“I became an agnostic at the age of five when I discovered Father Christmas wasn’t real,” our new British friend Andrew told us as we sat across a table from him at a fellowship lunch in an Adventist church in a Middle Eastern country. “I determined I would never, ever believe in something I could not see.” Andrew went on to share how, as he grew older, he turned his younger brother and sister into agnostics as well, something he now regrets as they are still very anti-God. Raised in a home where his father was a devout Anglican and his mother a humanist, Andrew became very confused about what truth was.

At the age of 18, he went to university determined to drink, smoke and have a good time with young women. These things did not give him the fulfillment he expected. He dabbled in various religions, including Buddhism, looking for some meaning and purpose in life. He eventually became a Muslim and travelled to a Middle East country where he married a Muslim woman in a grand wedding ceremony.

“I became fanatical about my religion,” said Andrew. “I was determined that I would do my part to get rid of infidels.”

“So how did you end up here, sitting across the table from me in an Adventist church?” I asked.

“I became extremely ill while I was in the capital city,” said Andrew. “As I lay there, I realized that always at the back of my mind I’d had a thought that God might exist. I began to talk to Him. ‘God, I’m confused about what is truth. If You are there, if You do exist, help me discover truth.’”

I was engrossed in Andrew’s story. “And?” I probed.

“Well, I discovered the Gospel, and I was saved,” Andrew stated simply. “I am so thankful for God’s grace.”

“How did becoming a Christian impact your wife?” I asked.

“It was a risky thing,” responded Andrew. “I knew there was a very real possibility that her family might kill me. When I told my wife what had happened, her response shocked me. She told me she had never really believed in Islam but had acted faithful to please her parents.”

“That’s amazing!” I said. “Is she now a Christian?”

“Not yet. I think she is at the point where she is feeling conviction about sin, but she has not yet accepted God’s grace. I think she is having trouble accepting that salvation is so simple.”

“Where do you worship?” I asked Andrew. He had been welcomed as a visitor, so I knew he was not an Adventist.

“I worship in the city with a group of Christian believers who had to leave their own countries because of persecution. There are 25 of these churches in this country.”

It was Andrew’s turn to ask me some questions. “Have you always been a Seventh-day Adventist Christian?”

“Yes,” I replied. “I was raised in a home where both my parents were Adventists. In fact, my father was an Adventist pastor. However, there came a time in my life when I had to accept Christ for myself.”

“Many of my Christian friends are a bit skeptical about Seventh-day Adventists,” said Andrew. “They lump you in with Jehovah’s Witnesses and other such groups. I’m not an expert on Seventh-day Adventists, but I have never found any of you to be that way. I enjoy coming here from time to time.”

“We believe very much that salvation is a gift of God’s grace,” I said.

“Jesus said, ‘If you love me, keep my commandments,’” quoted Andrew. I was surprised to hear him quote this verse and wondered what was going through his mind. Was he beginning to recognize the importance of the Sabbath? I didn’t know.

Our conversation was halted prematurely when some ladies invited me to join them for an afternoon meeting, and Andrew said he had better be going. It had been an amazing conversation. I had certainly not expected to meet someone from my country at a fellowship lunch in this Middle Eastern country.

Talking later with some of our friends, I learned that Andrew had not been to church for many weeks. “I don’t know what prompts him to show up from time to time. He just seems to enjoy fellowship with other Christians, and the folk here make him feel welcome.”

I don’t know what prompted Andrew to come that particular Sabbath, but I was certainly glad for the opportunity to meet him and hear his amazing story. I will be praying that the Holy Spirit will guide Andrew into all truth, and his wife, too. Please join me in that prayer. —Pauline Allcock

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