Ayaz* spent his early years in a madrasa in his native Iran, a type of school known for its strict adherence to Islam. His days—beginning early each morning—were filled with Islamic lessons and chants. “My family told me that the best way to serve God was by committing myself fully to this path,” he said. “After completing my training, my purpose was clear: to preach our beliefs to others. My life felt like one long journey aimed at winning people over to my faith.”

Ayaz began his work in Germany. He spoke in mosques, had discussions in coffee houses, and visited bookshops. One day, while distributing Islamic literature in a park, he encountered someone holding a magazine from a ministry in the Middle East that you assist. Its title sparked his interest. “What is this?” Ayaz asked the stranger. The man smiled. “This tells about the love and truth of Jesus Christ,” he replied. The stranger then gave Ayaz a copy.

As Ayaz skimmed the first few pages, he felt uneasy. “It was unlike any religious publication I had seen before,” he said. “It wasn’t judgmental, harsh, or filled with hostility. Instead, it was heartfelt language, real-life stories, and Scripture that spoke of God’s love. I was curious, yet there was a voice inside me warning, ‘This is the wrong path.’”

Despite his initial uneasiness, Ayaz read the magazine cover to cover that night, and what struck him most was a Bible verse included inside. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Ayaz was weary, exhausted, and depleted. He longed for the peace Jesus promised.

Ayaz obtained more issues of the magazine, and in each one, the included Bible verses seemed to speak directly to his soul. “Gradually, I began to understand the salvation that Jesus Christ offered me,” he said. “His love is not just an idea or teaching—it is real, living, and powerful enough to change lives.”

After months of prayer, reading, and conversations, Ayaz surrendered to Jesus. He was alone when he made his decision, and he simply knelt on the floor and whispered: “Lord Jesus, my life belongs to You. Give me a new heart.”

From that moment, Ayaz’s life changed. “I am no longer a preacher of my former faith,” he said. “But I am a witness of God’s love. And I want to share that testimony with others every chance I get.”

Pray for former Muslims like Ayaz, whose lives are transformed by the Lord and who—despite the risks that come with conversion—leave the religion of their families and culture to follow Jesus. Please consider a donation to support magazines like the one that changed Ayaz’s life. Your assistance helps ensure these resources continue to be available to those who long for the peace only Jesus can provide.