From Disbelief to Faith: A Muslim Farmer Transformed by Jesus
By PNW Staff January 06, 2025
Mohammadu Abdullahi never imagined he would one day follow Jesus. Born and raised a Muslim in the remote village of Gangkoes in Nigeria's northeast region, his world revolved around farming and family. The people in his community—mostly Muslims, with a few Christians and traditional religion worshippers—are peasant farmers, cultivating just enough crops to survive, with little left to sell. At thirty years old, Mohammadu was known as a hardworking farmer, devoted to providing for his wife, Ruth, and their young son, Kabiru. Ruth was a Christian, but faith was never a shared subject in their home. That changed the day Mohammadu attended a small Bible discussion group led by his uncle, Ezekiel Daniel. Ezekiel invited him to listen to a story from Matthew 14:22-33, the account of Jesus walking on water. It was a story unlike anything Mohammadu had ever heard. “I was deeply intrigued, but also skeptical…was it really possible for a man to walk on water?” Mohammadu recalled thinking to himself. That thought stayed with him long after the meeting ended. When he returned home, he asked his wife if she had ever heard such a story. Ruth confirmed she had, but urged him to return and ask those who told it. So he did. The next day, Mohammadu went back to Ezekiel, still wrestling with the question of how such a miracle could be possible. Ezekiel Daniel is an indigenous leader, trained by Spoken Worldwide to share the gospel in oral format and in the heart language of his community. In Gangkoes, where few people can read or access written Scripture, oral communication is vital to learning and sharing information. Reading is simply not part of their culture. Trained to tell God’s Word in their own heart language, leaders like Ezekiel use spoken Bible stories and translated Scripture in oral format—instead of printed text—making the message easy to understand and accessible to people who might never hear it otherwise. Thanks to Spoken Worldwide and Ezekiel’s training, he was prepared when Mohammadu approached him about the story of Jesus walking on the water. Ezekiel’s response was simple but life-changing: “It is the sovereign power of God. It was possible because Jesus is God and has power over every creation.” That truth pierced Mohammadu’s heart. For the first time, he began to grasp who Jesus truly is. He could not resist the conviction growing within him. The story of Jesus walking on water became the turning point of his life—a moment when disbelief gave way to faith. “This was a turning point for me! My heart was stirred, and I couldn’t shake the deep conviction that Jesus truly is Lord,” he said. A Family Transformed The decision to follow Jesus was not one Mohammadu made lightly. In a region where Islam shapes identity and daily life, embracing Christianity can carry deep personal and social risks. Yet, his conviction was clear. He told Ruth that he would join her at church and that he had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. His wife rejoiced, and soon their only son, Kabiru, also came to faith. Today, Mohammadu is no longer just a believer—he’s a baptized leader, sharing the same story that once transformed his life. He now leads a small discussion group in Gangkoes, teaching others about Jesus and encouraging them to listen, reflect, and believe. Through his witness, the love of Christ is spreading quietly yet powerfully in a predominantly Muslim community where the message of Jesus was once unknown. Join the Mission For two decades, Spoken Worldwide has been partnering with indigenous Christian leaders to bring the gospel in oral format and in the heart language of the people served. In 20 years, Spoken has reached more than 650,000 oral learners, discipling people like Mohammadu who can spread God’s Word in their communities safely, authentically, and effectively. Mohammadu’s story is just one of many showing how God is at work in regions where faith comes at a great cost. Lives are being changed—one story, one discussion, one heart at a time. You can help share this life-changing message. When you give to Spoken Worldwide, you help bring the gospel to those who may never hold a Bible or read a verse—but who can hear and believe. Every gift helps Spoken Worldwide train and equip local leaders who are delivering God’s Truth in their native languages and oral traditions. Every gift of $50 brings the gospel to 200 people! Please stand together in prayer for Mohammadu, Ezekiel, and their community, and for all those hearing the name of Jesus for the first time. Your support helps take God’s Truth in oral form to those who need to hear it most.
