Samir* graduated from OM’s teenager discipleship school in the Caucasus in 2024. Though only 17 years old, he is already an active disciple-maker. For the past two years, he has led a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) group with his family. He also leads two online DBS groups and mentors four teenagers, with plans to bring them together to form a new group.
One member of Samir’s family DBS group is his 75-year-old grandmother, Gulnara*. A follower of Jesus, Gulnara had always been hesitant to share the gospel, feeling a little inadequate to do so. Even though their weekly DBS meetings encouraged them to share Bible stories with others, she continued to struggle with shyness in this area.
One day, while Samir was sharing the gospel over the phone, his grandmother overheard him. He was speaking from Matthew 7:7-11 about how the Father gives good gifts to those who seek and ask Him. Gulnara felt deeply encouraged. When Samir ended the call, she said, “Please send me those verses. I want to share them.” She was part of a WhatsApp group chat for elderly women in the neighbourhood, and she had never before told them that she was a follower of Jesus.
Samir helped his grandmother, and together they shared Matthew 7:7–11 in the group chat. Shortly afterwards, questions begin to appear: “What is this?” “Who is Matthew?”
Gulnara immediately began to do research, learnt who Matthew was, and wrote in the chat that Matthew was one of Jesus’ disciples. She then began to talk about Jesus.
Some of the women responded, saying, “We are Muslims. We don’t need this. We have our own religion.” After some time, a few knocked on her door and told her they wanted to hear more. Although they listened, they did not accept what she said.
Since that day, the neighbourhood women have not been speaking to Gulnara. Sometimes, when she walks past them, she hears them talking behind her back. Yet Gulnara is glad that she took a brave step and proud that her grandson supported her in it.
She plans to talk to her neighbours again and explain things more fully. Because Gulnara handles many responsibilities in her building, her neighbours usually consult her before taking any action. So, she knows they cannot ignore her forever. She is already in the perfect position to keep sharing the hope and love of Jesus with them.
Please pray for Gulnara to have the courage and words to share the gospel clearly and explain Jesus’s love to her neighbours. Pray for the Lord to soften their hearts. May a new gathering of grandmothers begin in her home.
*name changed
