By IMB Staff
Waseem* could never be accused of lacking passion.
Having grown up in a Christian family in Pakistan, Waseem often defended his faith in heated religious debates with Muslims on the streets of Lahore. He brought his fervor with him to southern Europe, where he sought work — and more arguments about the gospel with his fellow Pakistani migrants.
Over time, God used the counsel of other Christians, and even a stint in jail, to redirect Waseem’s enthusiasm toward a biblical model for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Waseem began sharing the gospel in love, and he has trained more than 40 Christian Pakistanis in Greece to plant churches.
Patient conviction
MIGRANT CAMP— A migrant smokes a cigarette at a temporary camp in Idomeni, Greece, at the border with Macedonia. The Macedonian government has erected fences and razor wire to prevent migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries from crossing the border from Greece. (IMB Photo)
Waseem regularly goes to a local park to look for evangelism opportunities. During one such outing, he met Shakeel,* a fellow Pakistani migrant worker. Waseem shared the gospel with patient conviction, and Shakeel believed.
Three weeks later, Shakeel and Waseem were making their way to a body of water for Shakeel’s baptism. As they traveled, Shakeel’s invited friend Navrel* quietly listened to Shakeel’s testimony and Waseem’s explanation of the gospel’s goodness. By the time they reached the place of baptism, Navrel decided he, too, wanted to join Shakeel in his commitment to Christ and obedience in baptism. The two friends were baptized and have been passionate proclaimers of the gospel ever since.
Waseem continues to disciple Shakeel, as well as travel around with Christian Pakistani migrant workers, training them in evangelism as they harvest olives, oranges, or whatever is in season. God continues to use Waseem’s harnessed passion as an itinerant pastor, trainer, and laborer to reach and train Pakistanis who would otherwise be adrift in complacent Christianity or false religion.
Your part
TEMPORARY HOME—Children get a bite to eat at a temporary migrant camp at Idomeni, Greece, near the Macedonian border. When migrants go to Europe from nearby countries, it provides an opportunity for them to hear the gospel. (IMB Photo)
Your gifts through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® support Southern Baptists who are taking the gospel to migrant workers in Europe who have never heard it, and discipling them as followers of Christ. Your gifts allow Southern Baptists to live among people who are learning and growing as Christian leaders and disciple-makers. Thank you for giving.
- Pray for Waseem as he travels for weeks on end to meet laborers throughout Southern Europe to train them in evangelism and church planting.
- Pray for Shakeel to grow in faith as he assists Waseem and participates in other relief ministries where Pakistanis are ready to hear the good news.
- Pray for Navrel to stay strong in his faith as he works long hours to provide for his family.
Learn more about European Peoples. It seems impossible to reach the 99 percent of Europeans who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. Yet believers labor in joyful anticipation that the Holy Spirit will stir the hearts of Europeans once again. Find ways you can pray for Europeans now.
*Names changed
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union.
