(April 1, 2015 - by Penelope Hughes)  When someone turns to Christ in Central Asia—a region dominated by Islam where less than 0.4 percent of the population is evangelical—the consequences can be dire. Being ostracized by your family, for example, losing your livelihood or even having your life threatened.

“It can mean being an outlaw in your own society,” said *Hamid, one of Reach Beyond’s Central Asian partners who produces programs for his radio ministry.

Much of the programming content is made to support believers in difficult situations such as this. A new series has been developed for young believers to “help them show their families Christ and Christianity are not bad, but good,” Hamid explained. Included in the lineup is a show that specifically addresses relationships and being displaced from one’s family.

He recounted the story of a young man who had lived a life addicted to drugs even though his family had done all they could to treat him—doctors, clinics, therapy and even “magic” healers. Nothing changed.

But the man’s life was transformed when he heard about Christ and made a decision to follow the Lord. He’s been free of drugs ever since.

“At first his parents were extremely anti-Christian,” noted Hamid. “They thought he had joined a sect … and they felt like he had betrayed his family, his faith and his ancestry.”

However, they couldn’t deny the dramatic change in his life since he was able to hold a job and live a normal life.

One day when he called the local radio show for advice on how to deal with his family problems, a staff member replied, “Do not do aggressive evangelism in your family…. Show them how your life has changed, and show them that Christ is the Lord of mercy, the Lord of love and the Lord of blessing.”

The approach worked. “When he showed his parents how he had really changed … everything became good,” Hamid said.

First his father—a man highly respected by governors and local authorities—became a believer. Then one by one the rest of his family members did the same.

Today his father is a faithful witness about the claims of Christ to his entire community, willing to risk all for His Savior.

*Name changed for security purposes

Source: Reach Beyond