Jan 8, 2025 The Missing Puzzle Piece

Ezra grew up in a devout Islamic family, where religious teachings shaped every aspect of his life from a young age. He lived out the demands of his faith with sincerity and commitment. Yet, despite his deep practice of Islam, there was a lingering sense of emptiness, a feeling that something inside him was missing.  

No matter how devoted he was, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a deeper connection to God that he hadn’t yet discovered. 

Then, one day, something unexpected happened. 

Ezra recalls the moment when a QHM gospel worker came to his home. Initially, he thought the visit was merely a conversation between the gospel worker and his parents, who had known him for some time.  

He found himself in another room, listening to what they were discussing. The conversation centered around the Bible—a topic he had little exposure to. The more Ezra listened, the more his curiosity grew. 

Something in the gospel workers’ words stirred his heart, prompting him to leave the room and join the discussion. 

The gospel worker explained concepts from the Bible—topics like food, drink, and the Sabbath—that were entirely new to Ezra. These ideas offered a fresh perspective on faith, unlike anything he had encountered. It felt as though God was revealing something new to him, a path that might lead him to a deeper understanding of who He was. 

As the Sabbath approached, Ezra felt a strong pull to experience worship differently. The warm and welcoming missionaries invited him to join them at the Adventist church. He decided to attend. 

“I learned so much that day,” Ezra said. “Every lesson felt like a puzzle piece fitting into place, revealing a clearer picture of God’s plan for my life.” 

Ezra’s newfound curiosity didn’t stop after his first church visit. Over the following days, he dove deeper into studying the Bible, reading Adventist spiritual books given to him by a church member in his village.  

The support and encouragement he received from his newfound faith community were invaluable. 

“They (local church members) were very supportive and continued to motivate me not to stop learning,” said Ezra. “The strongest encouragement came from the gospel worker, who always reminded me of the importance of having a personal relationship with God through His Word.” 

Emboldened by this new understanding, Ezra felt a strong calling to accept Jesus as his personal Savior. 

“I feel that my desire to know God more deeply is growing. I have begun to realize that Jesus Christ is the answer, and He is the Savior I have been looking for,” said Ezra. 

This decision, however, wasn’t an easy one. Coming from a Muslim background and considering his family’s beliefs, the choice to embrace a different faith was daunting. Yet, despite the challenges, Ezra believed that God was guiding him toward His truth. 

With courage and conviction, Ezra made the life-changing decision to be baptized into the Adventist faith.  

“I pray that the steps I take forward will be filled with faith and strength, knowing that God’s love is always with me,” he says. “I know that in Christ, I find true peace and life.”