The following three stories are just a small example of our daily lives as we share the Gospel with the people of our country in North Africa. We are involved in following up with contacts through social media, discipling new believers, training church leaders, and planting churches in our region.
Yassine Learns about Jesus
A man named Yassine recently saw one of our advertisements on social media and contacted us to learn more about Jesus. In our conversations, it was clear that he had rejected Islam and seemed bitter and angry about the lies he had been told.
I was able to transition our conversation to discuss the truth and beauty of the Gospel. We began in the Book of Genesis with the story of creation. He was surprised to hear these details for the first time. We continued looking at the Scriptures, specifically how God saved us by the death of Christ on the cross and his resurrection.
“What you are sharing has impacted my heart,” Yassine said, “and I want to understand more and believe in Jesus.”
Recently, he sent me a picture of himself wearing a cross. In the message he asked, “Is this enough to enter the kingdom of God?”
“No, that is not sufficient,” I replied. I am continuing to follow up with Yassine to help him understand who Christ is, and how he can trust him as his Lord and Savior.
Zouhair Shares the Scriptures with Students
Zouhair is an atheist and a philosophy teacher. Through his work, he studies different religions, but he is interested in knowing more about Christianity firsthand. A mutual friend introduced me to Zouhair, so we could spend some time together.
The first time we talked, he said to me, “I know you are a Christian. My goal in calling you was to ask for a Bible, so I can give it to my students. I want them to have an open mind about other religions. I also want some of them to sit with you and hear about your beliefs.”
I prayed about this opportunity. It was a risk, since I did not know Zouhair very well, and I did not know if he would expose me as a Christ follower. Eventually, however, I decided to give him a Bible.
When I met him at a train station in his city, I was surprised to see that he was there with a group of his students. We sat together and discussed Christianity and they asked me eagerly, “Did you bring a Bible with you?”
They had several questions about the Trinity and about the authenticity of the Bible. These young men and women were so eager to learn more about Jesus and the God of the Bible. It was so refreshing for me to see a new generation in my country who are more open-minded and seeking the truth.
Jesus Appears in a Dream
Abd-Ali was searching for the truth on social media, so our team met him online. They had several discussions with this fifty-year-old man and answered many of his questions about the Trinity and the authenticity of the Bible.
Just recently, he confessed that he came to believe that Jesus is his Lord and Savior. I asked him, “What convinced you of the truth about Jesus?”
“As I read the Quran, and studied about the life of Mohammed,” Abd-Ali answered. “I never experienced or read about the love of God. When I read the Gospels, my heart was softened, and I saw the love of God in Jesus.”
While he was still searching, Abd-Ali had a dream about a man who approached him and said, “Follow me.” Still in the dream, Abd-Ali asked, “Who are you, that I should follow you?” The man answered, “I am Jesus Christ, the one you have been reading about. Follow me.”
Abd-Ali woke in the middle of the night and prayed to surrender his life to Christ.
However, in the following weeks, problems began to arise in Abd-Ali’s life. His family noticed that he no longer prayed in the mosque or read the Quran. His children and wife began to pressure him. His wife even threatened that she would divorce him. She also began to turn his children against him.
Despite this tension in his family, Abd-Ali said, “Even though I am experiencing this suspicion and rejection, I am eager to follow Jesus. I also want the same for my wife and children. I desire them to know him and follow him as well.”
“What are your plans for the future?” our team asked Abd-Ali.
“I have surrendered my life to Christ,” he said boldly. “I am confident that no matter what comes, my future is secure in his hands.”
Conclusion
It is my desire that our team will continue to grow in our efforts to share the hope of the Gospel with the people of our country, and that the Lord will use us to advance his kingdom. The people in our region are predominantly Muslims, yet many are questioning their religion. More than anything, we want to be used of the Lord to save people, and to place barriers between them and the gates of hell.
GIVE
Will you help bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the peoples of North Africa? Saleh
and his team are currently engaged in distributing Bibles to people throughout their country. To support this project, go to multiply.net/saleh-bible-distribution
