Yemen is one of the hardest places in the world to follow Jesus. This story, which comes from persecuted church agency Open Doors, is about Saleh*, a faithful believer who spreads the gospel despite extreme opposition.
Once Saleh decided to become a Christian, and although evangelising is very dangerous in Yemen, he would tell people about Jesus outside his local mosque. But persecution for that kind of boldness is inevitable. He was interrogated and accused of apostasy (converting from Islam), which can lead to execution. Thankfully, Saleh’s tribe stood with him, which is very important in Yemeni culture.
Saleh often had surprising encounters. ‘As a new believer and a potential future leader, I attended training and workshops outside Yemen, some run by Open Doors. They gave me the necessary tools for my ministry and helped me delve deeper into the Bible.’ But he was then arrested at the airport. ‘The authorities wanted to know why was I attempting to leave the country? Did I have any relationships with the ‘West’? But rather than detaining me, they made me a proposition. They sought to enlist me in their ranks, thinking I was a valuable asset.’
Eventually Saleh left Yemen for a neighbouring country, where he stayed in a camp with many other Yemeni refugees. There, he spoke openly about Jesus and many people came to Christ. ‘I became known as the person “who knows Jesus”,’ he says. ‘People were interested to speak, listen and debate with me. Many people there came to know Christ as their Saviour. And I encouraged believers to go back to Yemen and serve there.’
Saleh asked God how he could continue to reach Yemen for Jesus. The answer was through a house church network, which is the only realistic way to have Christian fellowship in Yemen. ‘We started a church in a “safer” area in Yemen where leaders could come together, study the Bible, pray and be launched into ministry.’ Saleh knew the risk, but says it’s worth it. ‘If we sit at home and do nothing, we would be safe. But what kind of Christians would we be if we weren’t risking our lives for others to know Life?’
He soon started getting death threats on his phone. And two of his Christian friends, Issam* and Mussa*, were hauled off a bus by police, arrested, blindfolded and imprisoned. Such incidents happen regularly to Christian converts in Yemen and it was very dangerous for Saleh. But he thought: ‘If I run away, what kind of example will I be setting for the church?’ For two months, Saleh hid in a safe house in Yemen. ‘But even in those tough times, I received calls or texts from people who were praying for me’. Those prayers were answered when, eight weeks later, Issam and Mussa were released from prison.
‘God did a miracle,’ Saleh says. ‘He changed the heart of a person of influence who initially wanted them dead. This man eventually helped them to get out of jail! It was after they were freed that I realised why God allowed all this to happen. Issam and Mussa continued their ministry inside the prison and God brought several prisoners to Him through them.’
Saleh still travels to Yemen and other countries where Yemenis live. ‘The church in Yemen is living in very harsh conditions but is growing nonetheless! I hope that soon there will be Christians in every corner of the country, who will share the gospel in word and deed. I pray to see the church spreading from Yemen to the outside.’
Saleh currently serves about 70 families in Yemen. With the help of Open Doors partners, he provides meeting spaces for Christians and medical help and transport. He also gives out food, conducts baptisms and trains local leaders.
Martin Thomas, Senior Director for Christian broadcaster SAT-7 UK, said ‘SAT-7 ARABIC satellite and digital media programmes are a lifeline to believers there. This discrimination also manifests itself through the humanitarian crisis, as aid distributed through religious organisations is often diverted away from Christians. But despite this, SAT-7 viewers remain courageous’.
