Ever Heard of Backseat Evangelism?

Introduction

This is The Thread: AIRO’s monthly missions-focused newsletter.

Ramadan begins in just one week, meaning billions of Muslims are preparing for a month of fasting and prayer. For many of our missionary partners, this month will feel different. Their neighborhoods will quiet down. Shops will close. Friends’ focus will change.

That’s why today’s Thread is centered around them. We want to lift up our missionary partners and the millions of Muslims around them getting ready for Ramadan this month. Here’s what to expect in today’s Thread:

📖 Ever shared Jesus from the backseat?
🙏 How you can pray for Ramadan
📅 Happenings at AIRO.

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Ever heard of backseat evangelism?

Sam and Emma Scott are missionary partners in Northeast Africa. Through various business operations, God has brought the Scotts frequent opportunities to reach people in their community with the gospel! Many of these opportunities are regular and often expected. Others, they never see coming.

Emma recently started a Bible study with Eshe*, one of her local Muslim friends. Eshe had heard Biblical truth from believers in years past, though Jesus remained a stranger to her. But since Emma began studying the Word with her, there was a renewed interest in sin, sacrifice, and forgiveness. 

Naturally, these topics raised questions in Eshe. She wanted to know what Jesus had to say about them! The spark was lit in real-time as Eshe connected truth from the past to what she was learning in the moment!

You’ve probably figured it out by now: this was a gospel opportunity Emma prayed for, even saw coming. But it doesn’t always look like that. 

Emma recently found herself riding in the back of an Uber, which was nothing unusual for her. But something about this ride — the driver specifically — felt different.

That feeling led Emma to start a conversation about faith with her driver. Turns out, he’d just finished reading the gospel of John! He wanted to know more about what Christians believe. 

She couldn’t wait to tell him.

Emma shared the Sermon on the Mount with her driver from the backseat of his car, encouraging him to seek Jesus’ teachings on fasting and prayer (two topics central to Ramadan). She is hopeful that Jesus will reveal himself to this man, even with Ramadan around the corner. 

Regarding the feeling she had in the car, Emma shared this with us:

“I can’t say that I feel this way often in my conversations with drivers – but as I sat with him I just felt such faith that he will discover that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. How glorious it would be to see him among the multitudes around the Throne!”

Gospel opportunities like these make the difference in eternity. Just like in Collin and Ella Mitchells’ story last month, God uses everything. Bible studies, Uber rides, Ramadan, He is in control of it all! Today, we invite you to pray to this end: Ask that God would reveal himself to our Muslim neighbors worldwide this Ramadan in ways unexpected and unseen. 

Your partnership makes stories like this possible, %firstName%. Thank you for supporting the Scotts and 150+ missionary partners just like them. Together, we’re making a difference for His Kingdom, forever. 

*name changed for security purposes

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At its core, Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, and seeking God. It’s estimated over 2 billion Muslims around the world will observe Ramadan. This will drastically shift life for international believers and missionary partners living in community with them. 

As a community, we invite you to join us as we pray during Ramadan. We’re praying for our Muslim-background believing brothers and sisters, missionary partners serving in Islamic people groups, and the many people who will seek God over the next month.

Here are four ways you can pray for Ramadan today. 

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Happenings at AIRO.

💚 May is for Missions
You might remember from last year, but we like to make the month of May all about missions. Why? Because we all have a role to play in the Great Commission! Goer? Maybe. Sender? Absolutely. This is what May is for Missions is all about! If you’re interested in joining us as an ambassador this May, click here to fill out an interest form.

🙏 Quarterly Prayer Calls
Every quarter our community comes together to pray for our missionary partners + the unreached they serve. It’s a really rich 30 minutes. 
We’ve scheduled two calls this quarter so you can pick whichever best fits your schedule.

Wednesday, April 16 | 8:30 AM (PT) or Thursday, April 17 | 11:00 AM (PT)

🗓️ Purposeful Generosity Workshop
Join us on March 4th, 2025 at 4 PM (PT) for a Purposeful Generosity Workshop with our Board Member and Financial Advisor, David Krake. He brings years of experience in both strategic giving and Christian generosity, so you can be purposeful today and in your legacy. Attendees also get a chance to book a 1-on-1 consultation with seasoned financial advisors!