My Journey to Faith: From Quranic school to Christ

Greetings Brothers and Sisters! I bless you in the Lord. I desire to share the details of my faith journey and the struggles I encountered along the way. My prayer is that this will encourage you in your own walk with Christ.

Finding Christ

"How did I find Christ?" To answer this, let me take you back to my childhood. I was 10 years old when I first encountered Jesus Christ. At that time, I was attending a Quranic school, known locally as a "khalwa," where children are taught to memorize and recite Quranic verses.

The Quranic school environment was challenging and quite different from what I later experienced in Sunday school. Our teacher, an old man with a long, mixed black and white beard and sharp eyes, had a very stern demeanor. He was a small but strong man, always carrying a big stick. He had no patience for mistakes or distractions and frequently punished us for not reciting verses correctly or not memorizing them as instructed.

We spent our days reciting Quranic verses without any explanation or context. The emphasis was solely on rote memorization. This rigid approach, coupled with the constant threat of punishment, made the environment intimidating and stressful. The teacher’s anger was palpable, and his teaching methods were devoid of compassion or understanding.

I often questioned why the God of Islam seemed so harsh and why there was no room for understanding or interpretation. The lack of warmth and the fear-driven atmosphere made me yearn for something different, something more loving and compassionate.

One day, my mother suggested I visit the church with her. Initially, I was hesitant because I knew that attending church was forbidden in Islam. However, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to go with her without telling my father.

At the church, I was introduced to a completely different environment. My mother took me to the children's Sunday school class, where I was welcomed warmly by the female teacher. The atmosphere was filled with joy, singing, and dancing. Children were encouraged to express themselves and were treated with kindness and respect.

The Sunday school teacher prayed for us, thanking God for each child and asking for His guidance and love. She even prayed for me specifically, asking God to touch my heart and transform me. She prayed:

"Dear Lord, we come to You today with grateful hearts. We thank You for bringing us together to learn about Your love and grace. Lord, we lift up this new child, Adel, to You. May You touch his heart and transform him. Let him feel Your presence and know Your love. Guide him on his journey and help him to accept You as his Savior. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

This experience was profoundly different from what I had known at the Quranic school. The compassion, understanding, and genuine love I felt in the Sunday school deeply moved me. I decided to attend Sunday school regularly, and it was during this time that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. This decision marked the beginning of my faith journey, which has continued to shape my life ever since.

Struggles on the Journey

By the time I was 15, I openly declared my faith to my father, expressing my desire to follow my mother's Christian beliefs. His reaction was severe and immediate. He felt deeply betrayed and angry, seeing my decision as a rejection of our family's heritage and his authority.

My father’s disappointment was very clear. He refused to speak to me for days, hoping that the silent treatment would pressure me into abandoning my newfound faith. When silence did not work, he resorted to more drastic measures. He punished me physically, using the same harsh methods I had experienced at the Quranic school. The beatings were severe and intended to break my will.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw his support, both financially and emotionally, if I did not return to the Quranic school. He made it clear that if I continued on this path, he would cut me off entirely—no financial support for school, no help with living expenses, and no guidance or advice. He even went as far as to say that I would no longer be considered his son. The community's response to my conversion was overwhelmingly negative as well. In our tight-knit society, faith is often seen as a collective identity rather than an individual choice. My decision to follow Christianity was viewed as a betrayal not only by my immediate family but by the extended family and the broader community.

Neighbors, friends, and relatives openly expressed their disapproval. Many of my friends distanced themselves from me, and I was frequently subjected to scorn and ridicule. Gossip and speculation about my faith spread quickly, and the community pressure added a heavy burden to my journey of faith.

There were even instances where I faced physical threats. Some community members attempted to intimidate me into renouncing my faith. Despite these threats, I remained steadfast in my belief, drawing strength from the love and support I found within the church community.

Pursuing Further Education

After finishing my diploma, I felt a calling to pursue further education. In 2013, I got an opportunity to study theology in Lebanon, where I earned a bachelor's degree by 2016. Upon returning to Sudan, I learned that my father had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior! This news brought me such immense joy and a sense of divine vindication.

Seeing my father’s transformation reaffirmed my faith and revealed the power of God’s love and grace. It was a profound moment of reconciliation and healing for our family.

Ministry and Vision

After returning to Sudan, I started working as an English teacher in Kosti, the city where I now live. In 2020, I got married to my wife, Yasmin, and we have two children, Evelyn and Ivan. Despite the challenges we face, we find joy and strength in our faith and family.

I met Pastor Youil, my regional director, through social media. We had previously met in Lebanon, where I served as a Sunday school teacher assistant in his church. He introduced me to the Kidz at Heart ministry, which I found to be a beautiful initiative. I became the national director of Sudan, conducting various trainings in Kosti, Khartoum, and other regions.

Currently, I also volunteer with Operation Christmas Child in Sudan, serving as a church coordinator. My vision is to save many children in Sudan through this ministry, just as I was saved as a child. I am also seeking opportunities to further my education, aiming to pursue a master's degree and eventually a PhD in theology.

Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the transformations and growth I have experienced. Despite the struggles and challenges, I believe God is leading me to greater heights. My commitment to education and ministry remains strong, and I look forward to what the future holds.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Blessing to you,

Adel Boukhari