Our Muslim Background Believers (MBBs) who participated in our church planting seminar as they have arrived back in their home villages and put into practice what they learned at the training weeks. On the last day, we asked them to step over a line in the sand, symbolizing their commitment to follow Jesus anew. Some of the things they mentioned:
1) Many expressed that they harbored doubts about the veracity of the Bible before they came, but the teaching of the Scripture helped them a lot.
2) Some had to deal with moral issues from their past and get those cleared up.
3) Some still have to deal with the fear of man (not surprising!—none of us Westerners can lift a candle to their courage!) and persecution.
We laid hands on and prayed for each one, and gave them a promise of Scripture in line with the name they had chosen for themselves.
Here’s some personal info on each one, from my perspective, please support these brave believers by praying for them:
- ‘Philemon’ is one of two participants still single. Pray for him and also for ‘Samson’, that God will provide the right marriage partner for them. This is very difficult in a Muslim environment, especially for Philemon. He would like to marry his girl friend (a Christian), but this is very complicated.
- ‘Samuel’ is a ‘grandfather’ in the faith, and leads 15 different house groups! He really wants to develop leaders and give responsibility to others. That will be a tremendous blessing to many!
- ‘Pontus’ (yes, he chose a name representing an area of the NT world instead of a person, but why not!) is a quiet guy who hugged us about ten times when saying good-bye. A very loving guy and a faithful trooper!
- ‘Titus’ asks for prayer because he and his wife are still childless after 3 years—a shame in their society. It would undergird his spiritual authority to be a father, if the Lord wills.
- ‘John’ is from the high class in society and has a lot of potential and a loving disposition.
- ‘Barnabas’ lives up to his name—a young guy, but a sunny disposition, and full of energy.
- ‘Timothy’ is quiet and reflective, with a lot of potential.
- ‘Nehemiah’ is older—also quiet, but a very hard worker. He stayed up until 2:30 in the morning sometimes doing study assignments! Diligent, he will be conscientious in his work—we’re sure he always has been.
- ‘Ruha’ pastors a fellowship of 9 brand new MBBs. He’s a gem (they all are!).
- ‘Simon’ is older but loves kids. He is involved primarily in children’s ministry among Muslims at home. His son would like to study at college, but not sure if that will be possible.
- ‘Philip’ looks like he’s 20, but has 4 children, and is also pastoring a brand new fellowship of MBBs. He is a business man.
- ‘David 1’ is a tailor by trade, really a likable man, and pastors one house group in his home.
- ‘Silas’ is a very bright man with a lot of potential. He repairs cell phones for a living, and is a natural leader.
- ‘David 2’ (yes, there were two Davids!) is an energetic young man who contributed a lot to the discussions. I’ll miss his energy (and wish I had it!)
- ‘Abraham’ is also very bright, and a natural leader, but with lots of love and is very considerate. I’d like to serve under his leadership, quite frankly—and the same goes for many others!
*For security reasons each participant selected a name from the Bible to use for internet and publishing purposes.*
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