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A persecuted Christian in the Middle East, Azad spreads the gospel

October 18, 2023 by Abigail Hart in Persecuted Christians in the Middle East

Azad was once a Muslim extremist. But a powerful encounter with Jesus would lead him to become something he never thought possible: a Bible smuggler! Browse the photos, then scroll below to read his amazing story.

A secret Bible printing press operated by persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

A secret Bible printing press operated by persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

Fresh off the printing press, these loose-leaf pages will be bound together to form a brand-new Bible—one destined for the persecuted church.

Fresh off the printing press, these loose-leaf pages will be bound together to form a brand-new Bible—one destined for the persecuted church.

This Bible will be smuggled to members of the underground church, as they work to disciple new converts and draw Muslim seekers to the truth through God’s Word.

This Bible will be smuggled to members of the underground church, as they work to disciple new converts and draw Muslim seekers to the truth through God’s Word.

The newly printed Bibles are placed into a large sack. The Bible smugglers strap the Bibles onto their backs (a heavy load weighing upwards of fifty pounds) and then they smuggle the Word across dangerous borders.

The newly printed Bibles are placed into a large sack. The Bible smugglers strap the Bibles onto their backs (a heavy load weighing upwards of fifty pounds) and then they smuggle the Word across dangerous borders.

In Ezekiel 36, verses 26-28 detail how God can miraculously transform someone from the inside out: 

” … I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone … you will be My people, and I will be your God …” 

This is Azad’s incredible testimony. You see, this faithful believer—and Bible smuggler—was formerly a radical follower of Islam! But Jesus softened his heart through a powerful dream: 

“[I dreamt] I was sitting under a tree. I felt like my shoulder or my arm was a little bit wet,“ recalls Azad. “When I touched it, it was not actually water. It was blood. When I looked up … I saw the cross with Jesus Christ. I woke up, shocked … I wanted to become a real believer …“ 

Recently, the team at Global Christian Relief traveled to an undisclosed location in the Middle East to meet with Azad and hear more about his walk with Christ. There, we sat on a rug and sipped tea together. 

Azad described the terrible persecution that would follow after he left Islam. “We had a local house in the neighborhood … and they kicked us out because we are believers,“ remarks Azad. “Islamic leaders, like the Mullahs, wanted to kill my wife and children.“ 

Still, he and his family persevered in their newfound Christian faith. Today, as a member of the underground church in the Middle East, Azad waits for the sun to set. Then, under the cloak of night, he puts on a heavy, 50-pound sack of Bibles and smuggles them across the border.  

Consider a gift of $5 today to send a Bible to our persecuted family in deepest need.

Thanks to fearless believers like Azad:

• The persecuted church can find hope and strength in the Word.
• New converts can grow in their faith as they study the Bible.
• Muslim seekers can finally learn the truth about Jesus in verses like John 3:16.

Of his risky Bible smuggling endeavors, Azad says, “All people need God’s Word—so we have to move God’s Word anywhere and everywhere. So we kindly ask for [our] brothers and sisters to pray for us …” 

We invite you, our reader, to say a special prayer of protection over Azad and his family now. 

Lord, please cover Azad, his wife and children with Your divine hedge of protection as they seek to follow You and smuggle Bibles to those in need. May Your Word spread far and wide across the Middle East and beyond. Amen.

Thank you for uniting with us in prayer as One Church and One Family, and please stay tuned for another thrilling testimony from the underground church in the Middle East. 

Please note: Azad’s name has been changed and his face has been blurred to ensure his safety and anonymity. 

About the author
Abigail Hart is a Director of Communications at Global Christian Relief. She aims to increase awareness of religious persecution by sharing compelling stories of the persecuted church in places like the Middle East. Read the latest Christian persecution stories on our website and learn more at GlobalChristianRelief.org.

You’re invited to partner with us today. A gift of $5 or more can provide spiritual nourishment and hope through God’s Word. Be the hands and feet of Jesus by sending the Bible to a persecuted believer.  Your gift today can make an eternal impact for God’s kingdom.

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