Paragraph 1: Yakob (a pseudonym) grew up in a region of Ethiopia with a strong ultraconservative Orthodox presence. Although immersed in that tradition, he did not truly understand who Jesus was. His transformation began as he started attending Protestant services and prayer meetings after a friend left the Orthodox church.
Paragraph 2: Yakob read the Bible for the first time in his language, and he says direct contact with the Scriptures profoundly changed him, including the Psalm 91 which moved him to tears. Over time, he embraced Christianity and faced opposition from family and the community, including boycotts, restrictions on water access, and accusations of being influenced by external forces. His family also faced discrimination by ultraconservative priests.
Paragraph 3: The persecution extended to violence, with attacks on Protestant gatherings and physical threats. Despite the hostility, Yakob remained committed and started a local evangelistic movement, founding a small church on his family’s land. He notes that persecution has not hindered the spread of the gospel, with new converts joining the group. Ongoing efforts include prayers for strength and continued outreach to share Jesus.
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