Prayer and Perseverance Help Pakistan’s Secret Christians

We parked the car beside a gray-block building on a dusty road in central east Pakistan. We’re with Kashif, a young man around 30 years old, who covertly disciples Muslim seekers. Kashif isn’t his real name, and we must hide some details about his life or he could be in danger with the authorities. In fact, as a Christian from a Muslim background, much of Kashif’s life is lived in secret

Christians in Pakistan are a small minority, making up only about 2% of the population. Despite their small numbers, Pakistan's secret Christians have faced significant persecution from extremist groups – and Christians from a Muslim background suffer the most. The government also has been criticized for failing to protect religious minorities and for enforcing blasphemy laws that have been used to target Christians.

The Cloud of Blasphemy

The country's laws allow for freedom of religion, but the reality on the ground is different. Christians often are discriminated against in education, employment, and housing – and sometimes even face violence and harassment from extremist groups.

Like Kashif, most Christians from a Muslim background in Pakistan fear backlash for their faith. Pakistan's secret Christians often keep their faith identity hidden because, to most of the population, they are considered kafir, or infidels, for leaving Islam. According to the law, anyone declared guilty of blasphemy will receive the death penalty. If someone discovers Kashif’s hidden faith, it could cost him his freedom and possibly even his life.

The fear of blasphemy is palpable.

Most of the Christians we speak with in private won’t even say the word “Muslim.” They often use another descriptor like “the majority religion” or “the other religion” for fear of being overheard and targeted.   

Finding Faith

Despite the challenges, Kashif remains committed to his faith and believes his journey has strengthened him. When we enter his small home, Kashif offers us coffee and oranges. “Pakistani oranges are the best,” he says, smiling.

As a child, Kashif was sent to the mosque to learn the Quran, as is typical in Muslim families. Kashif recalls spending two to three hours daily, both morning and evening, learning about the religion. He learned how to read Arabic and the translation of the Quran. Islam was his life. However, he always felt like something was missing.

Growing up, Kashif had heard only negative things about Christians in Pakistan. They were referred to as "untouchable." If a Muslim touched a Christian, they would become unholy. The fear of being an outcast among his own people kept him from exploring other religions – until he came across the name of Jesus Christ.

He was on Facebook and saw an image of Jesus on the cross. He was astonished. Who was this person? Why was he on a cross? He had never heard of Jesus before. Kashif decided to ask the imam at his mosque about what he’d seen.

“Meet me personally in my office,” the imam said.  When Kashif asked him about Jesus, the imam got angry. “Why are you asking about him? Who told you about Jesus?” the imam said. “You will be cut off from Islam if you meet with Christians.”

Kashif left the imam’s office without the answer he was looking for, but he was still determined to find out more about the man he saw on the cross.

Later, Kashif saw Jesus in a dream. “I had a dream where Jesus appeared to me in my room while I was sleeping. Light filled my room. I woke up suddenly and began to cry,” Kashif shares. That was the first time Kashif prayed to Jesus. Then he made friends with a Christian pastor on Facebook who discipled him, told him more about everything he was reading, and explained the Gospel. It was then that Kashif began to read the Bible for himself.  A few years later, he gave his life to Jesus completely.

But he knew it would be difficult.

Counting the Cost

When his parents found out about his faith, they were angry. Kashif was forced to leave his home, and his father took all the money in Kashif’s account – he was cut off from all his savings. The next period of his life was spent on the streets.

“I only had a few hundred rupees when I left my home. I was living in a roadside shelter. That was a difficult time for me. It was horrible,” Kashif says.

Kashif has tried many times to change his documentation to show that he’s a Christian and not a Muslim, but the authorities refuse to change it. “It’s very difficult, maybe impossible,” he says. Because of this, he must stay in hiding. He moved to a new city and kept very few acquaintances. If someone were to find out that Kashif is a documented Muslim who is now a practicing Christian, they could easily turn him in to the authorities for blasphemy. 

Kashif no longer has regular contact with his parents. He has lost so much and often feels alone, but looking back, Kashif says God was with him at every step. “He had a plan for me,” he adds.

Hidden but Powerful

Today, Kashif still lives a hidden life, but through one of our partners, he’s found community, support and a purpose – sharing the love of Christ with Muslim seekers on social media every day. A big smile spreads across his face when we ask him about his work. “I have so many interesting stories; hundreds of people talk to me daily through social media,” he shares. “We have to be ready, and I’m ready to share Jesus with anyone, but I use wisdom.”

Coming out of Islam, Kashif knows exactly what to share with those who have deep questions about Jesus, the Bible, and eternal life. In many ways, his story has come full circle. He discovered Jesus on social media and found a Christian pastor who discipled him, and today Kashif has become an internet pastor.

“I have many stories of individuals coming to know Jesus and sharing the Gospel with their families,” he says.

As he carries out his mission to share the love of Christ, Kashif hopes more people will come to know Jesus and experience the peace he has found in his own life. He also hopes his country will continue to develop and become more accepting of all religions and beliefs. But his biggest prayer is for his small village. “Most of the people in my hometown have never even heard the name of Jesus,” Kashif says.

This is when Kashif begins to get emotional. Tears fill his eyes.

“I want the people of my tribe to hear about Jesus Christ because when I was young, I never heard the name of Jesus. The people of my village are dying without knowing Him or even hearing His name,” Kashif adds.

Kashif represents millions of secret believers across the Muslim world today who have left homes, families, and communities to follow Jesus. Pakistan's secret Christians – much like persecuted believers around the world – need urgent support, spiritual guidance, and prayer. They need to know they’re not alone. Give today to help provide discipleship training, Bibles, micro-loans, food relief, medical care, church planting and emergency support to Christians in Pakistan and around the world.