- What were your educational stages? And what was the influence of your parents on your spiritual and service journey?
For you created my inmost being
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
Psalm 139:14-18
I was born in Juba on the 7th of July 1953. The South is really a beautiful part of Sudan. We enjoyed our childhood there very much. I still have some memories from my time in the Catholic nursery school in Juba under sister Francisca.
My father, Fahmi Suliman, was working with the Ministry of Education. He was inspector of elementary schools in the Equatorial province.
Around 1957-58 we moved to Omdurman where we lived in the family home. Then during that time, I went to the American Mission school which was about 1 km from our home, where I finished my elementary and the intermediate education.
In 1968 I joined Comboni College in Khartoum, where I finished my high school education.
In 1981 during my leadership of the OM team in Sudan, I went to Torch Bearers Bible School for 6 month in Sweden.
My parents had great influence on my life and upbringing by their godliness as they lived with integrity and generosity. Their involvement in church and faithfulness in attending the church and their contact with missionaries and having the three town Bible Study in our home as it moved from home to home. We faithfully attended church every Sunday and I was encouraged to go to the youth group in Omdurman. When we were small, we read the Bible sometime together as a family.
As children were never forced to go to church. We went naturally and it became a habit – we liked to do it. When I became a teen-ager, I remember my father gave me some Christian books to read about that stage of life.
In School and in the church, we got good basic teaching about Christianity, that gave us a healthy fear of God and respect for His Word. I thought all the time that I am a Christian. I felt I followed him and did not break His law and that I would earn my salvation by what I do.
Also, another thing which had an important part in my life was the conferences/camps in Gerief for children aged 9-12, 12-16 and then high school students. These conferences /camps played an important part to build in Christian values which protected us.
During my time in Comboni I focused more on my studies and sports. My church activities became more my religion, culture and values without the certainty of God existence! Realizing my imperfection and to clear my conscience I said in my mind – there is no God. But thinking about death and that everyone is going to die – For example, if I come to my city after 100 years, I will find no one I know – made me realise that life cannot really end by death. Because if it does, why should I not die now instead of suffering 30-70 years and then die.
The American Mission School shaped us with Christian values and Comboni College made us philosophers to see that there is no life without God.
- At what age did you start attending the Mission? Who directed you to the Mission meeting?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
In 1972 my father became the General Secretary of the Bible Society, and we moved to live on top of the Bible Society in the centre of Khartoum.
I started then to go to the mission and the youth group in Khartoum Evangelical Church. I was then 19 years old. As most of the ones who went to the Khartoum Evangelical also went to The Mission. So, I started to go to both. I do not remember really who encouraged me but there was cooperation between both. Also, I have to say that I used to come to Dar Al Nasher meeting on Thursday and Saturday where we played sports.
I was touched by the love, joy and close friendship people had in that SIM youth meeting. Also, I was touched by the teaching of Pastor Welling.
Maybe I went just 4-5 times after we moved and then there was a conference in Gerief done by Laila Murad after she came back from Dallas in Texas attending Expo 1972. It was organized by both the Evangelical Church in Khartoum and SIM. The leaders were Pastor Willing, Pastor Helmi Galdas from Khartoum Evangelical church, Laila Murad, Maher Fouad, Makram Morgos, Mimi, Nabil Zarief and Nadia.
In that conference I became a believer in Christ. I was born again as I realized I attain my salvation not through work but through the death of Christ on the cross and I gain life and change heart to live for Christ through his strength and my changed nature. I experienced an incredible peace and meaning for life touch by John 3;16, 10;10. God’s Love and His Abundant life is in Christ.
In the last day, after everyone left, a group of about 15-20 stayed and prayed the whole night. It was quite an experience for me.
I started to attend the SIM youth meeting on Friday evenings and the international Church in the SIM, where I got an incredible teaching from Darrel Welling on Friday and Sunday. On Friday we were also studying some of Navigators booklets in small groups. At the same time, we continued to go to the Khartoum Evangelical Church Friday and Sunday and Dar Al Nasher on Thursday as I was close friend with pastor Helmi Galdas.
- Mention some of the spiritual leaders in the mission who helped you with your spiritual growth?
Darell and Becky Welling played a big part, via their teaching, when I was single and when they came back again not so long before I got married. As a family we attended the Khartoum International Church, and it had great input in our lives as a family.
Loren and Susu Knox and of course the whole team which worked there in the mission.
Makram, Maher, Laila, Ibrahim Fathala, Mimi, Nadia and Nabil Zarief, Alfred William.
- Which Mission friendships have positively influenced your faith journey?
Makram, Susu, Maher, Laila and Samira Murad, Mimi, Fifi, Ibrahim, Nabil Zarif, Nabil Loyd, Adam, Yagoup, Alfred and John and the ones working with SIM.
