False Allegations Lead to Finding the Gospel.

“”I was looking for a visa for Europe, but God gave me one for heaven,” says 23-year-old Algerian, Amir.”

Amir, like so many others in Algeria, dreamt of immigrating to Europe, to find work and a better life. So when he came across and article reporting on a church that was being investigated for supposedly offering visas and money to Algerians, so long as they converted to Christianity, Amir thought all his dreams had come true. ” …. When I read the information published in the newspaper, accusing the church of seducing people with money and visas to convert to Christianity, I jumped at the chance,” he explained.

Amir did an internet search in order to find a church, and  after exchanging emails, was eventually invited by a believer to attend a Christmas day service at his church. Amir believed this was his chance to gain a visa.

“”When I went with this believer to church on Christmas day, I was surprised by the large number of Christians who were there. I had not seen such a gathering before. After worship, I became acquainted with a few of these Christians and officials of the church. Nobody spoke about a visa or offered me money. For my part, I did not ask for anything. On the contrary, I continued to attend this church and to read the Bible. I started really thinking about God. I found answers to questions that I had about God. This changed my perception of things. …. I observed Ramadan and Muslim prayers, but it did not give me peace. However, in reading the Bible, I discovered a God of love. I ended up accepting Christ into my life. I experienced real peace, and my soul felt full after this meeting with Jesus Christ,”

Amir continued speaking: “Some time after my conversion, I confessed to the pastor that I was actually seeking a visa for Europe when I came to the church for the first time. He explained to me that one cannot buy one’s salvation and relationship with God with money or a visa. Jesus Christ paid all to reconcile us to God. Everything that has been reported in newspapers is false,” he added. “I was looking for a visa for Europe, but God gave me one for heaven.”

Today, Amir is no longer looking to flee Algeria, but he wants to stay there to testify to his friends what Jesus Christ has done in his life.

• Pray for the Algerian Church as it often has false allegations spoken against it, in order to discredit Christianity. Pray that it will witness with integrity to the Truth of the Gospel.
• Pray for Authorities to allow freedom for Christians to worship and share the Gospel without fear.
• Pray for young Algerian Christians  like Amir, that their faith will grow and deepen, and the testimony of Jesus will lead to many more young Algerians finding Faith in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 2 vs 2: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him.”

Source: https://www.opendoorsusa.org