September 2009

Benjamin's Choice by Dr. Pat

Benjamin, a Muslim who became a Christian while he was still in high school was born in Morocco, the eighth of nine children. He grew up practicing the Muslim traditions of prayer and fasting hoping to find the peace that was promised through Islam. Benjamin did the things that Islam taught and what was expected of him.  As he matured and began to seek real meaning in his life, he felt something was missing.

While in high school Benjamin happened to hear a Christian broadcast from Trans World Radio. They said that Jesus was the Son of God. Questions about Jesus and the cross arose in his mind. When listening to the Christian music the themes of love and peace penetrated his heart and at last he found the peace he was searching for. The quest to know more about this relationship with God drew him to correspond with the radio station and ask them the questions he needed answers to. 

Benjamin’s Muslim family noticed the changes in his life and condemned him for corresponding with Christians. They were deeply concerned because he stopped praying five times a day and associating with his old friends, members of a prominent non-radical Muslim organization. Benjamin tried to explain to them that the Muslim prayers and traditions did not give him the sense of peace he needed.

Over the next year Benjamin began to understand the meaning of forgiveness and love. Through correspondence with the radio ministry he took Bible study courses. He learned about the Holy Spirit, which he didn’t fully understand, but he felt peace and a real sense of joy. Benjamin prayed the prayers the ministry had provided for him and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Again Benjamin’s family and friends sensed a difference in his life and questioned him about it. He told them he had become a Christian. That was the match that lit the flame of persecution.  It started with his own father, who forced Benjamin to leave home 4 times, twice at knife point. His father also took the opportunity to ridicule him in front of the pastor who came to visit the family.

Friends and neighbors all tried to force him to deny his new faith in Christ. One of Benjamin’s brothers hit him in the eyes and told him he hated him. At one point while he was bowed in prayer two of his brothers and his father beat him with their hands and a belt. The next day Benjamin endured another beating, but he said that he didn’t feel anything because he was in the spiritual high places. He did have fear until he prayed and then felt an immense peace.

Benjamin shared his faith with a fellow student and gave him a Bible. That student became a Christian. He too suffers persecution from his family who won’t accept his conversion from Islam to Christianity.

Benjamin continued working toward graduation. Twelve hours a week he was required to attend a school that was focused on Sharia* or Muslim law. Hearing the spreading rumors, Benjamin’s teacher asked him if he had become a Christian. He unashamedly answered yes. Not able to accept Benjamin’s decision, the teacher along with the rest of the faculty met and told him he couldn’t attend classes or take the final exams if he remained a Christian.

Taking the advice of a fellow Christian from the church he attended, Benjamin with great reservation lied and denied his claim of becoming a Christian in order to finish his education. Haunted by his decision he went back to the school and told the teachers that he couldn’t live his faith with a lie. He explained that Jesus, in the Bible, said, “I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  Many of the students were touched by Benjamin’s testimony.

Benjamin was allowed to complete his studies, take the exams and graduate from high school. He applied to a local university to study philosophy, but his father insisted that he leave the area because of his faith. Benjamin then applied and attended a school farther away, where he met other Christians and found a new church.

To Benjamin’s great joy his family eventually came to understand his new faith. His father actually asked for a Bible and asked to see a video of Jesus’ life. One of his sisters even told him she would pray for him.

 But his persecution continued.  Benjamin was required to go to the local police department for questioning where he was accused of preaching the Gospel and giving people, the Injil (New Testament).  Benjamin boldly told the officers that whenever people ask him he will answer them and tell them of his faith. He could feel Jesus’ presence with him throughout the ordeal.

Benjamin asked us to pray:

That he would use his ability, tools and gifts to serve God

That he would develop good relationships with others.

*(Shari ah means “way” or “path” and is the framework which regulates public and some private aspects of Muslim life.)

   In Morocco, there are an estimated 5000 Christians and 30 or more churches. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches are for foreigners, while the Morocco Evangelical Church generally meets in small groups in individual homes. This evangelical movement was started by Muslim background Believers or MBB’s