Dressed in gym shorts and t-shirts, the teenage students from Black Forest Academy boarding school appeared on the church stage one at a time to give testimony before entering the baptismal tank. Their stories gave credit to childhood faith that was reclaimed to combat high school eating disorders and self-worth issues. A few reported a newfound relationship with Christ that they had never understood till separation from family and the influence of others convinced them of a real faith available to them. 

The final candidate for baptism stepped up to the microphone. In a carefully selected white linen pantsuit and flowered headband, the young lady from Iran delivered a vastly different narrative through her translator friend. For the first time in her life, while living in a refugee camp in Germany, she heard about Jesus in a new way. Her Muslim background allowed for no Savior, no Son of God. Now she read the New Testament and fell in love with the God-man who treated men and women equally as precious siblings. She believed He loved her enough to free her from the penalty of sin and offer entrance to Heaven. 

Bravely, she was ready to live for Him and turn from Islam. 

She knew that making a public confession to follow Isa would have real consequences for her relationships back in Iran and even among Muslim immigrants in the camp. Looking at her face and hearing about the changes in her heart and mind impacted the audience to a new level of awe in God’s power to transform lives and eradicate fear. Seeing her pure delight as she came up from the water invited thunderous applause. 

There are those around the world willing to give up everything for the freedom Christ offers. I was humbled and energized to return to my place in Central Asia, knowing as a foreigner I already stood out from my neighbors, wanting to stand up for the Gospel and not be afraid.