From Idolatry to Christ

In a rural village in Pakistan, where religious traditions run deep and conversion can bring social rejection or even danger, Suncha* was once known as a devoted Hindu religious leader. As a member of the Gujarati tribe, he regularly led idol worship at the local Mandir and performed rituals that demonstrated his commitment, including sacrificing goats and honoring Kali Mata. His dedication was public and intense, and he openly rejected anything connected to Jesus Christ. At the time, he carried deep hostility toward Christians and resisted every attempt to share the Gospel with him.

When a local believer began visiting Suncha and patiently teaching him from the Word of God, the message was met with indifference and even anger. A Bible given to him was received with visible hatred. In communities like his, religious allegiance defines identity and belonging, and abandoning ancestral gods can mean losing status, relationships, and protection. For Suncha, listening to the Gospel meant stepping into unfamiliar and risky territory.

Everything changed after he attended a prayer gathering in a nearby village where the Jesus Film was shown in the Gujarati language. That night, after three days of meetings, Suncha had a vision of Jesus Christ. In the vision, he heard the words, “You are the chosen one. I have chosen you; go and bear fruit.” When he awoke, something inside him was no longer the same. The man who once defended idol worship returned home and broke the idols and temple within his own house. It was a bold and costly decision, one that marked a complete break from his former life.

In villages where religious identity shapes every relationship, such a change rarely goes unnoticed. Suncha’s decision led to rejection and boycott from members of his own community. A few days ago, after hosting a small gathering to share about Christ, villagers distanced themselves from him. Yet instead of responding with bitterness, he chose to show love. During Christmas, he invited children from the village, offering food and kindness even to families who no longer welcomed him. Watching those children sit together and eat, you could see the quiet strength of a man whose heart had truly changed.

Suncha cannot read, but he listens faithfully to the audio Bible and continues to grow in his understanding of Scripture. He has now followed Christ for over a year and a half. By God’s grace, his wife has also accepted Jesus Christ, and both of them have been baptized. Together they are learning, serving, and standing firm despite opposition.

His story is a reminder that Christ reaches into places where idolatry and hostility once seemed unshakable. A former temple leader now listens daily to the Word of God and prays for the same village that rejected him. Through your prayers and support, believers like Suncha are strengthened to remain faithful and become lights in communities where the Gospel is not easily received.