From a Team Expansion worker in N. Africa:
We had the privilege of baptizing Faris and his wife, Habiba, who are part of one of the Discovery Bible Study groups we have been working with. We praise God for their beautiful decision to obey Christ and declare their faith through baptism.
Faris is originally from a neighboring country. From a very young age, he had a deep desire to know God. At one point, someone gave him a Bible, and he began reading it in secret because becoming a Christian in his country carries tremendous risk. He could be imprisoned or even lose his life because of his faith.
Later, he traveled to another neighboring country, where he had the opportunity to meet with Christians and learn more about God’s Word. However, he eventually had to return to his home country, where he remained for some time until he was finally able to escape and come to the country where we serve.
Here he met Habiba, whom he later married. From the beginning, Faris shared the teachings of the Bible with her, and Habiba experienced a deep sense of peace as she heard the message of Jesus. In time, they moved to the capital, where they met one of the leaders we have been coaching alongside his family. This leader and his wife were baptized previously through our ministry.
It was through this family that Faris, Habiba, and their baby began meeting with other believers. As they learned more about Jesus, they realized that God had answered a prayer they had been praying for a long time. They had been asking Him to lead them to a Christian family who could help them grow in their faith and understand the Bible more deeply. They thanked God for leading them to this community of believers.
To God’s glory, Faris and Habiba declared their faith in Christ through baptism.
We praise the Lord for these baptisms because they represent a third generation of disciple-making. Seeing disciples making disciples encourages us to continue trusting in the work God.
Please pray for Faris, Habiba, and their baby, that they will remain strong in their faith and continue to grow spiritually. Also pray that these groups will continue multiplying so that many more people will come to know Jesus and become His disciples.
*Names have been changed for the protection of the believers in secure locations
