02/02/2019 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – In October, ICC traveled to Uganda on an exploratory trip to meet, pray with, and decide how to assist persecuted believers there. In this small, mostly Christian nation, many Christians suffer for their faith. The number of cases is small, but striking, as Muslim communities attack and persecute those who leave Islam for Christianity.
During our trip, we met with more than 20 individuals and families who have been severely affected by persecution. We had the privilege of sitting with a pastor who shared his story with us.
He is a former imam, who converted to Christianity in 2003 after attending an interfaith debate, where he was convicted of his sins and put his trust in Christ. Prior to his conversion, he studied Islamic law at the Islamic University in Uganda. “During my time as a seasoned Islamic teacher and debater, I won many Christians to Islam and got countrywide recognition because of my wit. But I am not proud about that. I am a changed man and I love Christ and the work of encouraging converts from Islam that he has called me to do.”
ICC visited him at his small office where he runs a shelter for Muslim-background believers. “My family and relatives set my house on fire after learning that I had received Jesus Christ. Family and community intimidation forced me to seek refuge with my wife and child at a mission center for four years. After that, we settled in Parisa, where I began evangelism and ministry to converts from Islam. I started receiving death threats again, and after only three years, I have survived five attempts of assassination and three attempts of food poisoning,” he recounted.
In 2012, he started a rescue center to support Christian converts. Sadly, this first center was closed when he was falsely accused by the local community and arrested. After the case was thrown out, he moved to another predominantly Muslim area in 2014. Here, he started another school to help children learn the Gospel.
Stay tuned for Part 2, coming tomorrow.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org
