ELBAHRAIN.COM Radio is key to strengthening secret believers How do you take the gospel to one of the most inhospitable places in the world – a country now dominated by a militant Islamist group? One answer to that question is by radio.
Afghanistan has been described as the ‘graveyard of empires’, due to various failed attempts down the centuries by foreign military powers to conquer this landlocked mountainous country. In recent years the Islamist group the Taliban has taken control.
Life for the small number of Christians in the country was difficult enough before the Taliban regained control in the summer of 2021 but it has become worse since then.
Radio is key
‘Abraham*, who works for a Release International partner in the region, said, ‘[Before the Taliban] it was bad. But the Government gave people a chance. Some were able to declare their faith. It’s not in the news but there were around 10,000 believers who were able to declare themselves as Christians. When the Taliban came they had to flee Afghanistan [because they were known by the authorities].’
Some of those who had to leave now work with Abraham in his gospel ministry. ‘One couple joined my team. The Taliban found out about their faith and came to arrest the man. He wasn’t at home but saw their car coming. They phoned him and said, “We want to know more about you.” As they said this he could see them sitting in their car and there were police cars behind. So instead of going home he went over the mountain and made arrangements to leave the country. Later we helped him to bring out his wife and child.’
Our partner organisation’s work involves making Christian radio programmes. ‘This media is the best way to share the gospel,’ said Abraham, ‘especially in the rural areas, as radio is the best way to find things out. People in rural areas don’t have TV or smart phones. They are keen to have a radio: it’s one of their best sources of information.’
a Building One Body partner tells Kenneth Harrod.
As the work has expanded several websites have been set up, for those who do have access to the internet: one hosts the radio programmes; one provides Scripture; another features video, including Christian films that have been dubbed; another makes books available for free download. Response to the radio programmes has been increasing, particularly since the Taliban regained control of the country. ‘There are so many restrictions. People face so many difficulties and are looking for hope,’ said Abraham. Since 2021 the radio programmes have elicited response calls averaging around 500 a month. In the first six months of this year our partner received more than 5,700 calls from inquirers.
However, to come to faith in Christ in Afghanistan is to risk all. ‘They live a changed life there but they can’t openly announce their faith. They will look for like-minded people to share their faith with them. Outwardly they have to look like Muslims; even though inside they have Christ in them. Some have said to me, “When we die our bodies are going to be in a Muslim graveyard, but our spirits are going to be with Jesus.”’
The programmes our partner make aim to address both evangelism and the discipling of believers. A team of people are available to follow up calls that are made. ‘People are sometimes afraid to make calls because they think they are being listened to and monitored. And yet the calls are coming in,’ said Abraham.
Radio is key to strengthening secret believers
In his book Tortured for Christ Richard Wurmbrand wrote about one of the great challenges of gospel ministry in restricted countries: namely, that the joy of bringing someone to Christ was always mixed with the feeling that there might be a great price to be paid. Abraham knows this feeling.
‘It’s like the parable of someone who found a pearl and to get that pearl the person was ready to sell everything. The life we have in Jesus – even if we sell everything – is much more worth it. That’s how I see it. We as Christians have to follow the same pattern as the early church. If we just play safe we cannot take the gospel to the world. We have to take a risk and, at the same time, new believers have to take a risk. But if you value the gospel you will do it.’
Abraham was himself briefly imprisoned a number of years ago, falsely accused of killing a friend. He has also had to move house because of threats.
well as reaching
Currently one of the biggest needs our partner has is for more personnel in the team. ‘Pray for more labourers,’ said Abraham.
Despite all the challenges, Abraham draws great encouragement from the ministry, particularly every time one of his team is engaged in a follow-up call, be it with an inquirer or a believer. ‘People have tried everything in Afghanistan,’ he added. ‘Nothing has ever worked. Only the gospel is going to work. That is the only solution. And when I see and hear people accepting Jesus Christ that gives me both courage and encouragement.’
Please Pray:
- For Abraham and his team: for their security, and particularly for wisdom when they respond to enquirers
- For more Afghan language- speaking Christians to join the team
- That many more Afghans will hear the gospel through the radio programmes and come to faith in Christ.
