Open hearts, hidden faith

“When we first went to Morocco in the early 1980s, Moroccans just had no concept that any Moroccan could ever be a Christian,” Rob, who now lives in Spain, explained. “They were 100 per cent Muslim, and the idea of any of them becoming a Christian was totally alien. 

“But there have been many who've come to Christ over the past 30 or 40 years. The newspapers have reported that negatively, of course, but at least they've reported it, so it's become known and there's a general awareness in Morocco that there are Moroccan Christians. It's no longer a foreign religion; it's actually become a Moroccan religion, which means it becomes a realistic option for them personally.” 

Operation World estimates there are about 2,000 Moroccan Jesus followers among a population of more than 38 million. The majority of these believers are secret believers. 

“Christian meetings have been very severely repressed and persecuted by the authorities,” Rob observes. “Most of those who follow Jesus don't meet with other believers at all; they just have contacts through social media. Some visit one another and meet informally from time to time but there certainly aren't any Moroccan churches officially recognised.”  

But there is hope. It is now easier for Moroccans to find out more about Jesus, largely through social media, but gospel TV, YouTube channels and websites can also be accessed in the country. 

Rob added, “The challenge is to help the thousands responding to these media to meet with other believers, to form local fellowships and begin to serve others with love, wisdom and humility. They also need to read the Word of God every day in order to grow in knowledge, faith and character.” 

Open to the gospel 

Rob said he has also found many Moroccan Muslims open to hearing about Jesus. 

“I think Muslims generally think if they're talking with Christians, it's going to be an argument, but I never get into an argument,” he explained. “Once we start talking, they are often pleasantly surprised. 

“I always start by offering a New Testament, saying it shows us the love of God in the life of Christ, who went everywhere helping people with their problems. And where we have freedom to do this, I think it's by far the best approach for Muslims, showing them this isn't a theological dispute about the Trinity or about corruption of the Bible or whether Jesus really died. Those are the things they expect you to talk about, but those are just negatives to them. 

“I prefer to tell them what a wonderful person Jesus was in this world and how He helped people with their problems. Everyone I meet has problems, and Islam doesn't help to resolve them. In fact, it adds to them, imposing obligations, things they must do. And it worries them that they are not doing enough to please God. Many young men carry an inferiority complex, a feeling of guilt, resentment, unresolved conflict with a brother or father, unemployment, hopelessness and loneliness. They've all got personal problems, so to show them how the Lord can help them with their problems is just so attractive, I think, to a Muslim.”  

One man told Rob, 'I have a particular problem.' “Tense and nervy,” Rob recalled, “he told me he is a Doctor of Psychology but has failed to find peace of heart or mind in psychology — or in Islam. Of course, I told him peace with God is the first step to peace with others and with oneself. When you are right with God, and His spirit of love fills you, then all kinds of problems begin to get resolved through personal faith in Christ. 

“So I speak of the Lord Jesus Christ as someone who helps people to be happier and to become better people. I think it's a wonderful bridge to the gospel. Then of course we can move on to the redemption He accomplished for us, bearing away all our failures, errors and offences, wiping the slate clean for all who will put their trust in Him.”