MY ACCOUNT
The afternoon sun beats down mercilessly on the abandoned schoolroom in Chad, where Zayd sits with the quiet confidence of a man who has counted the cost and found it worthwhile.
At 35, this Christian soldier in Chad carries himself with the bearing of someone accustomed to both military discipline and divine calling. His weathered hands rest calmly on the wooden desk as he prepares to share a story that began with childhood beatings and blossomed into unshakeable faith.
"When I was a little boy, I used to go to the Quranic school, but they hit me," he recalls, his voice steady despite the weight of memory. "I got angry, frustrated, and I was asking myself, 'What kind of God can treat bad children like this?'"
It was in that moment of questioning, at the intersection of pain and wonder, that a young Muslim boy first glimpsed a different path.
Chad's religious landscape reflects the complex tensions that define much of sub-Saharan Africa. In this nation of 18.5 million, where Muslims comprise roughly 55% of the population and Christians about 40%, conversion between faiths carries profound social and familial consequences.
For those who leave Islam to follow Christ – the secret believers that organizations like Global Christian Relief support – the stakes extend far beyond personal conviction.
The country's placement on early warning lists for mass atrocities underscores the precarious position of religious minorities. Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa Province operate in border regions, while traditional family structures often view religious conversion as betrayal worthy of complete rejection.
Yet it's precisely in this crucible of opposition that some of the most remarkable testimonies of faith emerge. According to mission organizations working across the region, Muslim-background believers face systematic ostracism that can include loss of inheritance, employment, housing, and family relationships. The social fabric that once provided identity and security unravels completely, leaving converts to rebuild their lives from nothing. For many, the cost proves too high.
For others, like Zayd, it becomes the foundation of an unshakeable testimony.
Zayd's journey from questioning child to committed evangelist unfolded over decades. After years of attending Sunday school without truly understanding its meaning, he made his definitive choice in 2008.
"I gave my life to Jesus Christ," he states simply, as if the magnitude of that decision speaks for itself.
The response from his family was swift and brutal.
"When my family heard that outside, they got angry," he remembers. "They told me to get out of the family because I am a Christian. Even when we were going to eat, they kept me alone because I am a Christian, so I do not deserve to eat with them."
The isolation extended beyond mealtimes. When Zayd returned from work one day, he discovered all his belongings piled outside the family home – a clear message he was no longer welcome.
His reaction reveals the depth of his transformation: "When I saw that, I started to laugh. I said, 'All that stuff is only for this world. I am looking for the Kingdom of God.'"
This wasn't bravado masking pain, but genuine joy rooted in eternal perspective. "At the moment that I believed in Jesus, I knew that Jesus was inside my heart," he explains. "The first thing I learned is not to turn bad to bad, but to turn good from bad. That's what I learned, and I did the same thing with my family."
Choosing a Diffferent Path
Rather than responding with bitterness, this Christian soldier in Chad chose a different path. He began visiting family members individually when traveling to N'Djamena, the capital, demonstrating love despite their rejection. The breakthrough came during a training session when he approached his father directly.
"Father, please, I came here to ask forgiveness," he told him. When his father questioned what wrong Zayd had done, the son replied, "Because one day you told me that as I am Christian, I am not your son anymore. You got frustrated with me and angry against me, so I cannot forgive you."
The confrontation moved Zayd's brother to tears. "Why father? This is also my brother. Why do you treat him like this?"
The emotional scene led to a gradual restoration. Today, family members call Zayd for advice and consider him a leader, though the full reconciliation remains incomplete.
Now serving as both a soldier and an evangelist, Zayd has found his calling in sharing the Gospel that transformed his life. His military position provides unique opportunities for witness.
"When we have meetings, I say to them, 'Bible says, don't take from someone by force. Be right and don't intimidate with fear,'" he recounts. His colleagues, impressed by his integrity, often ask about the source of his wisdom.The risks are real.
"When I started speaking, lots of people injured me," he acknowledges. "And when they injured me, I just laughed."
His response consistently disarms opposition and opens conversations. "They say, 'What you're telling is true? Your word is good news.'"
Some believe but remain afraid to openly follow Christ. "Some of them believe that the Bible is God's Word, and they believe in Jesus, but they can't go to church because they are afraid," Zayd explains. In Muslim families, the shame associated with following Jesus creates a barrier that many cannot overcome.
Yet Zayd's boldness continues to bear fruit."
Everybody knows I am Christian," he states matter-of-factly. As a Christian soldier in Chad, his transparency has led to conversations across the country and beyond, as he travels wherever there are people who need to hear the Gospel.
For someone who lost everything to follow Jesus, Zayd's vision remains remarkably expansive. When asked about his hopes for the future, his answer reflects the heart of an evangelist: "My desire is to see everywhere believers in Christ."
We at Global Christian Relief work with local partners to support believers like Zayd who face persecution for their faith. Through Bible distribution, discipleship resources, and emergency assistance, we help strengthen the church in the world's most challenging places. For just $25, we can provide a month of support for a persecuted believer, helping them stand firm in their faith despite opposition.
Zayd's story represents thousands of similar testimonies across Chad and throughout the Muslim world. These believers need prayer for wisdom, protection, and opportunities to share their faith safely. They also need practical support – transportation for evangelistic trips, resources for their families, and connections with other believers who understand their journey.
To those considering following Christ despite the cost, Zayd offers this: "I encourage the other brothers and sisters not to be afraid to trust God. God is always present with His children."
His family offered him money and even arranged a marriage to entice him back to Islam, but he refused. The joy he has found in Christ far exceeds any earthly compensation.
Looking back on his decision to follow Jesus despite losing his family, inheritance, and social standing, Zayd's response is unequivocal: "I never regret my decision. Never. Even with all the challenges, I never asked myself, 'Why did you become a Christian?' Never."
In a world where faith often comes at great cost, Zayd's story illuminates a profound truth: Sometimes the most powerful testimonies emerge not from comfort, but from the crucible of sacrifice. His laughter in the face of rejection, his love toward those who wounded him, and his unwavering commitment to sharing the Gospel reveal the transformative power of authentic faith.
For believers in the West, Zayd's story as a Christian soldier in Chad serves as both inspiration and challenge – a reminder that the gospel's power to transform lives remains as potent today as it was 2,000 years ago, even when following Christ means losing everything else.
Stand with believers who risk everything for Christ. Join the Movement. Support Persecuted Believers Monthly.
Zayd lost his family, his inheritance, and his place in society – but he gained something far greater: unshakeable faith and a calling to share the Gospel. Believers like Zayd face daily opposition, yet they refuse to compromise. As a Frontline Partner, you become part of their story. Your monthly gift provides discipleship resources, emergency assistance, and the practical support these courageous believers need to stand firm. Together, we strengthen the global persecuted church – one partnership at a time.