Ann, the mother of Linda and Julie, meant a lot to me and the whole family, including cousins and relatives. She attended the SIM regularly and shared some books she had with me to read. We can say all the fellowship of the youth group meant a lot even later generations, Mofied, Najib Qurachi, the 2 Amanis and Mary.
- Which meetings did you attend? What attracted you most to Mission meetings?
Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how to [encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrew 18:23-25
The importance of meeting together:
We used to say – if you scatter the burning charcoal it will die.
I attended the youth meeting on Friday afternoon and the Sunday evening International Church meeting regularly.
I was attracted by the Bible teaching and Christian fellowship I experienced there. The friendship, love and care between the members.
- Which Mission friendships have you maintained to this day?
I have many friends from that period. But people have scattered all over the world, but we still keep in touch via social media. We continue to pray for one another (Just check my FB account). Some I have had the joy of meeting in person when I traveled to Australia, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Holland, Kenya, UK, US, Abu Dhabi and South Sudan.
- How have you benefited spiritually and socially from the Mission?
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
The fellowship and love and care I experienced there. The friendships and the Bible teaching had big part in shaping my spiritual life. The couple of months I attended helped me to decide to accept Christ during the conference I went to in Gerief in November 1972.
Also, it helped me to grow in my faith and in my relationship with God. Three months after my conversion I felt a clear call for full time ministry. The Mission played a part in that.
- The following three individuals repeatedly affirm that you encouraged and guided them to Mission meetings. A short message from you to each of them:
Brother Fathi Hakim? Brother Majid Benjamin? Brother David Nathan?
Fathi, Majid and David are dear brothers and friends. They were also colleagues in the ministry. They had great impact on my life. Encouraged me and supported me with what God called us to do. They shared with me the burden of the ministry. We were a team with many others who God raised to extend His Kingdom in Their His love and commitment to Christ was obvious.
Memorable times with Fathi was we did line-up for the summer team out reaches in Daba and Dongola. The only Christian in Dongola had a Bar selling Alcohol. Fathi’s love and commitment to God was obvious as I lived with him when were both single for a couple of years; he is my brother. Also, the amazing weekly prayer night in his home ended with magnificent meals early the next morning. His care and generosity to many. He is our ‘Barnaba’ the encourager. Hospitality. Love and care.
Majid developed the Christian book exhibitions and trained many in reaching Muslims and following them up. He also led and trained our boys team. He is our ‘Akilla and Priscilla’ knowledgeable of the scripture and apologetics passionate to reach Muslims. He set his heart to know the Word and obey it and teach it.
David was a great evangelist reaching out through weekly film shows and training our next generation of leaders. First, I met David in South Sudan. Stephen Tut recruited him to be on the truck team, and we did three great trips – 2 in the South visiting over 20 towns, and 1 all the way to Genina, Darfur. We visited over 4 cities in Darfur. For 3 months we lived on the truck and our trips originated from Juba. He is our ‘Philip’, having a servant heart like His Master Jesus. His meekness and humility are obvious.
- Kamal, you began your ministry at a young age and joined the “practical calling” on the Logos ship. Tell us about this period: How did your time on board influence your outlook on life and ministry?
I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
My time on the ship Logos had great impact on my life. The amazing love and trust I experienced from the ship community of 140 Christians, from 40 different nationalities and different Evangelical denominations. United in Christ old and young, women and men with different gifts and ministries as a body of Christ serving the master and building one another. That was possible through the work of God’s grace in our lives.
The godly, servant and graceful leadership I experienced and had.
The teaching we received every morning during the devotion time.
The prayer life on the ship and the amazing times we spend in prayer in the presence of God in the weekly prayer nights and different times of prayer.
The amazing interaction with the international body of Christ around the world in the different countries we visited experiencing the universality of the church and its manifestations in different cultures. We also had exposure to the needs of the world as we visited unreached countries with small Christian presence and witness.
Taking meetings in churches, spending time with local Christian families and getting involved in different kind of evangelism from open airs, literature distribution and personal evangelism. International nights. Visits to schools and film shows. All this was practical training, learning about the church and reaching the lost.
During my third month on the ship through a message by George Verwer, I made the decision to serve the Lord full time and during our time in India I felt God wants to start something like what OM has in India.
I spend about 20 months on the ship during which we visited the all the Gulf States, Ethiopia, the sub-continent of India 7 ports, Sri Lanka 2 ports, Malaysia west and east, Singapore, the Philippines 3 ports, Saigon and Bangkok Thailand. The ship made these visits between November 1973 and March 1975 under the leadership of George Miley, Frank Dietz and Captain Paget. The Chief Engineer was Micke Pioneer, the first officer was George …. ,Chief cock was Alfred and Harley Rollins was the Exhibition Manager. Ebo Burma was boss of the deck men. Pauline and Billy Jones; Pauline was the bookkeeper on the ship and Billy was the plumber.
