Butros and his wife returned to the Gulf to strengthen the church. They organize training seminars for pastors, have centers for literacy and vocational education, hold prayer meetings and have safe houses for converts.
Butros pays with tears but fights in faith. After having obtained his university degree in England, Butros has ample reason and opportunities to stay there. The Church in his home country is under tremendous pressure. Many Christians flee the country because they are persecuted. But Butros knows that God is calling him to go to his country.
Together with his wife Nadira he returns. In their country, they are working to strengthen the Church and spread the Gospel. There is danger of losing their lives, but they know that they have eternal life!
“The first few months, I travelled through the country and visited pastors. I listened to them while they were telling me about their problems. During this period, a plan grew in our heart to strengthen the Church in our country.
We have started to organize training seminars for pastors. Our work has grown. Now, we have centers for literacy and vocational education. We organize seminars and conferences for pastors and have prayer meetings. We also have safe houses for converts. And so many other things are happening that I cannot tell you about.”
A high cost In the land where Butros lives and works, bomb attacks, fights and Muslim extremism are part of daily reality. Everyone is in danger. However, when you are a secret believer with a Muslim background you are not only in danger of being persecuted by authorities and Muslim extremists. Often, you also have to deal with abuse or rejection from family members.
Together with others, Butros supports new Muslim background believers. “I have seen many Muslims come to faith in Jesus Christ. This Church is a living Church! It is very much like a New Testament church. Its members are constantly paying the price. The world does not notice when they are killed. Constantly living under a threat and losing friends and leaders seriously affects the remaining Christians.
Frequently they told me: ‘Butros, our ministry is over, we cannot go on.’ A month later, however, they came back with a great desire to restart their ministry.” Make a difference This passion and trust touches Butros. It stimulates him to continue to train and support these groups. “I am blessed by their faith and courage.
These people really do sacrifice everything for Jesus.” Butros’ work is not limited to the groups of Christians with a Muslim background. He is also deeply involved with the official churches. “We are building the Church. A living church can move mountains. It makes the difference in society. It opens its doors to the people waiting outside. It draws people by telling the Gospel with words and actions.”
This does not happen without a fight. The past year has been extremely difficult. Butros and his wife Nadira have suffered great losses and frequently receive threats. “Following Christ has cost me many tears. We miss our friends with whom we worked together. When the phone rings we are often afraid to pick up the receiver. We are tired and afraid. But we have learnt to bring everything before the Lord and to study His Word. He has always lifted us up out of the terrible predicaments we felt all around us.
We do not take foolish risks but we are willing to suffer for the Lord. We are convinced that we cannot give up. We are called to be here. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we do not fear death. After all, God is with us!”