04/28/2022 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – Pastor Andrew remembers the vivid dream that drew him to this Islam-dominated enclave. He put his faith in Christ as a teenager, and knew God was calling him to share the gospel with Muslims. He prayed for six months before God opened the door and showed him the way.

“In my church, my pastor would pray for me,” Andrew said. “I used to have this vision. I could see myself preaching in the Muslim territories, dream of preaching. That’s why I have so much passion today … I’m going to continue to be here until Jesus returns.”

To protect his identity and location, ICC can only share that he is located in Africa.

Taking up residency in another community and openly preaching about Jesus would surely be a death sentence in most radical Muslim areas. So, Andrew began his work as a small businessman in 2002, selling secondhand clothing and doing what he does best – forging friendships one stranger at a time. Over time, he could be more vocal about his faith and launch a small church.

It was through initial brief sidewalk encounters that Andrew began sharing Christ with others. While he was occasionally slapped and threatened, he persevered knowing the Lord had called him to this community.

“I would take a prayer walk. Because of courage, the prayer, and the faith that I have, God helped me to overcome even if I face opposition. Even now it’s not so smooth, I am still preaching because we know how to handle ourselves. I smile at them with the smile of Jesus.”

While Andrew married his hometown sweetheart in 2006, she did not join him for two years because the area and ministry were too dangerous for Christians. They have been together ever since.

In 2014, Muslim extremists demanded that Andrew leave six times, he ignored their threats in this spiritual hardscrabble place.

Saving Souls Through Suds

The pastor loves and serves his neighbors and they have accepted him, telling him discreetly that they are curious about Jesus. He comes to their aid as a friend and neighbor and isn’t surprised when they ask him to pray for them.

After trying his hand at several small businesses and farming, Andrew has sold bar, liquid, and detergent soap since 2018. More importantly, he teaches Muslim women in the village the soap-making process while simultaneously discipling them in the Christian faith.

It takes a dangerous, 14-hour round-trip journey to buy the necessary items including coconut oil, aloe vera, caustic soda, neem, and liwa white powder. ICC supports Andrew financially in his small business to build the church in Africa.

“We have a group of 20 women, Muslims and Christians, who meet every Thursday for fellowship and soapmaking in my home. We pray and read the Bible. Through this group, I’ve been able to meet more villagers in the community.”

When Andrew hands someone a bar of soap, he tells them that it can clean their skin. But if they put their faith in Jesus, God can remove the sinful soil on their eternal soul.

Four Muslim women recently put their faith in Jesus, though they cannot celebrate and announce it publicly outside of their weekly gatherings.

Pastor Andrew is grateful that the soap-making business allows him to provide for his family and serve as a tool to share Jesus with others, and grow God’s kingdom.

“We are going to continue even though it is hard. People need Jesus now more than anything. They used to tell me they don’t want me to preach in this area. I will die one day anyway, so I cannot stop sharing Christ.”

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