Both Ahmed and Khadija came to faith in Jesus in Danmark through Christian media work. Their faith journey from Islam to the Christian faith was long. Already in North Africa, they were asking questions about Islam and Christianity. Ahmed wanted answers to questions that were taboo in his home country.
In Danmark, they communicated freely on the internet with Christians. After three years, Ahmed discovered the God of love, who loves everyone and even gives us love for our enemies. This was really big for him, because why and how can you love your enemies? He discovered that it is only possible because of Jesus' death on the cross for us while we were still enemies of God, he says.
God met Khadija through dreams
Khadija, a practicing Muslim, began researching the Christian and Muslim faith on Christian and Muslim media. God began to speak to her in dreams. She fought back and rejected the dreams for a while. In one dream, she was in the outer darkness, in the realm of the dead. She saw a luminous hand reach down to her to lift her out of the darkness. She woke up and turned on the TV. An Arab Christian priest appeared on the screen and said: "You were in darkness, you were dead, but God has made you alive. He has stretched out his hand and lifted you out of darkness and into his wonderful kingdom." That's when Khadija realized that God was really there for her.
In another dream, she saw a light and a small door that was the way into heaven. A voice said: Say: Jesus of Nazareth and the door shall be opened to you. "I said the name of Jesus, and I came in. Here I met an angel who said: You will have a new name. I was allowed to see heaven and then I woke up. Only later did I realize that Jesus is the door. And that those who hear his voice enter through the door. Then I decided never to let go of Jesus, but to follow him!"
In another dream she saw a light and a small door that was the way into heaven. A voice said: Say: Jesus of Nazareth and the door shall be opened to you. "I said the name of Jesus and I entered. I was allowed to see heaven. - Khadija
Social media reaches people who have never heard of Jesus
Now, Ahmed and Khadija, with the support of Danish European Mission donors, work full-time to spread the gospel in North Africa through media and reach thousands of people.
"We are convinced that social media is God's open door in North Africa. There is growth in areas where there has not been growth before. I have no doubt that many are coming to faith through media missions in the Muslim world." Ahmed says.
In the past, it was difficult to get information about the Christian faith in North Africa. Today, information about Jesus is available to millions of people on the internet.
We have ongoing communication with 150 North Africans. We help with teaching, prayer and discipleship training so that small church communities are established. Here they can grow in their faith in Jesus and persevere despite the fear of authorities and persecution from family or community.
Many in Danmark think that Muslims are hard and not receptive to the Gospel. What is your experience?
Not all Muslims are tough, and many thirst for God's love! When it's difficult, it's often because Muslims have a wrong image of Christians and Christianity as something immoral. They think the sexual morality and drinking culture they see in Danish movies is an expression of Christianity. Many question what the Christian faith is.
What should we pray for you and North Africa?
- Pray for more workers for the great harvest that awaits in North Africa.
- Pray for boldness for the North African church to share Jesus with others. Ask God to send you to North Africa during your vacation to pray for the country and to meet the hospitable North Africans so they can hear about Jesus if possible.
The interview stops because there are North African men and women waiting for Ahmed and Khadija - so they can get answers to their questions about the Christian faith.
