When God Restores What Was Broken

The day Jadeed’s* father chased him from his home with a knife, he had nothing but the clothes on his back and a faith in Jesus that refused to falter. But what looked like a story of loss has become a story of multiplication.

If you’ve been with Global Gates for some time, you may remember when we first introduced Jadeed and the way God orchestrated his connection with Matt*, a Global Gates missionary living in Pennsylvania. In short, it began when Jadeed’s sister, a refugee in the U.S., unexpectedly met Matt and, in a moment that could only be described as providential, handed him her phone as she dialed Jadeed in the Middle East.

Through that conversation, Jadeed shared that he had been having dreams that caused him to question his Islamic faith. Matt encouraged him to read the New Testament, and within a month, Jadeed came to a decision that he believed Jesus is God and wanted to surrender his life to Him. Not long after, Matt traveled to the Middle East to baptize him.

But faith came at a cost.

When Jadeed shared his decision with his Muslim parents, they disowned him and told him he was no longer their son.

Despite the rejection and hardship he faced, God began to use Jadeed in remarkable ways. He has led dozens of former Muslims to faith, discipled new believers, baptized entire families, and even seen his wife and her family come to know the Lord. Today, he serves as a Global Gates missionary, faithfully supported by many of you.

Since 2023, we have been praying alongside Jadeed for restoration with his family. And now, we are beginning to see it.

Jadeed and his wife Priscilla* are in a new and unexpected season of reconciliation with his parents. What once felt completely broken is no longer out of reach.

Recently, Jadeed shared a conversation he had with his father while walking to the market. Jadeed asked about the Bible he had left behind the day he was forced out of their home.

His father told him he had found it. At the time, he was angry and wanted to throw it away. But he didn’t. Instead, he began reading it, curious about what had led his son to change.

Jadeed asked if he had found anything bad or evil in it. “Nothing bad,” his father said. “Nothing evil at all.” Then Jadeed asked if he could have the Bible back. His father replied, “No. I’d like to keep reading it.”

The same man who once rejected his son for following Jesus is now reading the very Scriptures that led to his transformation.

This is the power of prayer. It is a reminder that no heart is beyond God’s reach.

Stories like this are why we believe God will accomplish what may seem impossible to us. As we look toward our goal of seeing 4,000 professions of faith by December 2027, we are reminded that every number represents a life, a family, and a story of transformation.

And we serve a God who is still drawing people to Himself, often in ways we could never plan.

So we invite you to pray. Pray for Jadeed’s father as he continues to read Scripture. Pray for his mother, his sister, and his nephews. Pray that what has begun would lead to faith in Christ.

Because if this story shows us anything, it’s that God is sovereignly bringing people to Himself, even those we might least expect.

*Names changed for security.