A pastor in Uganda was assaulted after 37 Muslims decided to follow Christ in a theological debate with the Muslims.
Pastor Joins Theological Debate With Muslims
In an interview with Morning Star News, Living Stream Church of Christ Bishop Michael Okia shared a powerful testimony. He told the outlet about the time they “received an invitation letter from the sheikh of Nakaloke mosque.” The sheikh invited them for a theological debate with Muslims in the Nakaloke ward in Mbale city. They accepted the invitation, and the Bishop sent Pastor Arthur Asadi Babi and his team to the event.
Plüss, Antoine. (Photographer). (2018). Road in Mukono, Uganda [Photograph], Retrieved March 10, 2023, from: https://unsplash.com/photos/MsKv6HCQ0F0
According to the report, Pastor Arthur “presented a defense of Christianity using the Quran” at the debate on Feb. 9. He presented it with “responses from the Bible on the uniqueness of Christ as the Son of God and the only way to God the Father.”
Assaulted For Sharing The Gospel
Then the following day, the Pastor invited the Muslim crowd “to believe in Christ.”
“Surprisingly, 29 adults and eight children gave their lives to Christ Jesus, all Muslims,” Bishop Michael testified.
It was a powerful moment when these Muslims received the good news of the Gospel. But the 42-year-old had to pay the high price. Some Muslims viewed the moment as heresy and assaulted the Pastor. According to the report, some Muslims who recently accepted Christ “joined in on the beating.” The Pastor suffered a “neck injury, a broken leg, fractures in his hand and other injuries.”
“From nowhere, Muslims started throwing stones,” Pastor Arthur detailed. “And then with sticks and clubs attacked me by beating me. Including the new Muslim converts who had embraced the Christian faith. I was hit on my right hand and left leg while some tried to strangle me. One Muslim kicked me and injured my private parts, which is still in pain to date.”
Blessed Are The Persecuted For Jesus’ Sake
The incident landed the Pastor at a hospital in Mbale, Uganda.
It’s saddening to hear what happened to the Ugandan Pastor. But still, we praise God for his boldness to proclaim the Gospel in a dangerous place that led to the salvation of many. Just like what Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.”
Reference | Charisma News
Header Image: Bishop, Jeremy. (Photographer). (2020). Burning Newspaper [Photograph], Retrieved March 10, 2023, from: https://unsplash.com/photos/L0BKJk6LUnc
