Nigerian Christians often struggle against persecution in order to bring the love of Christ to their neighbors. Emmanuel grew up in a religion that denied Christ. Because of his upbringing, he says, “I was strongly opposed to Christianity. I despised Nigerian Christians and hated their Christ. I helped organize opposition to them and persecuted them.”Emmanuel was known by his deeds. His life was characterized by using black magic, stealing, cheating people, lying, and fornicating. Then a Christian from the Nigerian local church visited Emmanuel and told him about Jesus.
Emmanuel reacted in anger at the man. Surprisingly, the Christian returned the next day. This Nigerian believer came four times, each time sharing with Emmanuel the love of Jesus through God’s Word - the Bible.
After the last visit, Emmanuel decided to go to a nearby church to hear the truth about God. “I attended the Christian service with mixed emotions, and I was very confused,” says Emmanuel. “When the pastor stood up to preach, I was in shock. He was the same person who had come to my house and preached Christ to me. The same one! I could not believe it.”
This Christian pastor had been trained by the Bible League to do outreach in his Nigerian village. It was through his persistence in reaching out to the Church’s persecutors that Emmanuel’s mind was opened to the one true God.
Emmanuel made a decision to put his faith in Christ. “I have joined the church,” he says. “Now I can sing and clap and dance, and I have a Biblical understanding of salvation. God speaks to me through His Word. Praise the Lord!”
Many Christians in Nigeria fear for their safety and regularly experience religious conflict with their Islamic neighbors. Violence can erupt quickly. Your gifts to the Bible League help bring the Word of God to Nigeria--a country where people who openly declare faith in Christ often experience persecution. Emmanuel is just one example of a transformed life. Now, as a Christian, instead of opposing the Gospel, he works to spread the good news to others.
Read how Olekami came to Christ through the efforts of the church in Nigeria.
