Yasmine* is a dedicated Christian woman and Haggai leader with a vision. In her North African country, sharing the Gospel is complicated by a social and cultural landscape shaped by the prevailing non-Christian majority religion, followed by more than 99% of the country’s population. 

But through her work with Haggai, Yasmine has learned that she doesn’t always need to speak loudly to make an impact. She often prays with people, checks on them by phone, sometimes twice a day, and shares encouraging words from the Bible. Whether through a visit or a simple conversation, Yasmine brings the presence of Jesus to those around her.

One of the most powerful things Yasmine’s learned is how to live out the Gospel in everyday relationships, specifically with friends and family members who don’t share her beliefs. 

A powerful example of Yasmine’s influence comes from within her own family and people she’s met along the way. During visits to her father’s home, she interacted with her sisters-in-law, both of whom were adherents to the region’s majority religion. At first glance one sister appeared to be deeply committed to her religion, but she would secretly watch Yasmine, skeptical yet curious.

As she observed Yasmine’s peaceful spirit and how she approached family issues with prayer, she became deeply intrigued. She confessed to Yasmine, “I want to be like you.” That moment opened a door. Yasmine shared the Gospel with her and began praying for her in difficult situations. Her sister-in-law has not yet fully become a follower of Christ due to familial pressure, but she openly asks for prayer for her family and tells others about Yasmine’s faith. Her heart is softening, and the seeds of Christ are growing.

A similar situation unfolded with Yasmine’s friend and neighbor, a woman married to a Christian but not yet one herself.  Burdened by a painful family situation, she found a confidant in Yasmine. Through their conversations, she began to see the love of Christ, not just in words but in how Yasmine treated her husband and children.

“I wish I could be like you,” the woman once said. Yasmine shared the Gospel, prayed with her, and offered guidance. Over time, the woman began to experience transformation, and today, Yasmine is counseling her friend as she prepares to be baptized.

Yasmine’s life is powerful. As a female Christian in a male-dominated, majority non-Christian culture, she faces an uphill battle in sharing her beliefs. But instead of leveraging a large platform, she is creating a ripple effect of personal, one-on-one discipleship, and testifying to her Creator by the way she lives her life.  People often ask her, “Why are you so different?” And that’s when she points to Jesus, The One who changed her.

*name changed for security purposes 

Written by Allie Robinson