All of these and the rest of the ship staff were like one family. The lives of individuals touched my life and nourished me spiritually and mentally. Our lives together in a community – Christ centered based on truth and grace – sharpened me as an individual as Proverbs 27:17 says, as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Add to that the richness and the diversity of the community from over 40 nations from different cultures, vocation, personalities and denomination was a school and a miracle.
Just a note: we had only 10 showers with limited amount of water for all the staff on the ship. The first 6 month I lived in a dorm in the bow of the ship with 13 others from 8 different countries.
When I joined the ship, I started with a 6-month training called IT (Intensive Training). The rest of my time on the ship I worked in the Book exhibition. My last three month I was under special training with Jack Rendel and helping with conferences.
- Before joining the ship, church ministry was largely confined within church walls, and denominational barriers were more pronounced between different denominations. You began a ministry that broke down these sectarian barriers, as well as those of tradition and culture. You traveled throughout Sudan, from the far north to the southernmost point. What motivated you to take this path? And at such a young age, did you foresee, with the eyes of faith, that the seeds you were sowing in every home across Sudan would bear fruit as we see today?
–Follow me I will make you fisher of men.
The world and its lust will pass away but the one who does the will of the God abides forever.
Do you hear the voice of God?
How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, “that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10: 8-15
-Jesus said follow me and I will make you fisher of men this is very crucial. The importance following God doing His will.
The world and its lust will pass away but the one who does the will of the God abides forever.
The third was the question from Bogous Avangian.
-Do you hear the voice of God?
The Word of God was rare and dear for 400 years until God called Samuel. He did not recognise His voice he thought Eli the priest was calling him. Then the Lord came and stood and called as at the other times: “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
Note;
I am not sure that that the Church ministry was confined to the walls of the church is completely true as the gospel was going out through the schools in Omdurman and Bahri, Unity in Khartoum and the hospitals and clinics in Abrouf by the Swiss and German Mission, CMS hospital in Omdurman. The SIM was reaching out through English classes. The Bible Society had individuals who sold Bibles at homes and even went to other towns. In Bahri there was training for women Evangelists who went and visited Christian and Muslim home taking the Gospel through social and health work and Bible studies. Dar Elnasher in the centre of Khartoum via the library, films, events and publishing a weekly magazine. In all these there were converts involved.
In 1975 there was already Prison ministry, and I attended a home church for converts Shaabia in Bahri.
It is important to hear God’s voice to know what He wants you to do with your life and to follow it and the rest comes. It is importantt to follow Him day by day. He said do not be anxious about tomorrow it is enough of the evil of today.
Do not Limit God:
We also should not limit God by doing what we can do for Him but to do what He wants us to do for Him. (what is needed to be done.)
Nehmia inspected the situation first – What is needed to be done?
We divided Sudan into three areas; Area 1; No Churches – Darfur and the Northern province, 99% Muslims
Area 2; The Churches were mainly in the main cities, 90% Muslim.
Area 3; the South of Sudan majority Christians.
We started to pray for churches to start where there were no churches. Where there are churches, people will reach out to where there is no churches in the North and that workers will come from the South to reach the North. We prayed for laborers.
How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard:
Faith come from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ. Roman 10:17
We need to take the Gospel to them. We started then with book tables in public places, Exhibition, door to door, film shows and the Lord open doors step by step and led us all the way and provided laborers to do the job.
Summer outreaches, when we sent out teams.
We cannot expect to harvest if we do not sow.
I was talking with the founder of the Founder Red Sea Team Lionel Gurney and said to him people say that our Evangelism is superficial. He said to me one of the reasons people in the Middle East did not believe is that they did not hear. If you do not sow you do not reap.
- Tell us about the Lord’s dealings with you: How did He call you to serve in the OM organization? What were the pivotal moments that shaped your calling?
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17
The world is passing away and, it’s lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever. 1 John 2:17
Six months after my conversion and 3 months after I got my call to full time ministry I was attending the Friday youth meeting in SIM. There was a retired missionary lady who worked in Sudan for many years sharing about her testimony and call for mission. What she shared touched me and God spoke to me through her message. After the meeting as I was walking from the SIM to Khartoum Evangelical Church for another meeting I wept bitterly and said to God I cannot make this decision to leave my nets without you changing me to say yes. I cannot do it myself. I need your help.
Five months later the Ship Logos visits Sudan.
During that time my father was sick with hepatitis after a trip of Scripture distribution in South Sudan for the Bible Society. One of the line-up people from the ships visited my father at home to prepare for the ship’s visit.
We did not know much about the ship. Only that all staff is Christian and that it is the largest Floating Book Exhibition in the World and that they have educational books, children, art, cooking and Christian books.
Also, that families were asked to host the staff of the ship who will come to Khartoum for the exhibition. They also planned for some church meetings and church leaders’ conferences.
