In North Africa, calling Jesus your Savior can bring unwanted consequences … persecution, arrest, and aversion from your neighbors. Youssef* knew the consequences, but he decided that following Jesus was worth more than the money he may lose from his neighbors no longer buying his goods or even the time he may spend in jail.
One man's passion for his people
Two years ago, Youssef made the difficult decision to follow Jesus after meeting an East-West national partner who travels to his North African country from a nearby nation. When the national partner finished sharing the gospel, Youssef knew immediately that he had heard the Truth for the first time in his life.
He became the first believer in his city.
Each month, he waits for the national partner to return so he can learn more about the Bible and receive encouragement. He has since been trained in evangelism and church planting so he can begin to share the message that changed his own life.
Youssef started by sharing with his family and friends. This made him an outcast in his community, yet his family not only stood by him but also became followers of Jesus. Now he, his wife, his mother-in-law, and his sister-in-law are the first house church in this city … meeting each week to worship God, pray, study God’s Word, and take the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice.
And not even persecution will keep these four, passionate believers from seeking the spiritual transformation of their community.
“It only shows a deeper level of the urgency that we as followers of Jesus have to tell more people about Him here in our country,” Youssef said. “Nothing will take away my passion for reaching my people with the Good News of the message of Jesus Christ!”
*Name changed for security purposes