More schoolgirls abducted

On 19th February, 2018, 110 Dapchi Federal Government Science and Technical College boarding school students were taken to an unknown destination without any security intervention. The North East region of Nigeria has been under the danger of adoption and Islamic terror attacks since 2014.

One Christian girl named Leah (15) was asked to accept Islam while in captivity. Because she refused to accept Islam, she was not released. After almost 5 weeks, all (except 5 who did not survive the ordeal and Leah), were released.

Passion celebrates with young Leah who, even at the point of death, defied the threat and stood her ground, maintaining and retaining her faith in Christ Jesus.

Eight students now sponsored by Passion

When Muslim students turn to Christ, Passion is faced with a dilemma. Are they left to continue on as they were or does Passion change the course of their lives forever by enabling them to receive an education which would have been inconceivable to them before their conversion.

The costs to enable the eight students to attend school/
university is considerable. For the next two terms of 2018, ie. Jan. to April and May to Aug.
the total cost will be A$1,700.00.
(The new Academic year begins in September.) To date, Passion has been unable to pay the fees for the first term of 2018.                 Please pray that funds will be forthcoming.

Another amazing story

For security reasons, we are not able to publish a photo of a new
convert named Tahir.
His parents are Muslims from a Royal family in northern Nigeria.
Here is his story as related by Rev. Ibrahim:

“Tahir received Christ in his dreams and confessed this to me when he met me in the mechanic’s workshop where he works and where Tahir’s boss repairs my car.  He heard his boss call me Pastor and eventually discovered that my name is Muhammed. He went to the far end of the workshop to talk to me. I told him how I became a Pastor. When Tahir heard my testimony, he told me that Jesus has being visiting him in his dreams for the past two years but he never had any idea how to confess this because of fear. He asked for my help to lead him to Christ and also help him face less persecution. Today I have Tahir with me serving and enjoying the fellowship of brethren. He looks forward to having a bus and becoming a commercial bus driver. This will need our collective support.”

It was a joy to hear that Tahir can read and speak English.
He is currently reading ‘Let Your Light Shine!: Christian Witness in a Muslim Context’ by John Azumah.

 

‘Angela’ our real-life prodigal daughter

We have the Bible record of a Prodigal son but Passion has the account of our first prodigal daughter. Angela, (not her real name), is a 20 year old convert we reported on in our previous Newsletter.She left our home unexpectedly on May 27, 2015. We sent messages asking our friends to pray for her soul.We are thankful unto God and all who prayed for Angela, that she surfaced in Lagos and pleaded for forgiveness. Jesus gave her no peace until she confessed her folly. We have forgiven her.We are in partnership with her church in Lagos who will move her to a Girls’ boarding school where she will be educated.  We plan for her to come to our house for holidays in December, 2015.?

Rejoice with ‘Angela’

Angela’ (not her real name) is a convert who believed Jesus through the ministry of some street preachers in Lagos.  She listened and the Holy Spirit spoke to her directly, asking her to believe Jesus because He is the Lord and the savior of the world.

When her parents spotted her speaking with these preachers, her father beat her almost to death. She was rushed to the hospital by her mother.  Even on the hospital bed, Jesus gave her an assurance that He is with her.

When she recovered and returned home, her father threaten to kill her if he later discovered that she accepted the Lord.  She had to leave home since she couldn’t refuse her conviction.  She has been moved to Passion’s rescue home and is attending a local school.

Rejoice with ‘Angela’

 

‘Angela’ (not her real name) is a convert who believed Jesus through the ministry of some street preachers in Lagos.  She listened and the Holy Spirit spoke to her directly, asking her to believe Jesus because He is the Lord and the savior of the world.

When her parents spotted her speaking with these preachers, her father beat her almost to death. She was rushed to the hospital by her mother.  Even on the hospital bed, Jesus gave her an assurance that He is with her.

When she recovered and returned home, her father threaten to kill her if he later discovered that she accepted the Lord.  She had to leave home since she couldn’t refuse her conviction.  She has been moved to Passion’s rescue home and is attending a local school..

Thank you Voice of the Martyrs

Thank you Voice of the Martyrs Australia for recently committing to help the work of Passion with a financial gift for a twelve month period.
Some recent seminar participants were grateful to be able to buy copies of an instructional book at a subsided price because of this support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the book mentioned in the above article and in the report on the Seminar held on the 26th Nov.

Samy Tanagho, an Egyptian attorney, now living in the United States, has written this scholarly book, ‘Glad News! God loves you my Muslim friend,’ to appeal to Muslims who know their Koran.  He says, “Muslims are one of the least evangelized people groups in the world and yet it is estimated that only 4% of the Western missionary force is endeavoring to reach Muslims, who comprise at least 37% of all the evangelized peoples of the world.”

Chuck Smith, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, reports that Muslims have put their faith in Christ as their Lord and Saviour after reading this book.

  • ISBN-13: 978-1884543913

.

Thank you Rev Ibrahim

More ‘Thank you Rev Ibrahim’ comments from some recent converts:

UZTAZ:
(A former prominent Islamic preacher.  See conversion story in Issue 3.)
The most convincing verse in my life is John 16: 2 -3. “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the father or me”.
Uztaz said, “When I understood this text and applied it to what I am facing for accepting Christ, I am no longer surprised. I hold on to the new faith and hope in Christ and will keep this because it is a fulfilment.”

IDRIS:
Idris is a convert who received Christ in one of our missions in April 2011 and after receiving some holistic discipleship from Passion relocated to Jos for safety. He appreciates Romans 8:28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

SHUAIBU:
Shuaibu (James) is a convert who has been with Passion since February, 2014. He is now in a Christian High School in the southern part of Kaduna state. He has this to say about what he has learnt from the bible: John 3:16 is a confirmed measure of love displayed wholly on the cross by Jesus.
He says, “Na ba da gaskiya Yesu ya mutum domin Mutane su sami ceto. (Yahaya 3:16) Kuma duk wanda bai bad a gaskiya ba zai halaka (Yahaya 3:36)”
“I believe Jesus died for all people to be saved.” (John 3:16).  “Whoever do not believe are condemned already.” (John 3:36) (translated)

ARMA’ YAU:
Another convert, Arma’ Yau, was convicted by Mark 8:36, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul?” He says in the light of this verse he no longer worries about losing his job with the Nigerian police force, his car and house. According to him, they cannot be compared with the salvation he has found in Christ.

YAHAYA:
Yahaya Mohammed believes that he never regrets knowing and believing Jesus. “My mother and siblings are alive and have not got what I have in Christ. This is my passion. I pray that they will meet salvation.”

PRAY that all of these new converts will be blessed as they celebrate Christmas, joyful in the knowledge that they are now part of His ‘forever family’..

God works in …

Passion has a new friend – an open and liberal Muslim who condemns the current Islamic radicalism in the world.  He is willing to speak objectively about the challenges of Islam.
A radio program, titled ‘Know Your Neighbour Movement’, to educate Muslims on what they have learned wrongly about Christianity, is planned. Sponsorship to pay for the airtime for this initiative is needed..

Modern day Paul?

A year ago, in Issue No.3 of the Newsletter, it was reported that an Uztaz, a prominent Islamic preacher, met Jesus in his sleep and woke up the next morning with the conviction that Jesus is Lord.

His spiritual eyes were opened to the truth and his world really was turned upside-down.  His wife’s family insisted she divorce him.

Regardless, he has remained faithful to his Lord and Master and has so immersed himself in the Scriptures that just recently, with the aid of a donated megaphone, he courageously goes out into his local community every morning, declaring that Jesus saves.  (His face is not shown to maintain anonymity.).