Evidence of a Greater Author

For months, Global Gates had been praying and planning for a major outreach push in 2025 among the Unreached in Chicago. What we didn’t expect was just how many signs of God’s hand we’d encounter before we ever arrived. In the weeks leading up to our trip, stories began to surface—unexpected moments that reminded us we weren’t starting something. We were stepping into something He had already prepared.

One such moment began weeks ago through our Media to Movements project. As part of our Easter campaign to share the gospel with Afghans across North America, we ran digital ads offering a free New Testament to anyone who requested one. When a request came in from an Afghan man living in Chicago, our team was surprised—Chicago hadn’t even been part of the ad’s intended reach. We soon discovered that a team member had accidentally mistyped a California zip code. Of all places, that mistyped zip code landed in Chicago—a city already heavy on our hearts and central to our prayers and plans. What seemed like a simple typo revealed God’s hand at work, placing His Word into the hands of someone searching for truth.

Another glimpse of God’s preparation came through a Muslim-background believer (MBB) from Chicago. Over the past year, one of our missionaries residing in North Carolina had travelled to Chicago several times to connect with MBBs from North Africa. On one of those trips, he met this man—who later visited North Carolina to join in local outreach. During a stop at a nearby coffee shop, they encountered 20 North African men gathered over coffee and games. The believer from Chicago lit up—surprised to meet so many from his region, including some from his own indigenous tribe. Now, he plans to return for a longer stay in North Carolina and to join Global Gates’ efforts in Chicago.

Meanwhile, another connection began thousands of miles away in North Africa. While one of our missionaries was sharing a meal with MBBs there, a father mentioned that his adult son had recently moved to the U.S. and was eager to reach his own people but was seeking training and direction. When asked where the son lived, the answer came simply: “Chicago.” That son has since signed up to join Global Gates’ Chicago training and outreach days.

None of these stories were orchestrated by us. They came to our attention in the weeks and months leading up to our June gathering—powerful reminders that God was already at work in Chicago. So when our team of 20+ missionaries arrived—for prayer, partnership, and strategic outreach—we did so with confidence. Not in our own plans, but in God’s. Because He had already gone before us.