An Ex-Muslim Christian is Baptized: The Testimony of Timothy* in Indonesia
This testimony has been reposted with permission.
“So, first time to know about Christianity [was] from my friends at school and my neighborhood. I live near a Catholic Church and Christian [Protestant] Church in [part of Indonesia]. When I was young with my father, at that time, was doing his job as electrician. He was hired for a job at the Catholic church, and it was my first time inside a church.
”In 2005 I got my first vision while at the classroom. I thought it was an angel or only white shadows—only I can see it. No problem. And in 2011 I have my brother-in-law which his mom is a Pentecostal. But I never pursue or want to know about Christian, even though I had another vision that year. I hated Christianity, and I swore to not convert into a Christian. Even though I got two times of visions.
”But my destiny tells a different story. In March of 2023 I had another dream of Jesus and he said, “Come to me and you will be saved by grace.” I look on YouTube for “Muslim and baptism” and I found your videos. I presented myself to various people and pastors on YouTube, but you were the only one to answer.
”So, I called my friend which is my Christian colleague and my best friend also—a Christian from the Netherlands. I met him through an English class in Indonesia and he was my teacher. He asked me to visit his church and then I met Pastor Andrew*. My colleague said, just go with two perceptions or perspectives: Indonesian and American. Because for me to attend international church [was] much safer than if I go to local [Indonesia] church.
”Also, he, you, and Mohammad Faridi [a popular YouTube personality and convert from Islam] said to download the bible on Play Store/Apple store for my phone. That is how I was able to start reading the Bible. I started to attend the international church and then the bible study as you told me. And then the pastor there baptized me and that was in early October.
”Now what I can do is be praying and grateful for what Jesus gave me and blessing me.
”I also am so grateful that I know you because of Jesus.”
Note from Duane Miller: Almost all of this testimony is taken from words that Timothy (not his real name) send me as we conversed by text. I have fixed up the grammar and punctuation and added one or two small details. But this is his story in his words. Timothy and I have been in touch since he posted a question on one of my YouTube videos in March. We text or talk almost every day.
Prayer Points
Give thanks: Sharon was able to share a testimony with 18 ladies, many of them Muslims.
Give thanks: We have a few new contacts from the Middle East at Kanisa.
Pray for Amelia and Samantha as they go on a youth retreat with a local church, for spiritual growth.
Give thanks: Duane spoke at a conference on mission and religious freedom in Oslo and it was a good time of teaching and learning and meeting other workers and scholars.
David is doing well in Amsterdam, working part time at a local restaurant.
Pray for our students at the seminary (Duane) and at Oasis (Sharon).
And of course pray for Timothy, whose testimony you have read. His main challenge right now is knowing how and when to share his new faith with his parents, with whom he still lives.
Rev. Dr. Duane Alexander Miller has an MA in Theology and one of the main areas of research for his PhD in divinity was religious conversion from Islam to Christianity. He has taught all over the world and is currently an at-large lecturer and researcher at The Christian Institute of Islamic Studies. Duane and his wife, Sharon, now live in Madrid with their three children where they teach and minister at the Anglican Cathedral of the Redeemer.
