Fulani Man Seeks Answers About Christianity

When people in one Fulani community in West Africa have questions about Islam, they look to Shafaat (not his real name) for answers.

As the son of the local Muslim teacher, Shafaat even helped bring people who previously called themselves Christians to Islam.

But the young man is beginning to have doubts about his faith – doubts that recently brought him to a Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) missionary for answers.

“He said that he is searching for the truth,” said the missionary. “He feels led by God to be a preacher, but he doesn’t know yet which path is the true path of God.”

The CRWM missionary was surprised when she saw how much Shafaat already knew about the gospel. “When he started talking, I knew that he had been doing some serious studying,” she said.

CRWM missionaries have been working with Fulani people like Shafaat for more than 30 years. The Fulani’s Muslim beliefs go back several centuries.

In most of the countries where the Fulani live, less than five percent of the population are Christians. But people like Shafaat are becoming less resistant to the gospel and they want to know more.

The missionaries' outreach to the Fulani (also known as the Fulbé) centers on building relationships in order to share the gospel. CRWM missionaries live in Fulani villages and towns, at times sponsor development projects, pray for the sick, and attend community events. They immerse themselves in Fulani daily life.

"One never knows what impact one's words, actions, and mere presence will have on others," said one missionary who has lived in a Fulani village since 1981.

A few weeks after their initial meeting, Shafaat and a friend returned to the missionary and met for nine hours, discussing all the questions they had.

"[Shafaat's friend] is leading with his heart and is coming close to accepting Christ," said the CRWM missionary.