Jesus in the Buddha Belt

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Miraculous Journeys of Faith—and Failure

What if God was bigger than your box and had a unique role for you in his mission—even though you aren't perfect? Jesus in the Buddha Belt introduces four new friends from Myanmar whose surprising encounters with Jesus—and the real-life rollercoaster sagas that follow—show that God is bigger than we imagine and can use us despite our imperfections.

With unflinching honesty, a former Buddhist monk, a comfortable Christian, and two urban immigrants recount gut-wrenching battles with family, society, and their own misconceptions, risking everything to follow Jesus in the war-torn epicenter of Buddhism. These true stories pull back the curtain on racial tension, murder, betrayal—and the miraculous ways God is working among Buddhists despite them.

Ben Wilder’s riveting storytelling and two decades of on-the-ground insight make this an illuminating page-turner that will inform your prayers, deepen your faith, and help you share the gospel at home or abroad. [/DESCRIPTION] [SUBTITLE]Untold True Stories of a Mighty God and Messy Mission[/SUBTITLE][CREDIT] Ben Wilder [/CREDIT] [PAGES] 236 [/PAGES] [BINDING] Paperback [/BINDING] [PUBLISHER] William Carey Publishing [/PUBLISHER] [PUBLISHYEAR] 2025 [/PUBLISHYEAR][ENDORSEMENT2]

“Example often speaks louder than precept.” That adage is certainly proven true in Jesus in the Buddha Belt. Ben Wilder possesses a powerful gift for combining both precept and example as he shares true accounts of Christ’s transforming power in the deceptive environment of Buddhism.

Tom Elliff, DMinFormer President, International Mission Board [/ENDORSEMENT2] [ENDORSEMENT3]

Have you ever had coffee with a village-dweller who lived knowing only the desperate self-effort and idol worship of Buddhism and whose only hope for the future is coming from the teachings of spirit appeasing, saffron-robed monks? Probably not. Ben Wilder takes us into the heart of Buddhism for a deeply authentic experience with former Buddhists who have encountered true enlightenment through Jesus and have had their world turned upside down and transformed by God’s love. History is being made right now in the Buddhist world. Come have your eyes opened to both the incredible challenges and the mind-blowing miracles of God’s work in this final frontier of missions, the Buddhist Belt. My family has been serving Jesus in the Buddhist world for over fifteen years, and this book was still deeply insightful and inspiring for me. I know it will be for you too!  Pull up a chair and find a hot cup of milk tea for a window into a world you might know anything about, but as a follower of Jesus are being invited to engage.

John HoganLeader, Golden Shores Initiative Leader [/ENDORSEMENT3] [ENDORSEMENT4]

Jesus in the Buddha Belt drew me into a world both truly foreign and equally familiar. While I have served in church planting and missions for over thirty-five years, Aung, Bawi, Lin, and Tha Gyi guided me to a new place. They took me to the country of Myanmar and exposed me to the diverse geography, history, culture, peoples and religion of this foreign place. But on the familiar side these four share their stories with a humanity and vulnerability that’s New Testament like. They share fear and doubt, failure and persecution but also courage and faithfulness, victory and spiritual fruit. And through all of this, they pointed me to God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ for all the world. Their stories challenged and encouraged me and reminded me again of the Great Commission to make disciples of all peoples.

Adam JohnsonEmeritus Missionary, IMB Digital Evangelism Coach, Kavanah Media [/ENDORSEMENT4] [ENDORSEMENT5]

Ben Wilder shares compelling and convicting stories of the lives and stories of people who are very different in religion, customs, and culture, than people in the West. The book teaches the hope of Jesus’s saving and transforming grace in the modern Buddhist world. Wilder teaches how disciples of Jesus can understand a Buddhist way of thinking and culture as they come to an understanding the truth of Jesus, and learn to love them above their own culture, bias and perspectives.

Israel Martinez, MDivActs 29 Network Church Planter and Pastor Lead Pastor, Redeemer Church, Irving, TX [/ENDORSEMENT5][ENDORSEMENT6]

Having twenty years of personal experience and research in Southeast Asia, the author is a dedicated Christian missionary with a passion for evangelizing Burmese, and his remarkable storytelling ability brings readers into the heart of his journey. Through his writing, I've had the privilege of meeting Aung, Bawi, Lin, and Gyi, and witnessing their profound spiritual transformations. Ben's work shines a light on the incredible impact God is having in the Buddha Belt. Furthermore, he inspires Christians to engage in meaningful dialogue between Buddhist beliefs and Christian faith, fostering a deeper understanding of cultures, religions, and histories. His captivating writing style prepares us to pray for and share the gospel with others more effectively.

I am deeply moved and amazed! Not only is Ben gifted in writing, he is also a great narrator, able to completely bring readers into the life stories he describes, making them feel like they are there and feel the same. I firmly believe that this book will provide many valuable experiences and inspirations to Christians who are interested in evangelizing among Buddhist groups!

Rev. Luke Zhang, DMinDirector of Chinese Ministry, The Sowers International, Founder and Missionary, Europe Campus Ministry, President, The Hidden Manna Media Mission International [/ENDORSEMENT6][TOC]

Author’s Promise and Invitation

Welcome to the Buddha Belt

PART 1 AUNG’S STORY: A Buddhist Monk’s Life Takes a Supernatural Turn

Unexpected Answer

Divorce or Miracle?

Thant and the Crazy Christians

Going Deeper: Trail Guides to Jesus

PART 2 BAWI’S STORY: Conversion from Christian Tradition to The Real Jesus

Awakening

Village Fire

Love and Blindfolds

Going Deeper: Becoming Like a Buddhist (to Win Some to Jesus)

PART 3 LIN’S STORY: The Bright and Dark Side of Christian Mission in Myanmar

Adoption

Murder Plot

Inside Addiction

Going Deeper: A Prince, the Bride, and Jesus

PART 4 THA GYI’S STORY: Unprecedented Opportunity in the Urban Youth Scene

Yangon City Lights

New Friends, New Life

Something Missing

Going Deeper: Repainting the White Colonialist Jesus

Epilogue: Joining God’s Story

Appendix 1: Discussion and Prayer Guide

Appendix 2: Insights for Mission

Appendix 3: How to Use Jesusinthebuddhabelt.com

Suggestions for Further Reading

Acknowledgments

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