“Can you perform some ritual to make sure they’re still Muslims?” the local villagers asked the mosque leaders. Suspicion and misconceptions about the power of Jesus and baptism in His name were raising concerns in this village. As a result, concerned community members began taking children to the local mosque in hopes of preserving their Islamic-saturated culture.

Extreme devotion to the Islamic faith is standard in this Southern Eurasian community. Instead of viewing the decision to follow Christ as a choice to pursue a different belief system, Muslims in this country believe that those who follow Jesus are abandoning family, culture, and heritage. They equate Christianity to joining a religious cult. These deep-rooted misconceptions and falsehoods have resulted in believers being persecuted and increased confusion about what it means to follow Christ.

Many people, especially females, lack formal education. They only know the information people pass on to them orally. This makes it challenging to verify what they hear. “To believe something different is extremely scary for them, and they are very fearful. They have no way to research or learn on their own. To think something different is almost impossible for them,” said Martha,* an Assemblies of God World Missions global worker to Southern Eurasia. Martha and her husband, Shawn, faithfully minister by engaging in their local Muslim community, teaching English and running a missional business that employs local women.

Martha and Shawn served seven years in this country without having anyone come to Christ. However, after years of persistence, they saw visible fruit.

Maqil was a member of Shawn’s English class. Martha and Shawn use the Bible to teach English. It is the only written document that presents the village’s predominant language side by side with English. During Ramadan, an Islamic fast, Shawn and Maqil were driving to their village and discussing prayer. Completely unprompted, Maqil proclaimed “I get it now. Jesus, He’s the Savior.” Scripture had come alive to Maqil that day.

A few months later, Maqil decided to be baptized. This was a monumental decision coming from a Muslim in a Muslim village. Maqil invited Aashir, one of his four brothers, to his baptism. Aashir understood that His brother believed in Jesus but did not understand why he felt it was necessary to be baptized.

Aashir came to Shawn with questions about being baptized. Aashir believed that baptism meant that his brother was turning his back on his family, culture, and heritage, or joining a religious cult. Shawn explained that baptism was a physical representation of putting one’s faith in Jesus, that He is the Savior, and He desires to be the Savior of all people. After hearing this, Aashir began reading Scripture with Maqil and Shawn. Shortly after, Aashir chose to put his faith in Jesus.

God is also moving among the women. When Vakila was 13, she was a student in Martha’s English class. Martha and Vakila’s village is 12 miles from a large Southern Eurasian red-light district. One day a man came into the village and asked women to come with him. He wanted these women to marry his sons. Vakila’s family, with only a few cups of rice to live on, planned to give Vakila to be wed so they could afford food. Unknown to them, this was probably a sex-trafficking scheme to sell Vakila into prostitution. Martha’s knowledge of the red-light district helped her warn Vakila’s mother and convince her to keep Vakila in school. Martha now employs Vakila and other family members in her missional business. This provides Vakila’s family with the income they need without endangering her. Vakila has become a bold, outspoken witness for Christ in her community.

Martha and Shawn now have more than 50 people who attend two gatherings on Fridays and multiple gatherings throughout the week. At these gatherings, they read Scripture and proclaim Jesus. People, along with their children — who have never heard the gospel — are now hearing the good news. This fruit, however, has not come without attacks.

One of the new believers Shawn baptized began talking about his baptism with other community members. People in this community view baptism as a spell that changes the person into a new creature. The community’s misconceptions about baptism caused panic and they began threatening believers with violence.

Some believers, under threat of persecution, blamed Maqil for their newly found belief in Christ. They told villagers that he had forced them to attend these gatherings. In response, the Muslim community began prohibiting Christ-centered gatherings because of the perceived threat to their culture.

Persecution also brought financial loss to the livelihood of some believers. Some in the community began boycotting businesses because these owners believe in Jesus.

Regardless of the threat to their lives, the faithful still choose to attend – putting their faith in Christ over their fear of man. “I’m not afraid to stand for truth, and whatever happens, whatever comes our way, we’re willing to face it, because we know that this is good news and that it’s changed our lives,” said one believer.

“I’m hoping that through this new wave of threats and persecution, people will see the enemy’s plans, and that the community will see the difference between how their religion treats people and how Jesus’ community treats people,” said Martha. “Jesus’ community doesn’t force people to believe anything. It invites people to know a Savior, the One who can change their life. We don’t force anyone to read, we don’t force anyone to pray, we don’t force anyone to get baptized, but we invite people to be a part of God’s plan. God’s plan includes every person from every background and every corner of the earth."

With persecution rising, there is a great need for intercession. Pray for government leaders who use religion to divide the country, perpetuate religious discrimination, and create barriers for followers of Jesus. Pray that more laborers will respond to God’s call to serve in Southern Eurasia and its unreached people groups. Lastly, pray for the persecuted believers who are being targeted, attacked, and ridiculed for their faith. “Pray that believers will stay strong, that they will grow through this testing of their faith, that people would see that Jesus isn’t against them. We are giving people an opportunity to know our Savior, our Friend, and our Lord,” said Shawn.

*Names are pseudonyms to protect people.

By Holly A. V. Knapp