A Berber’s way to Christ

My name is Al Hassan. I’m 26 years old and I come from Algeria in North Africa. I am actually a Berber or Amazigh. The Berbers have lived in North Africa since year 3000 b.c. But when the Muslims conquered North Africa in the 7th century, all Berbers became Muslims.

I never chose my religion, but it influenced my entire way of living and thinking. Religious studies at school filled me with hate against other people. Hate towards those who doesn’t respect us. And hate towards the Arabs that makes life difficult for the Berbers in Algeria. I started asking myself many questions. Why do I believe what I do? What happens after death? Why do I hate others?

While I was pondering these questions I started watching a Christian television channel that is called Miracle Channel. They talked about love and how to receive eternal life and how Jesus wants us to live in peace with each other. This is what I was seeking. They talked about a love that loved their enemies.  I saw that the love I had fell short of this.

I contacted Miracle Channel, and soon thereafter a man came and shared the gospel with me and put me in contact with other believers who knew Jesus. This caused me to open my heart, and I received Christ as my savior. Jesus cleansed my heart and gave me love and joy and a new hope.

Today I thank Jesus for all that he has done in my life. Now I serve Jesus and I tell others, who are like me, in North Africa, about the good news in the gospel and that God loves us just as we are.