Summary

SummaryI’m Brother Shakir, and after ten years of hearing debates between my Christian and Muslim friends, I was shocked when my friend became a Christian in 2011. I struggled to accept that God could come in the flesh, but as I compared Islam’s principles to the love of God in the Bible, I found freedom and joy in Jesus 😊. Choosing Christ led to family pressure—my mother demanded “me or Christ”—but I stood firm and later saw God soften her heart ❤️. Now I share the gospel in North Africa, knowing suffering for truth is beautiful like an athlete’s discipline 🏅. I pray for believers facing economic hardship, for church maturity and unity, and for mental and physical health under the Holy Spirit’s guidance 🙏.

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For ten years, Shakir heard his Christian friend and his Muslim friend discuss, debate and argue about their different faiths. Shakir tried to ignore their discussion; he didn’t want to get involved. After all those years, Shakir was shocked when his Muslim friend told him that he had become a Christian. Shakir urged him to reconsider and return to Islam—but as his friend shared about the things that led him to follow Christ, Shakir himself began to consider that Jesus might indeed be the Way, the Truth and the Light.

Brother Shakir struggled to grasp the idea that God would come in flesh, show himself and save from sin. Comparing the principles of Islam against the Bible revealed the character of God to Shakir and the truth of God’s Word. Seeing in the Bible Christ’s personal display of God’s love ultimately led Shakir to follow Christ.

“That day I was saved,” Shakir said, “I was free, and I was really happy and filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Just like Shakir tried to sway his Muslim friend back to Islam, friends and family tried to convince him to renounce his faith. The most difficult pressure came from Shakir’s own mother. Shakir remembers her demanding, “Me or Christ. You have to choose.” Shakir did not deny Jesus.

Today, Shakir knows those he witnesses to and leads to Christ will face trials. New believers are encouraged by hearing the experiences of persecuted Christians like Shakir; their stories prepare young-in-faith Christians to stand up under pressure and persecution.

Shakir also shares how we can pray for the church in North Africa, and for his family and ministry.

During the month of December, when you make a donation to support persecuted Christians like Shakir, you will receive a FREE 2024 VOM Prayer Calendar.

#persecutedchurch #persecuted

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Time Chapters
 
00:02 Interview begins – Faith and suffering
00:30 Shakir introduced and testimony start
03:34 Moment of Salvation
05:33 Family confrontation: mother’s ultimatum
09:10 Encouraging new believers
14:07 Approach to evangelism
16:09 Ministry highs and lows
18:01 Prayer requests shared
20:20 Closing encouragement
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Voice of the Martyrs USA
The Voice of the Martyrs serves persecuted Christians in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ.  
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