Jad* from the Gulf shared his testimony with Mira* on WhatsApp in late 2016. This is a translation from Arabic…

The start of a long journey

‘My story goes back four years, to the time when I started to study the Bible seriously, beginning with John’s gospel. I was amazed at what I read. It was the start of a long journey. As well as seeking to understand the Bible, I began to compare it with the Qur’an. I was looking for errors in Christianity, wanting to destroy it, not to believe in it! But I came to realise that most of the accusations that our sheikhs make against Christianity are completely false.

Fear and confusion

‘This brought me into a period of confusion, but I remembered the verse, “you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free”. I began to read books about the Christian faith, particularly the Trinity.

Two years ago, I received the Lord and light came into my life. At first, I was fearful and worried about what my family’s reaction would be if they found out. Here the punishment for leaving Islam is death. But the Lord said, “do not be afraid of those who can kill the body”. Our bodies will die in any case. So I resolved not to deny the Lord Jesus as Peter did, whatever the cost.

Ready to die for Jesus

‘When there were arguments with my family about my not attending prayers at the mosque, I would say to them indirectly that Christ was better than Muhammad. My father threatened me, but when he saw that I would not change my mind, he gave up. I was ready to be a martyr like the saints of old and go to be at the Lord’s right hand on the day of judgement. He took me to the sheikhs so they could bring me back to the “right” path, but the Lord touched my heart and all their shouting had no effect on me.

Darkness to light

‘Almost all my family reject me now, but after praying earnestly I have peace that the Lord will deliver me and that somehow I will be able to live somewhere I can practise my faith in freedom.

‘You would be amazed if I told you that I have never touched a cross and never touched a Bible. But with my own eyes I have seen the love of God and this is my story: I found the light after being in deep and seemingly impenetrable darkness.’

Praise God for this wonderful testimony and for Jad’s faithfulness, despite opposition. Pray for Jad as he walks an often-difficult path. May God give him strength and wisdom for the future, and may he be encouraged to keep persevering.

Last year, more than 80,000 people downloaded a copy of the Bible from our ministry website. It is exciting to know that many are curious to read God’s Word.

*Names changed for security.