They also announced that they needed some volunteers to help.
I joined as one of the volunteers. It was a beautiful opportunity to work with the staff and get to know them. It was encouraging to listen to their teaching and worship songs.
Our youth group even played a basketball match against the ship staff.
One evening one of the Sudanese young people was interested to join the ship. I led him to one of the ship staff, who said it is quite complicated to join. As you must join a fall conference in Europe before you join and it seems there is no possibility of joining from Khartoum.
That same evening, on Wednesday, I started to feel God wants me to join the ship for a time to decide what to do with my life. I started to struggle with that all Wednesday night and through Thursday.
Friday morning, we had a picnic for some of the staff of the ship with our youth group in SIM. We had it in the same beach (sheeta)I became a Christian. During the time in the picnic, I had time to speak with Pastor Welling about my call. Also, I shared the sense I had that God wants me to join the ship. I was in tears when I spoke with him. He prayed with me and shared with me from a booklet about how to find God’s will in your life. He also mentioned to me that these people aren’t so organized. He gave me the booklet and encouraged me to pray about it.
The same evening, we had our youth meeting in SIM. During the meeting they announced that anybody interested in joining the Ship Logos can meet Frank Diets and George Miley after the meeting in the garden of the SIM guest house.
After the meeting I went to look at the garden and see who was interested. Between the Guest house where the garden is and where the Chapel and the offices of the SIM were, there was a small green door. As I tried to cross through the door back to the chapel where I came from stood one of the missionaries. He said to me: Where are you going? I heard you were interested in joining the ship. I said I need to check with my parents before I decide on this. He said, “You can check with them later. This is the only chance to meet these leaders.” So, I turned back and joined the meeting. There were a number of ladies who were interested in joining and one more fellow.
If I had not met this missionary, I may not have been doing what I am doing today.
For me the ship staff said I am young, in both my age and my faith. I was only 11 months Christian then.
I said in my heart to God I have done what you have told me, but they rejected me. So, it is not my problem but theirs.
On Saturday they changed their mind. They asked me to get recommendation letter from Pastor and provide the cost of return ticket from Ethiopia in case it does not work out for me or them to be on the ship during the time there.
My father gave the green light for me to go with the ship and was willing to pay for my air fare ticket from Ethiopia. At the beginning my mother was not happy that I go but I prayed if God want me to go He should change her mind. She also changed and gave me her blessing to go.
On Sunday I added all countries to my passport. The day after on Monday I left to Port Sudan with the ship team by train.
- As the leader, for many years, of the “Practical Outreach” team in Sudan, tell us how the team members participated and interacted with the Mission’s ministries.
We have encouraged every team member to be part of a local National church, and to attend it regularly. We encouraged the foreigners to attend the Khartoum International Church in SIM additional to the Arabic speaking church they go to.
Our vision also was to mobilise the church to reach out, and the Mission had many labourers.
SIM was always supportive and encouraged by prayer by teaching in our conferences and using their property for some of our activities.
A number from the members of the youth meeting led our teams or participated in the out reaches or exhibitions.
- The Mission and Practical Outreach are both ministries that bring together people from all denominations to serve the Lord and spread the faith. How has this approach helped connect the body of the Lord and extend His reach to more souls?
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mathew 28:18-20
As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
Praying and worshiping bring people together, working together in teams, and Biblical teaching bring people together.
The camps in Gerief and conferences played an important part in this.
The outreach teams and Book Exhibitions played major part in this. As it gathered people with different gifts to work together and some discovered new gifts, they did not know that they had.
There was a place for everyone to serve. Cooking, cleaning, setting things, selling tickets and books, arranging crowds of visitors, singing, praying music, decorating, driving sharing personal testimonies, learning to share the gospel, showing films, talking with people, preaching, praying, leading games.
The best way to learn is through practicing. Children learn through imitating adults. Christianity is living.
- 14. After the confiscation of the Mission building in Khartoum and the dispersal of most of its generations across the five continents, what are the benefits of reviving the Mission’s message through a website we plan to launch soon, a companion to the Mission Generations Facebook page?
Network is one of the key things for world mission, for helping one another and praying for one another and connecting different ministries together.
There is incredible resources and ministries of Sudanese all over the world.
Quite a number of individuals leading organization, churches, teaching in seminaries and leading different Christian initiatives.
This will be great resource in many areas to the work in Sudan or abroad
We hope and pray that the SIM property will be recovered in the coming future and the ministry will start again there.
- What advice would you give to a young man or woman who wants to pursue missionary work?
Romans chapter 12 is helpful.
Verse 1 and 2 say.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
We must realize that we are all missionaries wherever we are. Mathew 28:16-20
If we feel that we want to pursue missionary work, we must be assured of our calling from God and count the cost. Confirming our call will help us when the going get difficult. That He is One who called us.
