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 in restricted contexts. Alternate pathways with SIM USA allow our workers 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 transformational businesses: starting up two factories, managing a language center, and working as a sales representative for a likeminded tourism agency. These legitimate roles provide real value to the community, exhibiting what it means to work with integrity, and allowing them to be salt and light to their neighbors.
As they faithfully invest in transformational business, He turns their everyday roles into opportunities to point to the Way, the Truth and the Life. 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
Over the past 8 years, Nathan has offered Robotics Clubs for youth on the weekends or during the summer break—an opportunity that is warmly welcomed by the community and creates space for building friendships while sharing the love of Christ.
Nathan’s vision for this Robotics Club has always been to encourage the youth and prepare them for their future, by giving them a chance to learn STEM skills, learn to work together in a team, and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. In addition, it’s been a great way to get to know other families in the community.
The impact of these classes often stretches beyond the students to their families. That’s how Nathan and Anna first met Hayet.
Hayet’s son was a frequent student in the program. While he participated in classes, Anna often spoke with Hayet. What started as casual conversations soon turned into a genuine friendship.
Over time, their talks often turned to deeper topics, like philosophy and faith. Hayet’s curiosity about the Christian faith began to grow. Through simple friendship, God was opening doors in ways that neither Anna nor Hayet 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 another region for work, Hayet came to visit them for two weeks in the summer.
“What do you want to do while you’re here?” Anna asked, expecting her to choose the typical tourist activities.
“I want to read together,” Hayet responded confidently.
“Well, what do you want to read?” Anna said, giving Hayet space to express exactly what she was thinking.
Hayet wanted to go through the trauma healing materials. She had heard about this before from Anna, but as a busy teacher and a widow responsible for 3 kids, she had not found the time.
“In the small town where we lived before, I don’t think Hayet felt the freedom to read together and discuss things openly. So being away from home provided an opportunity to do that. Almost every day, we met together to go through the trauma healing process, which then led to an in-depth study on Creation to Christ, propelled by her questions,” Anna said.
As we dug into Scripture together, these discussions invited reflection on God’s design, His redemptive plan, and the hope found in Jesus. This was a significant exposure to the gospel for Hayet.
“She grappled with difficult concepts, such as 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, Hayet encountered the Truth of the gospel. She experienced it’s love firsthand through the warmth and hospitality of Nathan and Anna. Their genuine friendship and care for Hayet created a safe and nurturing space where she could openly explore the gospel.
“Because of the robotics program, there was an open door for her to hear the Truth,” Anna said, reflecting on their friendship that grew naturally through a robotics club 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 Hayet to explore questions about life, faith, and hope. Nathan and Anna continue to pray that God will nurture the seeds planted in Hayet’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 the Spirit’s leading to be salt & light in North Africa, the paths to traditional ministry 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 building transformational businesses and hosting robotics clubs, 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 club. 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.