“Here’s a Christian,” said the man in the café as he pointed at Hatim.
The room fell silent as a TV report described a recent bombing that had targeted non-Muslims. Several Christians were killed in the attack, which the men in the café had been celebrating. But now they halted their praise and looked at Hatim, a Muslim-background follower of Jesus.
“This Christian is sitting right here among us,” the man continued. “What’s stopping us from killing him right now? We have the right to kill him.”
Threats like this are common for Hatim. His village has a reputation as a breeding ground for ISIS, and he faces a constant social pressure to return to Islam.
For several years, Hatim met with other Muslim-background believers for teaching, prayer, communion, and worship.
“The birth of this fellowship took several years,” says Tim, a Frontiers field worker who disciples Hatim.
But most of the other followers have recently bowed to the social pressure and returned to Islam.
“The fellowship fell apart very quickly,” Tim says. “It’s been quite a blow for Hatim to see other Muslim-background believers return to Islam because of the threats.”
By God’s grace, Hatim stands firm in Christ.
In the middle of the café, Hatim stood up and told the men how Jesus Christ has filled him with peace.
The next day, the leader of the local mosque visited Hatim. “Return to Islam,” the leader insisted.
“I can’t possibly return to Islam,” Hatim said. “But let me tell you about Jesus.”
Hatim shared the Gospel with confidence.
But the visit from the mosque leader left him unsettled. Hatim began hiding at night and sleeping in an abandoned house. Before falling asleep, he would read from the book of Acts.
As he read of Stephen’s courageous resolve in the face of persecution (Acts 7), Hatim realized a great truth—that persecution is simply a part of obedience to Jesus Christ.
And in persecution, Jesus remains true and faithful to us.
Praise God Hatim is finding refuge in the Word and resting in Christ’s faithfulness through persecution. He also has continued to share the Gospel boldly with others in the village.
“Hatim is now meeting with three young men who are choosing to trust in Jesus and who want to be baptized,” Tim reports.
Pray for Hatim and the new believers in his village. Ask the Lord to strengthen them and give them courage as they face persecution.
Pray that their persecutors would be drawn to Jesus Christ.
Pray for all Muslim-background believers who are facing persecution to find comfort through the Holy Spirit.
**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names have been changed for security.**
Main photo by Benson Kua
Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/article/hope-in-persecution