Palash was a very spiritual man, a priest and a spiritual leader in his community.
He meditated daily on the holy book of his traditional religion. His life looked full from the outside. He was married, had two children and stayed busy with all his priestly duties. But he realised something was missing when he heard the name of Jesus being shared over loudspeakers in his village.
A different leader
Another man in Palash’s community also served as a spiritual leader, but this man loved and followed Christ. Gospel for Asia-supported Pastor Tahir discipled several groups of believers and he took the love and compassion of Jesus with him wherever he went.
Then, one evening, Pastor Tahir hosted a gospel mobile team. Palash and many others from the community curiously gathered to listen. The team performed songs and talked about the life of Jesus Christ. They shared from the Bible about Jesus’ eternal love for all people, despite their sin, and his saving grace.
Palash had never heard teachings like these and he had never heard of Jesus, but the words shared by these men touched his heart. Palash went forward for prayer. As he read through literature given to him, God continued working in his heart.
After the mobile team left, Pastor Tahir visited Palash in his home. He shared more about Jesus and gave the young man a New Testament to read. Palash began reading the holy, inspired words of God and attending the Sunday services at the local church. The life and compassion of Jesus Christ deeply resonated within Palash. He realised all Jesus had done for him, and believed.
A new purpose
In the past, Palash spent his time meditating on the holy book of his traditional religion; he’d even read it to people, cover to cover. But after reading and understanding the Bible, Palash left his position as a priest in order to pursue Christ. He gave up his rituals and started working as a daily labourer to provide for his family.
Palash and his wife both responded to the hope found in Jesus and they began consistently attending the local church led by Pastor Tahir. There they came to a greater understanding of who Jesus is and were nurtured with Christ-like love by the church family.
This story was reported in October.
