Before we go. Before we speak. Before we plant churches among the unreached…

We abide.

This past month our Live Dead community leaned into the first core value: Abide — remaining in Jesus, staying close to His voice, and building a life rooted in His presence.

Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to strategize first. He told them to stay connected to Him.

“Apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Abiding is not passive. It’s not just quiet time or a good worship playlist. It’s a daily choice to return our attention to Jesus — in the car, between classes, during lunch breaks, in moments of stress, and in conversations with friends. It’s learning to carry His presence into ordinary life.

The Fruit of Abiding on the Field

Here is an update we received this past month from one of our Live Dead teams: 

“This weekend, my teammate and I went to a food court to have an intentional conversation. We struck up a conversation in English with a young Chinese businesswoman, Lin (name changed), who was only there for the week and was heading to the airport to fly home. We asked Lin about her experience in our city, and she told us how she and her companions got lost on the Metro the night before. No one in her group spoke the local language and the Metro system is confusing — even for the locals! A local woman noticed their plight and happened to be a translator who spoke fluent Chinese. The lady went out of her way to accompany them on the 40-minute journey back to their hotel!

“That’s a miracle!” I told Lin. “I think God sent her to help you!” And just then the verse, “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matt. 7:12) popped into my mind. I quoted this verse to Lin and said, “That’s what this lady did for you.” Lin’s eyes immediately lit up as she said, “Yes! She sent me the same Bible verse!” Lin then pulled out her phone and showed us the text messages she’d been exchanging with this lady. My jaw dropped — in telling Lin why she helped her, the lady had written that exact same verse in both English and Chinese!

We asked Lin if she’d ever read the Bible, and she answered that she owns one but has never opened it. I told Lin that it was Jesus who gave us that command and demonstrated that same kindness to all people. And the kindest thing He ever did for us was to give His life for us and then rise again, defeating death, so that everyone who believes in Him can have eternal life. Almost as soon as I finished speaking, Lin’s companions stood up to signal it was time to go. By the grace of God, we managed to share the good news with Lin in just the nick of time!”

This is the fruit of abiding: When we stay close to Jesus, the gospel naturally flows into everyday life. For this team, abiding simply meant being present and obedient — and God used it to confirm what another believer had already shared. 

One woman. 

Multiple voices. 

One Savior.

Abiding Fuels the Mission

Live Dead exists to see churches planted among the unreached. But church planting doesn’t start in a strategy meeting — it starts in the secret place.

Abiding forms:

• Hearts that love Jesus more than comfort
• Ears that recognize the Spirit’s voice
• Lives that overflow with the gospel naturally

When we abide, obedience becomes less about striving and more about responding.

Many of the stories we celebrate from the nations begin long before a plane ticket. They begin with someone who learned to sit with Jesus, hear His heart, and say “yes” in small, unseen moments.

That’s how workers are formed.
That’s how the mission moves forward.

Looking Ahead

As we move into this month, we shift from abiding to the next core value: Character.

Because staying close to Jesus doesn’t just change our schedule — it changes who we are. And the world doesn’t just need gifted workers. It needs godly ones.