کلیسای اوکلاهما خراسان

I was born into a Muslim family and grew up with deep respect for the prophets, wondering how they, as human beings, could connect so closely with God. Inspired by this, I sought a similar connection through Islam but found myself unfulfilled, leading me to question if followers of other religions experienced a closer relationship with their Creator. My journey for truth began in 2007 when I first heard the Gospel through an Iranian Christian satellite broadcast. Initially, I was angered by the claim that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, as this belief conflicted with my understanding. Yet, a persistent voice within me asked, "If you are seeking the true God, why are you so upset? Find out why He is called the Son of God." Setting aside my prejudice, I continued to listen, discovering a message of God’s love that was unlike anything I had encountered before. Over the next seven months, I watched the broadcasts, my questions answered through each message. When I decided to surrender to Jesus, I faced a spiritual battle of doubt and fear, feeling torn between Islam and Christianity. One night, after hearing a testimony from someone who had overcome similar doubts, I prayed for Jesus to reveal Himself to me. In that moment, I felt His presence and assurance, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. With a newfound faith but no one to baptize me, I took myself to a river, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Later, in 2009, as I connected with other Afghan believers, I learned that baptism is an outward symbol of our commitment, not a means of salvation. That May, I was formally baptized by a fellow Afghan believer in Mazar. In 2009, we planted a house church in Herat. The following year, I was arrested, tortured, and threatened with death for spreading the Gospel. After a month in prison, I was released but forced to flee with my family to Pakistan for safety. After a year, we returned to Afghanistan, where I continued ministry in Kabul, leading a house church until August 2021, when the Taliban regained control, forcing us to flee to the United States. In Oklahoma, I felt a calling to plant a church for Afghan believers. I prayed, and God answered by allowing us to establish a church here. Today, I serve as pastor, leading weekly services, Bible studies, and discipleship meetings for Afghan believers in our community. My wife, Suson, and I have been blessed with five children—three sons and two daughters—as well as four grandchildren. Together, my wife and I are also studying theology to deepen our understanding of the Word. We thank God for this opportunity to share the Gospel among Afghans and serve the growing church here in Oklahoma.