There is nothing better in life than doing God’s will. He clearly tells us why you call me Lord, Lord and you do not do what I ask you to do.
We need to know God speaks to us. We need to ask Him. What do you want me to do with my life?
He speaks? Moses spoke with God as man speak with his friend. Moses spent time with God to the extendt that his face lit. Spend time with him and His Word. His Word is crucial in guiding us.
It is the lamp for our feet. Be active in a local church.
You can go for a short-term mission. Pray for which country and which Mission. Follow him day by day then you will be sure you are going in the right direction. Because if you are not following him today you are not going in the right direction. God knows the past, the present and the future. Therefor he knows the best direction for you today. If you are not going in the right direction you need to make a U turn.
- 16. Looking back, what are the biggest challenges of missionary life in Sudan?
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Mathew 13:38 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Mark 6: 5-6
There is a lot of challenges in Sudan for mission; tribalism and division, lack of resources, difficulty of transport and vastness of the land – half the size of Europe, over 300 languages, illiteracy, war and lack of freedom because of Islamic rule and fear. But our Lord overcome all this because what is impossible to man is possible to God. Despite all this God is building His Church in Sudan because He loves Sudan his people trusted him. (had faith in Him) and the gates of hell will not prevail against it
This is my experience with the Christians of Sudan.
The Story of the Sudanese Christians is expressed very powerful in the words of George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, who, during his visit to Sudan in 1995, described the Church as “the Crucified Church.” It is applicable today.
If there is one thing that stands out in our experience of the Sudanese Church, it is that even though the problems are enormous, the wounds are so deep, still Sudanese love and praise their God. Perhaps it is truly because, ‘God is your only strength and hope, a very present help in trouble.’ It is that confidence, and the joy which flows from it which you Sudanese bring to the world–wide Church.
We the Anglican Communion are deeply thankful for your witness. Your faith and rejoicing in the lord. If our first impression of Sudan may be tragedy, our last impressions are of the triumph of Christ Crucified and raised from the dead.
- Looking back, how has your time at the Mission shaped your current view of God, people, and ministry?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 That God loves me and that He has a great plan for me. Jesus said My food is to do the will of My Father; The importance of doing God’s will.
We have seen and testified that the Father has sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14 The importance of being a witness. If you have a family, you should live like Peter not like Paul.
- If you could go back in time, what would you do differently, and why?
Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13
I only regret the times I did not do the will of the Lord. As I said before, the world and its lust will pass away but the one who does the will of God abides forever. As Paul said it is important to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead and to trust God to work all thing for our good as His word say.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
- What do you consider your most enduring legacy of missionary service?
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
The importance of hearing Gods voice and obeying it
The grace of God.
God is the One who brings the growth.
Our labour in the Lord is not in vain.
- In a few words, tell us how the Lord guided you to establish the ministry “Set My People Go to Worship Me” and the fruits of this ministry.
Where It All Started: I was in Yemen for a visit in 2007 when I had a Bible study with a Yemeni married couple, former Muslims in their mid-30s. The husband became a believer when he was 19. His father became a Christian before him. His wife’s father also came to know the Lord after someone prayed for him and his knee was healed and he was able to walk.
Even though both generations are Christians, their faith must be secret – otherwise they will be harassed, imprisoned, possibly have their children taken away from them, and sometimes even killed.
He told me: “Kamal, I want you to speak with my son tomorrow, as I want him to take Islamic classes in school mainly as a subject.” (otherwise, the whole family will face problems, and the son will not be able to pass his exams)
The next day I met the son, a 13-year-old tender and sweet teenage boy, together with the father. My heart was broken as I thought of what this boy has to go through. They are third generation Christians but still have no freedom to practice their faith as former Muslims. The boy is forced to take Islam as a religion in school, not to mention the pressure the family is going through. They don’t have the right to exist!
Yemen Is Not the Only Place
I thought of Mehdi Dibaj in Iran. After the 1979 Iranian revolution he encountered difficulties. In 1983 he was arrested and imprisoned without trial in Sari and systematically tortured. He was finally tried by an Islamic court in Sari on 3 December 1993 and sentenced to death on charges of apostasy. At his trial Dibaj declared, “I am not only satisfied to be in prison for the honour of His Holy Name, but I am ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus my Lord.”
Following a worldwide outcry initiated by his friend and colleague Bishop Haik Hovsepian Mehr, Dibaj was finally freed in January 1994, although the death sentence was not lifted. Just three days later, Haik Hovsepian Mehr was abducted and murdered. Dibaj was abducted on Friday, 24 June 1994. His body was found in a west Tehran park on Tuesday, 5 July 1994.
I thought of Hussein Qambar in Kuwait. In 1996 after six months in the limelight of unprecedented international advocacy, Hussein Qambar Ali, a Muslim convert to Christianity, fled his native Kuwait to an undisclosed location in the United States.
