Joseph Ahmed

It is rare to turn on the news and not hear about terrorist bombings in Iraq, terrorist plots being averted, and the endless number of terrorist cell groups operating in Europe, Asia and Africa. There is also a growing concern over the rapid growth of radical Islamic groups in Africa. It is currently estimated that there are over 1.2 billion Muslim followers around the world and that Islam is growing at a rate of 19% within the continent of Africa.

While world governments try to battle terrorism with boycotts, embargos, economic sanctions and military force, terrorist attacks continue to increase. In Africa attacks on Christian groups have doubled since 2005. Nigeria is one of the countries in the forefront of this struggle. Currently nineteen northern states in Nigeria came under Sharia (Islamic) law. Not only is this a violation of freedom of religion, which is guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution, but it creates an environment of fear and persecution for those who would embrace Christianity.

While the world is pressing for political, social and economic changes that will change the planet we live on, our brethren are making a difference by fighting the battles on the front line. The Lord’s church in Nigeria understands that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Here is one example – Umar Ahmed.

Brother Ahmed was born on May 14, 1974 in the Gusau, Zamfara State in northern Nigeria. Four years ago, Zamfara state was one of those that came under Sharia law. When Umar decided to study the Bible with some Christians he was so fiercely persecuted by his father that he had to flee to Lagos for protection. Even this presented problems. Umar Ahmed was a Fulani man. Both his physical appearance and accent gave him away. There was a Hausa/Fulani community near the church, and they began asking why a Fulani boy was living at the church.

In August of 2001, the church provided safe passage for Umar to WNCC to study the Bible. It was here that he was fully convinced of the gospel and baptized into Christ. As is the tradition in Nigeria he was given a Christian name – Joseph. The teachers at WNCC said that Joseph had an analytical mind and asked more questions than any other student. During his time at the college Joseph was often assigned to congregations in Hausi/Fulani communities for his internship. During this time he converted another of his kinsman in Osiele and another two at Agege. He returned to the Amukoko church in Lagos, served as an assistant to the preacher and later served as the local preacher in that church.

Brother Joseph has become one of the more respected preachers in Nigeria. He soon plans to marry “Comfort,” another Muslim convert. Joseph’s prayer is that he can reconcile with his family in Gusau and that God will use him to bring several of his kinsman to Christ.
Joseph Ahmed is just one example of the great work that is being done in African Christian Schools. His story could be repeated about other evangelists who have been converted from Islam, animism, ancestral worship and denominationalism.