The baptism should have been a moment of celebration. Instead, it began with hesitation.
A new believer in the Middle East, Hamza*, stood ready to publicly declare his faith in Jesus – an act that, in his context, carried profound personal risk. A disciple of the e3 missionary there, Leon*, was preparing to baptize him, marking the beginning of his new life in Christ. For Leon, however, this moment was also marked by hesitation.
It was the first time he had ever met this man.
As he observed the scene unfold, he quietly wrestled with doubt. Was Hamza someone they could truly invest in? Would this new believer remain steadfast, or would the pressures of his environment prove too great? In a place where following Jesus can come at an immense cost, these were not light questions.
Leon voiced his uncertainty to his disciple.
The response was simple, yet full of wisdom: “Let’s give him a chance. Let’s continue to disciple him.”
Leon agreed, not knowing how significant that decision would become.
Growth in the Midst of Risk
In the weeks and months that followed, something remarkable began to happen.
Hamza didn’t fade into the background. Instead, he grew.
His faith took root and began to transform him from the inside out. As he engaged with Scripture and learned to walk in obedience, his character steadily reflected more of Christ. Hamza wasn’t just learning about Jesus. He was becoming like Him.
And he couldn’t keep it to himself.
He began sharing his faith openly, speaking about Jesus with boldness and sincerity. In a context where such openness can invite serious consequences, this was no small step. It was a clear sign that his faith was genuine and alive.
The Cost of Following Jesus
Eventually, Hamza’s family discovered the truth.
They learned not only that he had placed his faith in Jesus, but that he was actively telling others about Him. For many families in his context, this is seen not just as a personal decision, but as a betrayal – of identity, tradition, and honor.
The response was swift and severe.
He faced intense pressure to renounce his faith and return to Islam. The situation escalated to a moment that could have ended in tragedy: During one confrontation, his own brother held him at gunpoint, demanding that he recant.
Yet even there, God was at work.
A Faith Refined, Not Destroyed
By God’s grace, Hamza found an opportunity to escape.
He fled his home and relocated to another part of the country, leaving behind everything familiar. What could have crushed his faith – what might have silenced or discouraged many – instead became a refining fire.
His faith didn’t weaken. It deepened.
Stripped of comfort and security, Hamza leaned more fully on Christ. His relationship with Jesus became everything.
From Disciple to Disciple-Maker
Today, in his new home, Hamza is not merely surviving – he is thriving.
He is actively making disciples, sharing the Gospel, and helping plant new churches. The same boldness that once drew persecution is now bearing fruit in the lives of others. The Gospel is multiplying through him.
Hamza has become a joyful, courageous, and fruitful servant of Christ – someone through whom God is advancing His Kingdom in powerful ways.
This is all because Leon trusted God rather than leaning on his own human concerns.
A Reminder for Us All
This story is a compelling reminder that we don’t always see what God sees.
Where we may feel hesitation, God sees potential.
Where we may question, God is already at work.
Where we might hold back, God invites us to step forward in faith.
Discipleship often begins with simple obedience – choosing to invest, to walk alongside someone, to give them a chance. We may not know the outcome, but God does.
And sometimes, the person we least expect becomes a catalyst for extraordinary Kingdom impact.
May we be people who say “yes” to those opportunities, trusting that God can take even our uncertain beginnings and turn them into stories of transformation, courage, and multiplication.
*Names and images have been changed to ensure safety and anonymity