Ali*, a believer in the Southern Philippines, has a remarkable story.
I come from a Muslim background. Christianity was never on my radar. Then one night, God met me in a dream, showing me a bright light and telling me to go to an unfamiliar building to me: a church.
I woke up and began searching for the building. When I found it, a youth leader greeted me and invited me in to talk. The youth leader (also from a Muslim background) had no problem answering my questions about Christianity. Eventually, I began to get a clearer picture of Jesus, the Church and what Christianity is all about. God had led me to the answers I needed.
I couldn’t ignore God’s call any longer, and I accepted Christ. But like all of us, I faced unique challenges to my faith. To return to my Muslim community as a converted Christian was very difficult—people called me “Christianized” and were disappointed in me for converting. I faced significant pressure to return to Islam.
Angry at the way I was treated, I left the church and mocked Christianity. But I soon faced another challenge: my mother was dying. As the wind blew, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against me, I rediscovered my firm foundation on Christ.
“When my mom was dying, I was shocked because I was calling on Isa Almasih (Jesus). My mother had accepted Christ before her death—her faith reminded me of God’s call. I returned to Christ, ready to serve Him once again.
Today, I serve God with more zeal and courage than ever before. My faith has been reignited, and I lead a house church with my family, building up the Christians around us and always looking to spread the gospel. Later this year, I will be leading a group of believers like me who left Islam, passing on the lessons of Christianity I have learned.
Praise God for the story he is writing in our brother, Ali.
