Raised as a Muslim in Iran—one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian—Dilara* is well-acquainted with the harsh reality of persecution.
She has spent the past eight years in Lebanon, where some Christian friends in this largely Muslim country invited her to church.
Dilara took them up on their offer and began learning about their faith, curious to know more.
While browsing Facebook several months ago, she discovered free, online discipleship courses through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s internet evangelism ministry, Search for Jesus.
Eager to continue exploring Christianity, she decided to enroll and was paired with a trained online discipleship volunteer to lead her through it.
As she poured through the course material, she found evidence that Jesus Christ not only exists, but that He loves her, has a purpose for her, and wants to help guide her life.
“How can [I] ask Jesus to be [my] Savior?” Dilara asked toward the beginning of the course, adding that she wanted to be “near to God.”
During online conversations with the discipleship volunteer, she learned more about the Gospel and what it means to follow Jesus.
Dilara came to realize that she can have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. She recognized her need to ask God’s forgiveness for her sins and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior.
“I have good news for you,” Dilara announced to the volunteer several months into her online courses. “I believe [in] Jesus, and now I am officially Christian.”
She was baptized in a local church and started attending Bible studies to continue to grow in her faith.
If she ever returns to her home country (ranked No. 9 on Open Doors International’s list of worst persecutors of Christians), Dilara could face severe consequences. But for Dilara, her newfound peace and hope—and eternal life in Jesus Christ—are worth the risk.
*Name changed for privacy.
