Stories from our field
Aduke* from Nigeria: ‘How can I get to know Jesus?’
Through Instagram, he asks two pointed questions: ‘How can I get to know Jesus?’ and ‘Is knowing Jesus enough to be saved?’ The members of the Yoruba language team in Nigeria immediately sit up and take notice: this isn’t just someone scrolling aimlessly online; this is a person truly seeking Jesus.
The team’s Instagram post had piqued Aduke’s interest. He wants to be certain: ‘How can I be sure that Jesus gives eternal life?’
Politely, he asks if he can pose his questions in his own language, Yoruba. ‘Of course,’ comes the reply. Then, he dives right in. He reveals himself to be a genuine seeker of truth. Patiently, team member Olabisi* speaks with him. ‘Don’t put off following Jesus,’ Olabisi says. ‘You don’t have to clean yourself up first to earn God’s approval. No matter how great you feel your sins are, God has promised that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”‘ (Romans 10:13)
‘I’m with you,’ Aduke replies.
‘God’s Word says: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away,”’ Olabisi adds.
Aduke: ‘Thank you so much for your answer! I really appreciate it. I would love to join your WhatsApp group.’
The entire team has been closely following the conversation between Aduke and Olabisi, which has now been ongoing for weeks. In prayer, the team members stand by this man who is so sincerely searching for the truth. ‘We trust that God will give him clear insight, and that he will make the leap from investigation to conviction.’
It is wonderful that this seeker of truth can ask his questions in his mother tongue and that the team is so deeply invested in his journey. They plan to call him soon to encourage him and pray with him. These online evangelists reflect the character of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who seeks out the lost.
The Yoruba people are spread across Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, with the majority living in Nigeria. They have their own language and number approximately fifty million people. The Yoruba are a deeply religious people, practicing Islam, Christianity, and their own traditional beliefs.
In a country where there is so much violence, including against Christians, it is remarkable that people are searching for the peace that only Jesus can provide.
- Give thanks to God for the wonderful connection with Aduke;
- Pray for wisdom for the team in their contact with him;
- Pray that he reaches the full conviction that Jesus is his Savior;
- And pray for Nigeria, where there is so much violence against Christians.
Photo by David Ogwu-Nelson on Unsplash