Maintaining distance from each other in an Indian Ocean cove, six men prepared to declare their belief in Christ through water baptism — something they could not legally celebrate in their country. These men swam around nonchalantly as ministry team members submerged them in water — one by one. This missionary team wasn’t sure all six men would commit. Due to religious persecution, fear sometimes tempts people not to fulfill their vows. Only a few team members could attend the baptism to avoid drawing attention. Water baptism was important to these six men – one of which was the man Zamil.*

This country in Southeast Africa is predominately Sunni Muslim. It is illegal for citizens to practice any religion other than Sunni Islam. Foreigners who attempt to share their faith with citizens can be subject to deportation, fines, and imprisonment. There is no evangelical church building present in the entire country.

Because this county is matrilineal, women own property, homes, and have the decision-making power. Many new believers fear that their mother will discover their devotion to Christ. Despite the strict religious structure in this country, many people welcome believers who share their faith in Jesus. “From the very beginning, we wanted to declare our love for Jesus so people would know we’re religious people and that we believe in God. People tend to respect us because we believe in God, love God, and try to serve Him. Here, talking about God is what everybody does. You can have conversations about God,” says Macy,* Assemblies of God World Missions missionary to Southeast Africa.

Although citizens should legally report these missionaries for talking about Jesus, Southeast Africans believe the missionaries bring value to the community because of the English center they operate. The community’s openness allows missionaries to reach more people with the gospel.

People we meet are generally willing to converse and are warm, hospitable, and community-oriented. “It’s very safe here and the crime risk is low,” says Macy. “We don’t live behind a wall, have a security guard, or a gate, which is very common, especially in Africa. We can live with the people.”

Although this country is extremely poor and underdeveloped, it is different from many other African countries because it produces enough food for its citizens. Even with extreme poverty, communities unite, provide food for one another, and care for those in need. People are resourceful with what they have and know how to make food and other resources last.

The challenging spiritual climate intertwined with poverty and physical need makes guiding people to Jesus difficult. However, through prayer and fasting this missionary team has seen many spiritual victories.

The missionary team consists of single missionaries, missionary couples, and their children, allowing the team to reach all different sectors of society. To legally reside in this Southeast African country, the missionary team leaders operate an English center for national citizens. Team members spend the morning studying the country’s language or working at the English center. They typically reserve evenings for spending time in the community and getting to know locals. On Wednesday mornings, the team gathers for prayer, language learning, discussion, and decision-making.

“One of my favorite things is listening to the Holy Spirit. We ask Him where He wants us to go that day. Did He give us a color to look for, or are we to look for a specific woman, or maybe find somebody with a broken arm? We call these things ‘treasures.’ After our meeting, we go out two-by-two and look for any “treasures” that He gave us,” says Macy. With an evangelical lens, the team travels out to connect with what “treasure” the Lord placed on their heart and see how He moves.

Another key component of this missionary team is fasting. After experiencing difficulties getting the proper governmental approvals for their English center, the missionary team prayed, fasted, and asked God for favor in the approval process. The team broke their fast in a restaurant. As they were leaving a man, hanging out a taxi window, shouted to Macy’s husband, Greg. “Greg, Greg, I have your paperwork. Come get it on Monday. It’s all ready.” This man was the person from whom they needed approval.

During COVID-19, the missionary team committed to 40 days of prayer and fasting. Each member selected something to fast, progressing in difficulty every 10 days. Due to COVID restrictions, the team spent less time in the community and more time in prayer, waiting on the Lord. Over the next few months, six different people knocked on various team members’ doors and asked to learn more about Jesus and the Bible, but the most profound miracle occurred a year later.

After he woke up one morning, Zamil walked to the Jesus followers’ house. He knew where to find these Jesus followers and he knew what He needed to do. He could not deny what he saw in his dream and the answers it demanded.

He raised his fist and knocked on their door. This was the home of one of Macy’s team members. They opened the door to an unfamiliar, local man with a glowing face. They could tell he had been in the presence of Jesus. They invited Zamil into their home. He began to speak. “I’ve had a dream of Jesus. Jesus was standing there, and He had His arms around my family, and He was cleansing us,” explained Zamil. “I looked up at Jesus, and I asked, ‘How can I be cleansed? How can I be clean?’ Jesus said, ‘Go to the people who follow Me, and they will tell you how to be cleansed.’ So, how can I be cleansed?” Zamil asked. That day, Zamil accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Zamil has matured in his faith and continues to be a spiritual leader, ministering and sharing Jesus with other Southeast Africans. He disciples two other believers and has brought His brother to the Lord. “He goes to the market every Monday and shares the gospel,” says Macy. “He has been praying for 200 Southeast Africans to come to know Jesus. He believes that if 200 people come to know Jesus, then nobody can stop them.

When Jesus showed himself in Zamil’s dream, Zamil saw himself and his family. Jesus was saying it just wasn’t for Zamil; it was, “I’m for your whole family.”

Zamil began hosting small gatherings so others could know Jesus. As interest in Christ grew, the need for caution increased. The more people gathered at Zamil’s home to hear about Jesus, the more police started coming by. Groups had to separate to attract less attention.

The missionaries are disciplining these new believers and helping them understand what it means to be the Church. “A church is not walls with pews. A biblical church comes out of Acts 2. We look at these new believers and we see them as the first church in this Southeast African country, but we’re waiting for them to own that identity,” says Macy.

People in this Southeast African country are slowly realizing that Jesus is the only One who cleanses. He is the only One who can wash them from sin, shame, guilt, and the past. No other religion can do it; no other god can do it. He is the One who cleans us, redeems us, and purifies us. He, alone, is the One we approach to be cleansed.

By Holly A.V. Knapp