Zara’s Journey in the Middle East
From Questions to Conviction
Zara spent her life immersed in Islamic culture, but her hidden questions led her to a Google search that changed her eternity.
In the Middle East, life-and-death situations unfold daily. Amid the turmoil of war and loss, many are searching for a hope that the world cannot provide. For Zara, this search began with a heart full of confusion and a mind full of questions about God that she felt she could not ask those around her.
"I have an unfamiliar feeling I can’t explain," Zara later shared as the Holy Spirit began to move in her life.
A Search for Real Love
Because her upbringing permeated every aspect of her life, Zara turned to the Internet for answers in secrecy. While searching, she encountered a GMO ad about Jesus in Arabic. The message spoke directly to those experiencing disappointment and loneliness in relationships, offering the real love found in Christ.
Curiosity and anxiety tugged at her as she clicked the ad and filled out a form for more information. In the notes section, she asked the single most important question:
“Who is this Jesus Christ?”
A Safe Place to Question
An Online Missionary named Salima responded to Zara’s inquiry. Salima shared Scripture and answered Zara's detailed questions about the Gospel, but Zara still struggled to reconcile these new truths with her heritage.
Recognizing the need for community, Salima invited Zara to a weekly virtual discipleship group. These digital gatherings allow seekers to learn from other believers and pray while remaining entirely anonymous—a crucial safety feature for those in hostile environments.
The Path to Salvation
As Zara participated in the group and heard the Word of God, her heart began to change. Salima explained that the "unfamiliar feeling" Zara was experiencing was the Holy Spirit speaking to her heart.
A few days later, Zara reached out to Salima with a request: she wanted to pray the salvation prayer together. Since accepting Christ, Zara has remained on a path of discipleship, finding joy in her newfound relationship with the Savior.
The Exponential Impact
Zara is one of over 400,000 contacts with a Muslim background who reached out to Online Missionaries in the MENA region during a recent fiscal year. Over 90% of these individuals had never had a conversation with a Christian before clicking an ad. Today, the Arabic virtual discipleship group has grown from zero participants to over 1,150 individuals attending each week.
Will You Provide Hope For Someone Like Zara Today?
- Become an Online Missionary and walk with seekers from doubt to discipleship.
- Give a gift to help more Gospel ads reach people in their moment of need.