“In Jesus’ Name,” my mother would often call me by the nickname she gave me.
I grew up in a loving Islamic family. Though my family taught me to love God and to pray and sent me to a Quran school, I did not find the power in Islam to help me break my ungodly lifestyle and my addictions as a youth. Desiring freedom, God sent me information by bringing me in touch with the gospel of Christ. Shortly after, I found a power which hitherto I did not have. And I broke free!
“I want you to be a missionary.” A silent voice said to me and grew stronger in my head.
Questions poured into my bewildered heart. What was this about? I understood God was calling me into some missionary work, but I could not wrap my mind around the terrifying idea. For the next year, I felt like Jacob who was wrestling with God because he feared for his life.
In 2015, the first time the Holy Spirit convicted me to become a missionary, I ended up in a hospital bed for two weeks, wondering what to do with the endless questions about my life and my family whom I dearly love. I wanted to give back to them for all their love and sacrifice in giving me a good education, but how could I do that as a missionary?
At this time, Nigeria was in a lingering economic crisis and that meant hard times for everyone. The idea of being a missionary scared me to death! I held a graduate degree. I had a good job with the federal government. Life was quite promising.
I tried valiantly to quiet the voice by reasoning that every Christian was a missionary, though in my heart, I knew God was calling me to a life of dedicated service outside of my comfort zone and nominal Christian life. Rather than obey, I took a 3-day intensive literature evangelism course and went back to my job. After work, I would spend time visiting people to share literature and the gospel with them. I also took literature to work and shared with my colleagues. I tried terribly hard to quiet my conscience!
But with God’s help and much prayer, I broke free from my paralyzing fear and sought after God’s true purpose and freedom. I resigned from my job and stepped out in faith into the unknown. Providentially, God led me to Elim Lands Missionary Initiative where I trained in medical missionary work for the next year, including having internships in three different places. For my internships, I spent time at Little Laids Restaurant in Ibadan, African Medical Missionary Institute in Porthacourt, and Ishaka Adventist Hospital Lifestyle Centre in Uganda. During this time, life was challenging and the future seemed uncertain. But God remained faithful to me and through His grace, I held on valiantly to His promises.
Two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul declared, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:8).
Two years after my leap of faith, God opened the doors for me to study media ministry at Hartland College in the United States on a missionary scholarship. Today, doors are opening for missionary work in Nigeria, where I personally see a huge potential for the proclamation of the three angels’ messages—the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14. The time for preparation for the soon return of Jesus Christ seems very ripe in Nigeria, as it does in other parts of the world.
Every day, I am progressively discovering God’s will for my life as a missionary. And life has never been more meaningful, happy, and fulfilling!
