo, Japan, where we visited Bridgeway’s own missionary, Ariana Winston. Ariana grew up at Bridgeway and is now serving with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Tokyo. We hope the visit brought her tremendous encouragement during a season of transition at the Tokyo base. She shared about her ministry, her language-learning journey, and her involvement in a new house church plant. We enjoyed time together, shared a memorable meal, and were blessed to support her upcoming discipleship training.   

Our visit to Japan reminded us why we send, support, and stand with those who are called and go to the mission field.  

Reflecting on the Journey   

Across three countries, in vastly different contexts, one truth became clear: God is at work in the world in ways that are both mighty and tender. From persecuted believers in Pakistan, to passionate missional leaders in South Korea, to a young missionary faithfully serving in Japan, we witnessed resilience, hope, and gospel transformation.  

Thank you, Bridgeway, for being a church that prays, sends, supports, and goes. Thank you for believing in God’s global mission and for partnering with us as we build bridges across cultures and borders.  

There is much more ahead. Let’s continue to pray, to learn, and to follow Jesus into every nation He calls us to reach.

With gratitude, Pastor Jared Sorber