Gone For Good
“I’ve lost it all,” David thought when he realized he was studying the Bible. As a Muslim, David immediately believed that he would not be granted entrance into heaven – it was gone for good!
David was a teen when, along with his family, he fled to Pakistan. Soon after arriving, his father insisted that David study English. David met an American who was willing to teach him, but his teacher never told him that their textbook was a Bible.
When David came to understand what he was studying, he felt betrayed. Furious, he set out to find his teacher’s house with the intent of hurting him because he know that he had lost any chance of entering heaven! When he finally found it, he called his teacher terrible names and stormed off.
Later, after David had time to reflect, he decided that since he had already lost so much, he might as well learn more about the Bible.
David returned to his teacher’s home and requested that they study together again. With a different perspective, David began to understand the God of the Bible’s unfailing love and the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However what really attracted David to Jesus was how believers loved each other and those around them.
Previously, David had only seen fighting and bickering, but the love of those who followed Christ and their compassion for refugee families had a great impact.
David was baptized in 1985 along with his brother. While his mother wished that her sons had not become followers of Christ and feared that they would now go to hell, she did not oppose their decision. David did not experience any persecution from his family because his parents were very open people who even welcomed Christians into their home.
On the Move Again
In 1986, David and his family had to leave Pakistan. They moved to Germany, where his dad said that they would be honest with the government about their situation, they had lied enough. The German police hired a translator to interview the family, and it was soon discovered that this translator was a former student of David’s father. This made the immigration process easier; it was evident that God was going before David and his family.
After a couple of weeks in Germany, David worked up the courage to go to church, though he felt out of place because he didn’t have the proper clothes. Eventually he settled in a Mennonite Brethren Church. It was a quiet church, with no clapping and laughing — very different from what David was used to. However in this church he learned to pray and grew in his walk with God.
A New Job in a New Land
One day some people approached David about getting involved in Afghan ministry, though it meant yet another move, this time to Canada. David agreed and in 1992 he joined a Christian mission agency to begin recording radio broadcasts. His first broadcast was to the Republic of Seychelles; since then David has produced thousands of programs that have been broadcast to many countries. As David’s ministry expanded, he started a magazine and had the opportunity to meet more Afghan and Persian believers.
Packing Once More
About a year ago, David and his wife, Marie, transitioned to the United States to minister to Muslim refugees.
These refugees have deep wounds and are grieving their losses. They need someone who will wipe their tears and hold their hands, so hours are spent listening to them. David and Marie genuinely care for and love their refugee friends, and treat them with dignity and sincerity. David believes that it is not their job to convert the refugees, just share the love of Jesus through their actions, allowing the Holy Spirit to do his work.
David would like to see the church in North America more involved in reaching out to Muslims and encourages believers not to focus on evangelism but on making friendships. He cautions: Don’t make people a project! Build genuine friendships so the friendships can stand under the weight of the truth of the gospel when it is shared.
While there are many joys, ministry is not without its challenges. It is difficult for the refugees to adapt to their new life in America. Also, to see people’s hearts change so that Jesus is at the center of their lives takes time. In spite of all of this, working with the refugees is the most rewarding ministry David has ever had.
Years ago when David discovered he was studying the Bible, he thought his life was over, that he had lost everything. He has since discovered, through his relationship with Jesus Christ, that he has actually gained everything!
A personal relationship with the true living God, who called him to serve Muslims around the world and to be a part of impacting their lives for eternity! There is no greater joy than following and serving Jesus!
David and Marie are looking for people, young and more mature in years, to join them in their demanding ministry. Look for various opportunities
to minister to refugees and serve alongside David and his wife.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
