Rafat lived with his aunt, uncle and cousins in a large Middle Eastern village. Like most villages in the area, Islam was the official standard. The majority of the townspeople were nominally Muslim, including Rafat and his family. That’s why when a Bible League trained evangelist came to town sharing the Good News, he was both surprised and anxious.
Stopping in the marketplace, the worker simply introduced himself as John, and using the Injeel (the Muslim word for the New Testament), he began to share about Jesus. Rafat and his uncle were at the market, and stopped to listen. Sensing their interest, John asked Rafat's uncle to host a Bible study using Bible League study materials. "This made my uncle very nervous," says Rafat. "He feared an attack from local Muslims because of their hatred of any religion but Islam. He immediately demanded that John leave the village."
An urgent need
Rafat was charged with escorting John to the village limits. But, as he was walking with John, he felt something stir inside. He felt a need to know about the Bible. "I really didn't want him to leave," recalls Rafat. "When John stopped at another house to minister, I decided to tag along."
The house they stopped at was well-known for witchcraft and demonic worship. "I was frightened of the people who lived there, but John walked in confidently. I literally hid behind him as he shared Christ with the people and prayed for the house. As he spoke, I realized that I wanted to know and follow Jesus Christ. I knelt on the floor of that house and prayed with John to receive Jesus as Savior!” exclaims Rafat.
"I went back home and told my uncle what had happened. Eventually, my uncle agreed to let John hold Bible studies in our home because he had seen so many changes in me," says Rafat. "Our backyard has been dedicated to studying the Bible and now we are enjoying church fellowship with over 45 people that have given their heart to Christ."
