REACHING THE 98%

A story from an ECMI worker in the UK

I first met Fatima* just over a year ago. A refugee from the Middle East in the UK, she had already endured trafficking, forced marriage, and domestic violence in her young 21 years. Having courageously left her abusive marriage with her baby, Fatima longed for friendship and support as she learned to parent in a new culture.

Given her past, she rejected all religion and quickly shut down any conversation about God. Nevertheless, I continued meeting her regularly, offering practical support on parenting, education, and employment. Several months later, she allowed me to pray for her before an interview — which she successfully passed. Weeks later, she phoned with something unexpected: she wanted to become a Christian. Waiting for a bus in the city centre, she wandered into a nearby church and experienced an overwhelming sense of God’s peace and love.

Though initially resistant to the gospel, God had been at work through our friendship, preparing her heart so she had a Christian friend to turn to when she was ready. Fatima now attends a fellowship for Muslim-background believers and passionately follows Jesus, even amid harassment and intimidation. Pray for ECMI workers ministering to Muslims in Europe, that many more lives will be changed by Jesus.

*Name changed to protect identity.

“God had been at work through our friendship, preparing her heart for Jesus.”