Laborers Together with God

A Testimony of Teamwork in Missions

by Josh & Bethany Furan, Serving in the border region of Northern Ireland

A City of Two Names, One Hope In the border region of Northern Ireland, where deep political and religious divisions still shape daily life, the Gospel is doing a quiet but powerful work—building up a church that reflects unity and local ownership. Our family has the privilege of serving in the city of Derry/Londonderry alongside national pastor James Wilson, and we have seen firsthand the power of teamwork in missions. Derry (as Catholics call it) or Londonderry (preferred by Protestants) is a city long marked by sectarian conflict. Most residents, whether from Catholic or Protestant backgrounds, are non-practicing in their faith and disconnected from the Gospel. Yet here, the Lord is at work—not through flashy methods or strong personalities but through patient teamwork and a shared vision for indigenous church growth.


Working Together for a Strong Local Church Two and a half years ago, God led us to begin serving with Pastor James Wilson and Derry Baptist Fellowship with the goal of helping it grow into a fully indigenous body: self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating. This is the biblical model of missions—equipping local believers to lead, serve, and multiply. When we arrived, the church with limited resources and outreach averaged about 15 in attendance. But we joined hands with the national pastor, trusting God to bring the increase. And He has! Today, average attendance has tripled and more than 70 people attend semi-regularly. Ministries for children, teens, men, and women have been launched. Tract distribution has soared from 2,500 a year to more than 50,000 annually. Local giving has quadrupled, and more members have joined and are now serving faithfully in the ministry.

The Fruit of Discipleship
One of the clearest pictures of teamwork bearing fruit came this August. For two years, we had been investing in a local teenager through the youth group and weekly Bible studies. After one youth event, he approached Josh and asked how to be born again. Josh explained the Gospel again and gave him a tract, encouraging him to read it before their next meeting. Later that week, the young man told Josh he had gone home, read through the tract, and while he was alone in his room, prayed and asked Jesus to save him from his sins. What makes his story so special is how many different people God used to bring him to that point. If it were not for the teamwork of others in the ministry, we would not have had the time to start a youth group or hold consistent Bible studies with him. On top of that, God used the testimonies of a US missions team this summer to stir his heart and show him what genuine salvation looks like. His salvation was not the result of one person’s effort but the fruit of many working together—each playing their part in God’s plan to reach one soul.

Challenges and Opportunities
While we rejoice in God’s blessings, we also recognize the challenges that remain. The larger Irish Catholic population is still difficult to reach, with many hearts hardened by sectarian history and religious tradition. Yet even in that soil, we are seeing new shoots of life. Our vision is to continue evangelizing, discipling, launching new Bible studies in unreached areas of Derry, and preparing for future church planting in nearby County Donegal. The focus remains the same: strengthen local leadership, invest in people, and see churches grow to the point where they can stand on their own and plant others.

Why Teamwork Matters
None of this would be possible without teamwork. From our sending church and supporting churches to the BIMI Home Office, to visiting teams, and—most importantly—to the national pastor, James Wilson, every step forward has been a shared effort. Pastor James has faithfully labored in Derry for more than a decade after the church was planted by another American missionary, and it is our privilege to work alongside him. Healthy Gospel work is not about one missionary or one church working alone but about God’s people serving together, each doing their part so the Gospel advances. As Paul reminded the Corinthians, So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).

A Testimony of Unity
In a city long defined by walls of division, the church is becoming a powerful testimony to unity in Christ. In Derry, there are still very few places where Catholics and Protestants gather side by side. Yet at Derry Baptist, we rejoice to see them worshiping together—not because old divisions have suddenly vanished but because the Gospel has broken down the barriers that once kept them apart. Through teamwork in the trenches—missionaries, a national pastor, local believers, and visiting missions teams—the message of Christ is not only being proclaimed but is also taking root in transformed lives. What we are witnessing in Derry/Londonderry is a living reminder that teamwork in missions is not just helpful—it is essential. And as each one faithfully does his part, God is building something that will last for eternity.

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