I thought of Abbul Rahman in Afghanistan. Born in 1965 he is an Afghan citizen who was arrested in February 2006 and threatened with the death penalty for converting to Christianity. On 26 March 2006, under heavy pressure from foreign governments, the court returned his case to prosecutors, citing “investigative gaps”. He was released from prison to his family on the night of 27 March. On 29 March, Abdul Rahman arrived in Italy after the Italian government offered him asylum.
I thought of my Jordanian friend Daniel and his wife who couldn’t bring their children to church as they were afraid to be discovered. His children were not allowed to take Christian classes in school even if the school is Catholic and the parents are believers.
I thought of Mahmoud Mohammed Taha, (1909 – 1985) also known as Ustaz Mahmoud Mohammed Taha, a Sudanese thinker, leader and engineer. He has revolutionary ideas about the second message of Islam. The regime of Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry executed him for his views, for which he had been accused of apostasy. He was executed in Sudan at the age of 76.
I thought of Al Fakhi who was in prison in Sudan for 18 months, only released after he got a stroke and left half-paralyzed. He was not able to raise his family of seven children who also followed his new faith.
I thought of Lena Joy, a former Muslim from Malaysia, who is in hiding because of death threats. The Malaysian government forbids her to change her religion on her identity card.
I thought of my two nieces, whose father is a Muslim, who were moved as refugees to other countries because they married Christians.
I thought about the convert who was abused and raped in prison in Egypt as she was stopped from leaving the country. She used a forged passport since they are not allowed to change religion in their identity cards, so they must use deceased Christian’s identities.
All this raised rage in me. They do not have the right to exist! They are under a lot of pressure and threat of being discovered. They lose family and must leave their homeland which they love. I am amazed at the pressure our brothers and sisters from a Muslim background are faced with daily.
This is how the thought of doing something about it came to me, as God has burdened my heart more and more for the situation of my brothers and sisters from Muslim background.
The Time Has Come for This to Change!
Over 1.3 billion Muslims in the world don’t have the freedom to change their religion.
We have to push for the application of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Articles 18 and 19.
Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
The whole world stands up when people are asked not to be veiled or build minarets. Here they lose everything and nobody says anything. We encourage them to stay in their countries, but they are not allowed to exist or live as non-Muslims. If you are born as a Muslim, you must die a Muslim. This is why I felt we have to work for the removal of the Apostasy law, and for equality and justice for converts. As Edmund Burke said, “For evil men to triumph, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.”
To Grant FREEDOM of RELIGION to all Muslim peoples:
- To convert to a religion of their choice
- To worship
- To raise their children in their new faith
- To marry freely (for both men and women from a Muslim background to marry someone of a different faith)
In a prayer meeting with some friends, they gave us this verse from Exodus 9: “Set my people free to worship me”, as we shared with them the burden we have in our hearts and this was the name we gave this network – Set My People Free.
We Want to Raise Awareness
We are raising the awareness around the world about the injustices converts to Christianity are facing in what is known as the Muslim world. I think it is important to expose injustices and as we are telling truth it helps to set people free. If we are quiet, we are part of the problem. The difference between us and other human rights groups is not only a human rights movement, but also a civil rights movement. We are going to use all peaceful means to change the situation. We are very influenced by William Wilberforth and Martin Luther King, Jr. Love is going to be our motto. We see a lot of parallels between our struggle and their struggle.
- 21. Today you work with an organization working to abolish the apostasy law. Tell us about the Lord’s dealings with you at this stage, how He led you to this place, and what message you feel you are called to carry now?
I have given and elaborated answers to the previous question about how SMPF started. This year we have been in operation for 16 years. We registered in Sweden in 2011 officially working to abolish the Apostasy and the Blasphemy laws in Islam as they violate Article 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In 2020 I ended my leadership of the organization SMPF. My daughter Hulda was chosen to be the new international director. She holds master’s degrees in law and journalism and is dedicated to seeing these laws repealed.
She has done incredible work to enlarge the network and mobilised many non-governmental organization and states to get involved in this.
Now I am more working part time on supporting the organisation to fulfil it purpose statement. Still having the same passion to see these laws abolished and the churches recognised in places like Yemen, Libya, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.
We are focusing on the churches to be opened in Algeria
Still is a crime to leave Islam in 26 countries. In 11 of them you have death sentence to leave Islam.
- A word to each of the following fellow servants: Brother Nabil Zarif, Sister Christine Fahmi, and
for the soul of George Verwer
Brother Nabil Zarif: He is dear brother and friend and was of the leaders who have helped me to grow during my time in the mission through his example and love for the Lord and his passion to reach people for Christ. He runs his race well. He also helped us in the different exhibitions we had specially the Floating Holy Bible Exhibitions. He is one of the veterans of the mission who was passionate in reaching souls for Christ.Later before he left for Egypt, he asks to help run the work he started in the prison of Kouber where he even helped to build a church inside the prison.
