After 70 years under Marxism, preceded by centuries of Buddhism, only a handful of Christian believers were known to exist in Mongolia when communism collapsed 15 years ago.

Today there are thousands of Christians and hundreds of churches, yet there are few trained church leaders.

Most Mongolians live with deep pain, resulting from centuries of spiritual darkness. SIM is there, in partnership with other ministries, seeking to prepare spiritual leaders and to offer hope through Christ.

Ariel and Connie Ceballos, from the Philippines, direct the SIM team in Mongolia. Ariel is the Dean of Students at the Union Bible Training Center (UBTC), a partner ministry in the capital city. He teaches two courses each semester and directs the dormitory for about 45 students from the countryside.

Some are from a nomadic background, used to living in gers (round ‘mobile homes’), and Ariel takes special interest in helping them build relationships with their more urban classmates.

Connie educates the three Ceballos children, helps Ariel administer the SIM office, and encourages SIM workers who serve in remote and difficult locations.

She also hosts a weekly meeting of unemployed women, offering them English and Bible teaching, and training them in cooking and family skills.

The Ceballos children are at home during the meetings, and the women learn a great deal simply from watching a Christian family in action.