Akeem knew the English center would close soon, but he remained in his seat and double-checked his notes anyway. He worked as a professor at a local college, but in order to be considered for a position at an even better university in the city, he needed to improve his foreign language skills.
When he finished reviewing his work from the class, he stowed his laptop into his briefcase and headed for the door.
“Akeem, wait a moment.” Simon, one of his tutors, hurried out of the office. “I was about to go to dinner. Would you like to join me?”
Akeem quickly agreed. The American seemed like a good man, but more importantly, he was a skilled teacher and knowledgeable about many topics. Sharing a meal with Simon would only help Akeem reach his goals sooner.
“I’ve always been interested in Jesus. He fascinates me.”
They walked to a restaurant around the corner, and as they waited for their meals, they took turns sharing about their backgrounds. When Simon mentioned Jesus, Akeem leaned forward.
“You’re a follower of Jesus?”
“I am.” Simon tilted his head. “Are you?”
Akeem chuckled. “No, I am Muslim, but I’ve always been interested in Jesus. He fascinates me.”
They met for dinner a few more times before Simon invited Akeem to study the Bible with him at his home. Akeem eagerly agreed. “I’d like that very much.”
Akeem admired his faith and began seeing the wisdom in following Jesus.
One week, they read about Ibrahim, an account Akeem knew well. Each year, he observed Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, a three-day celebration to honor Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Simon explained how the story related to Jesus.
Akeem listened intently, then asked Simon several questions.
During their next few meetings, Simon continued to share about sacrifices in the Bible, always referring to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. One day, Simon asked Akeem if he wanted to follow Jesus and trust Him as Lord, but Akeem still wanted more information.
Akeem asked questions every week, but Simon never seemed to tire of answering them. He knew what the Bible said and spoke confidently. Akeem admired his faith and began seeing the wisdom in following Jesus.
His devotion to God’s Word would ultimately lead him closer to Christ.
One night, after months of studying sacrifice, they discussed at length how Jesus was God’s plan for salvation from the beginning. Simon ended their time together with a series of questions.
“Do you believe God made a way for you to come close to Him? Do you believe Jesus’ sacrifice can take away your sin and your shame? Do you believe Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us?”
Akeem responded, “Yes. I believe all those things.” It finally made sense. He didn’t need more information about Jesus. He needed Jesus Himself.
Simon grinned. “You know what I’m going to ask next. Do you want to follow Christ?”
Akeem nodded. “I’m ready to follow Him as my Lord.” He harbored no more doubts, except in himself. “Can you pray first, so I know what to say?”
After that wonderful night, Akeem quickly learned that his new knowledge was only the beginning of a lifelong pursuit. He was happy to continue studying with Simon though. It was always time well spent.
His devotion to God’s Word would ultimately lead him closer to Christ, and there was nowhere else Akeem wanted to be.
Pray:
- Praise God for revealing the truth through His Word to Muslims like Akeem.
- Pray that new Muslim-background believers will continue to learn what it means to follow Christ each day.
- Pray that Frontiers field workers will keep growing in their ability to teach the Word skillfully and patiently.