Sister Christine Fahmy: House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14. My dear wife and love Christina was gift from God to me as proverbs says the prudent wife is from the Lord. The dictionary meaning of prudent is wise, well judged, judicious, sagacious, sage, shrewd, advisable, well advised, politic, sensible, commonsensical and this very true in her. She is knowledgeable in many areas. Her nursing degree has helped her as a family to be healthy. Especially we had twins first. She even helped the team and our neighbors. She is godly and graceful, calm and patient. Her love and grace for me as a short-tempered person was amazing. Her temperament was very helpful when I had problems with security. She calmly dropped me at the security and left me for interrogation for couple of hours several times without any worry. Once in during the Arab Spring, I was in a conference most people left to go back to their families in the country we were living. I asked her by phone if I should come back. She said: “finish the conference, there is no danger. She is also our theologian she has master’s degree in theology even she is an ordained pastor; this was helpful to keep on track. She taught in the Seminary in Sudan and a bible school in Cairo and oversaw training in the MENA area for some time.
Sometime after we moved to Jordan in 1995 up to now, she has been doing my secretarial work and Logistic. We worked always as a team. The importance thing She loved me. Plus, she was a good cook. Home was always an oasis for me. Hospitality was part of family culture as we had visitors from all walks of life and countries. She also coped with my travel schedule. When I was MENA Area coordinator I traveled about 115 days every year. We did this for 15 years. We lived in three different countries a family 9 years in Sudan, 9 years in Jordan and 10 years in Egypt. This year 2026 we have been married 40 years on June the 14. Her love and commitment to the Lord to serve Him in a foreign land adopting a different culture and to life there. Her love and support for me and the children were crucial for me and the family to survive and blossom.
Brother George Verwer: Founder of Operation Mobilisation. It had great impact on my life. He is man who walked the talk. Lived a life revolutionary love with great passion for the lost and commitment to the word of God. With great vision to give each human being a chance to hear the Gospel with his emphasis on prayers and mobilising the church and making disciples from all the nations, love grace and forgiveness, flexibility and simple lifestyle. Incredible trust on God who answers prayers, prayed for unreached prayed for resources, and prayed for labourers. I listened to his preaching ion orientation tapes before I met him on revolution of love, commitment and grace. It revolutionized my life. When I met him on the ship Logos in Bander Abbas in Iran November 1973 I was touched by his humility, humanity and care for us. Met with as individually prayed with us. He exercised with us every morning and joined us running a mile.
His friendship with me continued from November 1973 till he passed away in April 2023. Writing letters to us, meeting us and praying for me and my family. He visited us in Sudan when the work started there.
- A final word, a question I wished or expected to ask you but was omitted from the list?
How the work of OM started in Sudan?
Returned to Khartoum and the Telegram from the ship!!
For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
It was great to be back home and to be with family and friends. Thinking my stay will not be long. Only few month and I will head back to Turkey to finish my studies and serve with OM there.
It was amazing right from my return I was immersed in several activities with my youth group and the church. There were several church camps I was asked to help with. I was asked to preach in the youth group, something I had not done before I left on the ship.
I started a bi-monthly prayer meeting at home for the nations and for Sudan.
My pastor asked to help with a small, planted church at the town skirts of Khartoum.
Another brother who was a leader in our youth group asked me to lead a course which he started for a group while he is away for a course to be the leader of Campus Crusade for Christ in Sudan.
Also, I got to know and Armenian brother Bougous Avangian who was involved in several ministries in prison, church planting among Muslims, preaching in abroad clinic to the patients and he took me with him to these ministries. He escaped from the Genocide of the Turkey on the Armenians and came to Sudan. In Sudan he became a believer. When his family decided to leave Sudan to Canada, he stayed in Sudan to serve the Lord. He was very interesting person!!
He committed his life to study the Word of God, to practice it and to teach it. He was also studying time and at least four different year calendars. He knew the scriptures so will that the Rabbi allowed him to live the Synagogue when he left Sudan because the number of Jews became less than 10 families.
He had great impact on my life as he took me with him to different ministries he was doing. He taught me the importance of going 2 by 2.
One time for example Professor Abdulla El Taib known Islamic scholar in University in Khartoum spoke on the Sudanese radio and said that the verses in John speaking about the Holy Spirit is talking about Mohmad. Bougous wrote a letter to him explaining that it is about the Holy Spirit not Mohmad. He asked me to go with him to deliver the letter. We went to the Dr. office. He explained to him why we came and delivered the letter. After wards he told how importance it is to go 2 by 2 as Jesus send the disciples out 2 by 2. It was also good for me I was being discipled.
Other things he emphasized: Hearing God’s voice. One of the questions he asked me “do you hear God’s voice? Does God talk to you? And how important it is to hear His voice. How the word odd was rear and then God calling Samuel.
