Alternate Pathways in North Africa
Nathan and Anna serve with SIM USA in North Africa. One of their main focuses here is alternate pathways—creative, professional avenues that open doors for ministry where traditional missionary work is restricted. Alternate pathways with SIM USA allows professionals to use everyday skills and platforms as bridges to build relationships and share the hope of Jesus Christ in creative access countries.
Over the years, they have been involved with various local businesses, like date sugar production, tourism, and language education. These legitimate roles provide real value to the community while building relationships that reflect Christ’s love.
As they faithfully serve God, He turns their everyday roles into opportunities to share His love. In a country closed to traditional Christian ministry, these pathways create bridges where the light of Jesus still shines bright.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
Robotics and Friendship: Sharing the Gospel in North Africa
Nathan teaches robotics classes for youth—an opportunity that is warmly welcomed by the community and creates space for building friendships while sharing the love of Christ.
“He’s done this robotics program on the weekends and in the summer with youth to offer a positive influence in their lives and give them a chance to learn STEM,” Anna said. “It’s been a great way to get to know other families in the community and to motivate the youth.”
The impact of these classes often stretches beyond the students to their families. That’s how Nathan and Anna first met Salma.
Salma’s son was a frequent student in the program. While he participated in classes, Anna often spoke with Salma. What started as casual conversations soon turned into a genuine friendship.
Over time, their talks often turned to deeper topics, like philosophy and faith. Salma’s curiosity about Jesus began to grow. Through simple friendship, God was opening doors in ways that neither Anna nor Salma could have anticipated.
“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4:3
Forming Friendships and Planting Seeds of Faith
When Nathan and Anna moved to a coastal region, they invited Salma to visit them for two weeks in the summer. On the first day of her visit, Anna asked Salma what she wanted to do, expecting her to choose the typical tourist activities.
“What do you want to do while you’re here?” Anna asked.
“I want to read with you,” Salma responded confidently.
“Well, what do you want to read?” Anna said, surprised.
Salma wanted to read Anna’s trauma healing materials, another area of ministry.
“I don’t think she felt the freedom to sit down, read together, and discuss things openly when we were in our small town before. So being at the coast together was an opportunity to do that. Almost every day, we met and went through trauma healing,” Anna said.
One section of the trauma healing readings explored the journey from creation to Christ, inviting reflection on God’s design, His redemptive plan, and the hope found in Jesus. This was a significant exposure to the gospel for Salma.
“She grappled with difficult things, like Jesus being the Son of God, the Trinity, and why Jesus had to die. She wrestled with a lot of those questions,” Anna said. “It was like an open door to talk about those things freely with her.”
During her two-week visit, Salma encountered the truth of the gospel. She experienced its love firsthand through the warmth and hospitality of Nathan and Anna. Their genuine friendship and care for Salma created a safe and nurturing space where she could openly explore the gospel.
“Just because of the robotics program, there was an open door for her to hear the truth,” Anna said, reflecting on their friendship that began so naturally with a robotics course for youth.
What began as a simple connection through the SIM USA Alternate Pathways ministry quickly evolved into meaningful conversations and moments of trust, allowing Salma to explore questions about life, faith, and hope. Nathan and Anna continue to pray that God will nurture the seeds planted in Salma’s heart during that visit and bring her to salvation.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Use Your Skills to Share the Gospel
When Nathan and Anna decided to follow Jesus to North Africa, the paths to traditional missionary work were limited. That’s where SIM USA’s Alternate Pathways program came in—a way to use everyday skills and professional expertise as bridges to the gospel. Their regular jobs and activities, like helping local businesses and hosting robotics classes, became part of a larger tapestry of ministry.
Alternate Pathways is a beautiful example of how God works in unexpected ways—even through a robotics class. Every skill, every conversation, and every act of love can point to the hope found in Jesus Christ.
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.” Isaiah 35:1-2
Connect with SIM USA today, and explore how your gifts can become bridges for the gospel. God can use your skills, experience, and career to open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Speak with a SIM USA mission coach to explore how your talents can create meaningful opportunities to share the hope of Jesus!
Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.
Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.