Discipleship Tips: Keeping Christ CentralSampel

Discipleship takes time On a sparkling day in late August, I sat in a dusty African courtyard with HOPE International’s new field coordinator, Pastor John. We met to discuss a savings program that HOPE recently launched in an area of this country that has historically been highly resistant to Christianity. As Pastor John and I talked, a man in traditional Muslim garb approached our table. Pastor John greeted him warmly and said, “Please meet, Yayah, one of our volunteers. He used to be a sheikh.” With a broad smile, Yayah shared his journey toward Christ. A Christian acquaintance asked Yayah to teach him the Quran to engage more effectively with his Muslim friends. Yayah decided that if this man was studying his holy book, it would only be fair to study the Bible. After nine years, Yayah concluded that the Bible is true and chose to make Jesus Lord of his life. Though Yayah rejoiced in his newfound faith, following Jesus was not without its hardships. At that time, Yayah had two wives, and both immediately left him. He lost his home and had to move in with his Christian friend for the next three years. Despite these challenges, his desire to reach his people led him to complete pastoral training. He explained, “My Muslim friends and family are dying without Christ. No matter what, I must share Him with them.” As I walked away from that remarkable conversation, I took away three things: Sometimes it takes years of relationship, study, and discussion for someone to find Christ. In a world accustomed to quick fixes, we must be patient and not give up. Difficult environments do not mean that we cannot build loving friendships. Yayah came to faith in Christ through a friend who refused to presume that different perspectives on faith automatically produce separation and hostility. Community insiders like Pastor John and Yayah are generally more effective disciplers than outsiders who don’t know the culture. Yayah shared, “Because I am from the same tribe, I have more opportunities to pray to Jesus and speak of Him where people will accept it.” May this story encourage you to continue pressing on in the daily work of making disciples, knowing that the fruit might come years down the road. *For security, names of people and places have been changed or withheld. Thank you for completing this plan! For more devotionals by HOPE International, visit www.hopeinternational.org/youversion.