Only God Could Do This: Abdullah’s Journey from Defending Religion to Making Disciples

Names, locations, and images have been changed to protect the identity of individuals in sensitive regions.

“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”
— Exodus 18:11 (NIV)

For most of his life, Abdullah, a young Algerian man, was deeply devoted to Islam. Raised in a conservative Muslim family passionately committed to the Qur’an and strict Islamic practices, he grew up believing that his life’s greatest purpose was to defend Islam against those he considered unbelievers. His zeal was so intense that he was willing to sacrifice his own life in jihad if necessary.

But one unexpected question began to haunt him.

It was a question he could neither silence nor escape:

Who is defending whom?

He reasoned that the strong always protect the weak. A powerful person defends those who cannot defend themselves. So why did the Qur’an repeatedly call on Muslims to defend Allah and Islam? Was God somehow in need of human protection?

These thoughts overwhelmed him.

He tried desperately to silence them. At times, the struggle became so intense that he wished he could stop his own mind from thinking. The very foundation of everything he had believed began to collapse under the weight of one simple question.

One evening, exhausted after work and emotionally drained by this constant battle, Abdullah picked up the television remote simply to distract himself. As he flipped through the channels, he suddenly heard a man ask:

“You have the right to ask: Who is God? What are His attributes?”

The speaker went on to describe God as the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, the One who sees both the visible and the invisible, the all-powerful God.

Abdullah found himself unable to change the channel.

He listened…

And kept listening.

Soon he realized he was watching a Christian television program called You Have the Right to Ask, presented by the Egyptian minister Ayad Zarif. It was as if God Himself had begun answering the very questions that had consumed his heart.

Although he initially resisted the idea of learning about God through Christianity, everything changed when Jesus appeared to him in a dream and said:

“You wanted to know Me, and I have begun revealing Myself to you. Do not be afraid.”

From that moment on, Abdullah faithfully followed the program and began searching for Christians anywhere in Algeria who could answer his questions. Eventually, God led him to missionaries who discipled him. In time, he surrendered his life to Christ and was baptized.

His wife had noticed from the beginning that he was watching Christian programs. She questioned him and strongly opposed what he was doing. Yet because she deeply loved him, she listened as he shared his testimony. Little by little, her own heart was opened to Jesus, and she too chose to follow Christ and was baptized.

When her family discovered their conversion, severe persecution followed.

They pressured her relentlessly until she eventually left Abdullah and took their two children. But the persecution did not stop there. Her family burned down Abdullah’s home, pursued him, repeatedly threatened to kill him, and reported him to the authorities for apostasy and blasphemy against Islam.

Abdullah was imprisoned for a period of time before being released. However, the legal case continued, and he was officially prohibited from leaving the country.

In 2022, our ministry was introduced to Abdullah and several other believers from Muslim backgrounds through an online WhatsApp discipleship group. We began equipping them through regular online training. There were about eleven believers from different countries, and we all longed for the day when we could finally meet together face-to-face.

Yet many obstacles stood in the way.

Finding a safe location.

Some participants did not have passports.

Others—like Abdullah—were legally prohibited from traveling.

And there were significant financial challenges.

Looking back, we thank God for every obstacle because each one drove us to deeper prayer and gave us another opportunity to witness His faithfulness.

We are especially grateful for our ministry partners whose faithful prayers and generous financial support made this gathering possible.

Abdullah had recently obtained a new passport, but he knew he was still officially banned from traveling.

Nevertheless, together we chose to take a step of faith.

After much prayer, we purchased his airline ticket, trusting God to make a way.

Every moment at the airport became a prayer.

Every checkpoint.

Every passport inspection.

Every step forward.

Until we witnessed a miracle.

Abdullah passed through every security checkpoint without a single problem.

To this day, neither he nor we can explain how it happened.

But we know this:

Our God is mighty. He opens doors that no one can shut, and He faithfully watches over His children.

Today, Abdullah is one of the faithful leaders God is using powerfully throughout Algeria. He disciples believers from Muslim backgrounds across the country, facilitates Discovery Bible Study groups, and trains new believers to become disciple-makers themselves.

Almost every day, he spends hours traveling on public transportation to encourage, disciple, and equip those who are seeking to know Jesus.

Whenever he tells us about these long and exhausting journeys, he remembers how desperately he once needed someone to walk alongside him and help him discover Christ.

That memory continues to fuel his passion.

Though the travel is tiring and often dangerous, he considers it a privilege because he knows this is the mission Jesus has entrusted to him.

God transformed a man who was once willing to die defending his religion into a faithful disciple-maker who now risks everything so others can know Jesus. Truly, only God could do this.

How You Can Stand with Us and Abdullah

Your prayers and partnership are making an eternal difference. As God continues opening doors throughout Algeria, we invite you to stand with us and with Abdullah in prayer.

• Pray for God’s protection over Abdullah as he faithfully serves despite ongoing threats and persecution.

• Pray for strength, wisdom, and endurance as he travels long distances to disciple believers and equip new leaders.

• Pray for the many seekers and new followers of Christ participating in Discovery Bible Study groups, that they will grow into mature disciples who make disciples.

• Pray that God’s Kingdom will continue advancing throughout Algeria, and that many more Muslims will encounter Jesus and courageously choose to follow Him.

Thank you for faithfully standing with us. Your prayers, encouragement, and generous partnership are helping bring the hope of Christ to those who are courageously following Him—whatever the cost.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.”
— 1 Timothy 1:15–16 (NIV)

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
— 1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)