A Christian convert from Islam chose to stay in his community despite being opposed for his Christian witness. Abdulmasi studied the Quran in a renowned Muslim university in northern Nigeria but came to faith in Christ through dreams he had. Since giving his life to Christ, Abdulmasi has experienced opposition in his community. People in his village refuse to eat with him; he has been beaten and poisoned; and a majority of his harvest was taken by other villagers.
Read MoreA recent convert has faced backlash from her family since becoming a Christian. Vanh came to faith in Christ in January after local Christians invited her to Christmas activities. When her husband and adult children found out, they forbade her from returning to church, saying they would cut off all support for her if she did. After the next Sunday service, one of her sons angrily smashed her dishes, saying it might be her who gets smashed next time. Her children took her phone so that she would not be able to listen to Bible texts and Christian teaching, and the next day, her husband prepared divorce papers.
Read MoreHussein finds strength in community with other Christians after familial rejection for his faith. Hussein came to faith in Christ 20 years ago after experiencing him in a dream and was soon baptized. Since then, Hussein has faced opposition for his Christian faith. He was kicked out of his village, his property was taken from him and his wife left him. He has also been ridiculed by his family and isolated from his children, all of which negatively impacted Hussein’s wellbeing. “The rejection and discrimination Hussein went through resulted in some level of trauma and depression in his life,” his pastor said.
Read MoreWahid was persecuted by his family to the point of mental instability but still seeks Christ. A former Muslim, Wahid had a cousin who became a follower of Christ and shared the gospel with him. On hearing the gospel explained, Wahid became convinced of its truth and placed his trust in Christ. But when Wahid’s family discovered his conversion, they locked him inside an unused tomb, causing him to lose his sanity. When he emerged, they forced him to deny Christ, which he did and afterwards fell into a coma-like state.
Read MoreWaqas, a Christian who worked at a paper factory, was attacked at work for refusing to reject Christ. When a Muslim supervisor asked him to renounce his faith and embrace Islam as the “true religion,” Waqas responded, “I do not need to change my religion. I have the living God.” Waqas was told that if he converted, his life would be easier, but his mother encouraged him to stand firm. “You have Jesus, who is the truth and the life. Therefore, do not worry and just focus on your work,” she said.
Read MoreWhen Michelle, a college student, refused to participate in a voodoo ritual, her family abused and rejected her. On March 18, 2025, Michelle was at church when her mother and sister came in and urged her to come home. Not knowing what they wanted, Michelle left with them and went home to find her father performing an occultic ritual with a voodoo leader. The leader held a blade, covered with an allegedly magic powder to drive away a spirit of death, that he wanted to cut her with.
Read MoreBatyr is a house church leader who regularly faces persecution as he travels throughout Turkmenistan to train and encourage leaders and their small congregations. He has been followed by police, harassed, and detained several times. Government officials recently held him overnight, and guards prohibited him from answering his phone as his worried wife called repeatedly over several hours. After that incident, Batyr met with another front-line worker and shared his stress and the struggles he faces as a ministry leader with a young family.
Read MoreTuYang, a 32-year-old tribal Christian in Laos, remains firm in his faith despite persecution from his family and village. When his older brother, a police officer, found out that TuYang and his wife had come to faith in Christ in 2021, he became angry and began a campaign of persecution. He encouraged his extended family and the village to cut off TuYang, his wife and their children. Even so, TuYang and his wife have brought nine families to Christ.
Read MoreWhen a group of Christian leaders gathered for fellowship, they realized its necessity and importance. The gathering was facilitated by a local pastor, one of only two full-time pastors in the region, and composed of 13 lay leaders. Front-line workers reported that the gathering highlighted the need for more opportunities to fellowship with other Christian workers in this region of Kenya, which is dominated by Islam. “The gratitude of the teachers … after the fellowship evidenced how they critically needed such fellowships and encouragements regularly,” a front-line worker said.
Read MorePastor Gul was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison for the activity of his Christian faith. His elderly parents, brother and sisters continue to gather for worship with other Christians in their small, rented home, although the constant judgment and scrutiny from the community have created an atmosphere of anxiety and distress for them. They expressed both deep pain and joy that Gul “had been chosen by God to bear his name and bring hope and the gospel to inmates.” In a recent visit, Gul reminded his father of the story of Joseph.
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