The power of the word of God. It is like a battery charger special like reading the encounter between David and Goliath. It can be like the hammer the watch repairer uses tiny and small. Some people who are tenderhearted, just few soft words from the Lord would bring tears in their eyes; others need words like the hammer in the foundry.
Spiritual warfare. When Elisha prayed for God to open the eyes of his servant the ones with us are than the ones against us.
He also attended the prayer meetings we had.
Around July I got a message from Turkey that the admission policies for the University were changed, and it is not enough with my certificate I need to be there for a test. So, the door for that was closed for the fall.
My future started not to be clear what my next step should be.
I was active with different ministries in the youth groups I attended.
I attended at least four meetings weekly and led three more, along with activities involving Bogous.
One was house meeting which had converts from Islam and Muslim seekers in the home of Mahjoub a taxi driver who was converted when attended classes for English in the SIM. He went with intention to spy on them as he heard they are trying to convert Muslims and God touched his heart there.
During this time God continued to touch my heart more with needs around me in Sudan and how much still needed to be done to reach the country with the Gospel. At the same I realized that I cannot do it alone, I need help.
Others in the Christians community were thinking that I need more training, and I should take further studies in theology so I can bake and serve in Sudan.
My parents where open for me to either carry on further my secular education or go to bible school to prepare myself for ministry.
The second idea I was not comfortable with, but I was open to secular studies. But deep in heart both alternatives were not what God plan for me as I felt want me to start ministry right away. This is what my parents thought was not realistic.
The dream of having a ministry like India seemed unattainable. How can I start it alone in such a ministry?
So was open to the idea of studying and we started to work on something for the US just to calm my parents. Through a missionary friend of my father to pursue secular studies there.
In mean while continued with the different Christian activities I had.
Sometime at the end of November, I got a telegram from George Miley the director of the ship M/V Logos to help Des Harper with the lineup for Ship in Egypt. I sensed very clearly God want me to do that. This trip will get some people to help me with work in Sudan.
The church people and missionary were not happy about me going to Egypt. Their plans for me were to further my theological studies by going to a seminary but I felt this not the way God want to me pursue.
My family did not oppose me to go because as for my going to university in the US will not be until next year as we must work on the application etc…. As I was open to do that. Also, this trip to Egypt was not for a long time only for few months.
(Galatians 1:10) was key verse which helped to make my decision to go what Paul said in this verse that if he is seeking to please men, he is not worthy to be a servant of Christ. In which he emphasized the importance of pleasing God in our decision by doing His will. His will is the best for me and the others around me. Sometime what Men think is right today, they may rely on it is wrong tomorrow and what they may think is wrong today, they may discover it was right tomorrow. But what God thinks it is right today it is eternally right. This is why then very important to hear God voice and do His will which is good and acceptable and perfect.
This principle has been great help for me in my life. Instead of tearing myself apart trying to please everyone to focus on pleasing God and by doing that I am doing the best for everyone.
I flew to Cairo Egypt on the second of December 1975.
Step at a time
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mathew 6:34
This was my first trip to Egypt as an adult. My last visit was with my parents when I was a toddler in the mid-50s. In the plane I got to know a Sudanese young man who was also going for the first time to Cairo, and we thought we stick together.
Before I left My father who was the General Secreter of the Bible Society in Sudan the address of the Bible Society, if I need any help. He knew the director there. So, we headed to it in Al Gamhoria Street downtown Cairo. Both of us were shocked by the traffic coming from Khartoum. It took us nearly 3 hours to the Bible Society from the airport. We asked in the Bible Society for a modest hotel near them. They suggested to us a 3-star hotel nearby called Victoria. They used them for their visitors. We stayed in it that night. We tried to get a taxi to connect with the people we were going to but we couldn’t get taxi. After 3 hours we gave up.
I do not remember how I connected with Des Harper in Cairo. I only remember that we went together to Asyout to arrange for a visit of a team from the ship to Lillian Trasher Orphanage. We also stayed with a cousin of my father in Cairo 2 night and had a quick visit before we went back to Alex. There we stayed in the YMCA. We finalized things for the ship visit. Worked with the agent for a birth for the ship, and permission to sell the books and for people visit the ship. Also worked an advertisement for the ship Exhibition for postal to posted in public places. Also organized a couple of church meetings.
The amazing thing with the ship the leader of the Arab world team came to be based in Alex with his family and a small team of 3 single fellows.
I helped him to find a place to live. We also started to talk about the work in Sudan. We decided to have the first summer program in Sudan in May 1976.
This was a real God appointment. As when I came to help the ship with line up, I did not know about this that the Head Office of the Arab world team was going to move from Beirut to Alex. Through this move God has made it possible that people will come and work in Sudan from the Arab world team. Without it we would not have a team in Sudan.