Testimony : My Journey of Faith
Pastor Janna Shaik was raised as the youngest child in a devoted Muslim family in Dhameru, Kovuru Mandalam. Inspired by his maternal grandfather, an Imam and leader in the local mosque, he aspired from a young age to follow in his footsteps. Living near the mosque in a home gifted to his grandfather, Janna dedicated himself to learning Surahs and Islamic teachings under his guidance. For twelve years, he passionately called the Azan and actively proclaimed that salvation could be found through Prophet Mohammed and Islam.
Despite his deep commitment to Islam, Janna grew up facing significant challenges. He was born into a poor family with no permanent home. His father struggled with alcoholism, and his parents endured numerous hardships. As the youngest of three children, his sister married early, and his mother sought work in Kuwait to support the family.
Janna’s education ended after the 7th grade due to financial difficulties. He worked as a mechanic in the mornings and as a hotel cleaner in the evenings to help pay off debts from his siblings’ marriages. Though he initially opposed Christianity, hearing about Jesus sparked questions within him, despite facing disapproval and punishment from his family for showing any interest.
A Glimpse Into My Spiritual Journey
As a devoted follower of Islam and a staunch believer in Prophet Muhammad, I was deeply committed to my faith. I actively participated in Ramadan festivals, often preaching to the congregation. My grandfather, an Imam, dreamed of me becoming a religious leader, dedicating his time to teaching me Surahs and Islamic teachings.
By the age of 12, I was performing the Adhan at the mosque five times a day. However, life took a challenging turn when my grandfather fell gravely ill. Despite our family rallying around him and exhausting all medical options, his condition worsened. My mother, working in Dubai at the time, was unable to return due to her employer’s refusal. This deeply distressed my grandfather, and he eventually passed away.
This loss left a significant emotional burden on me, even affecting my studies. My academic mentor noticed my struggle and, in his concern, posed a question that stayed with me: despite my devout prayers and dedication, why was I facing such hardships? He then invited me to explore his faith and attend a church service.
Initially hesitant, I eventually decided to observe their prayer practices out of curiosity. Dressed in my traditional Muslim attire, I remained outside the church, washing my hands and face as per custom, and watched their service from a distance. This moment sparked a journey of questioning and exploration that would shape my spiritual path.
One evening, without realising it, I entered a church during their prayers and worship. Overwhelmed with emotion, I cried alongside the congregation. When the pastor asked why I was crying, I shared the grief of my grandfather’s passing but kept silent about my mother’s situation in an Arab country. Returning home that night, I went to bed, but in the early morning, I was startled by a voice calling, “Wake up and pray.” The voice repeated twice more, leaving me confused yet compelled to respond.
Salvation(Experiencing Faith and Understanding: A Personal Journey) :
I rose and prayed earnestly, questioning Jesus in my prayer: “If You are the true God, help me find out about my mother’s whereabouts. If I hear her voice before 9:00 AM today, I will believe in You and proclaim Your word for the rest of my life.” For three hours, I prayed with fervour until exhaustion overtook me. That morning, instead of going to the mosque to give the adhan, I stayed home. Suddenly, a postman arrived, informing me of an urgent call. I ran to the STD booth, praying it would be my mother. To my amazement, it was her.
She explained that she had been wrongly accused and jailed by her employer in Kuwait but was recently released. The Kuwaiti government had also arranged for her visa to return to India. Hearing her voice after months of silence felt like a miracle. In that moment, I praised God and realised the truth of Jesus Christ.
From then on, I firmly believed that salvation is found through Jesus alone. With renewed faith, I committed to proclaiming His word and His ways to people everywhere.
A Journey of Faith and Transformation
I stood firm in my faith in Jesus, despite opposition from my neighbors, family, and society. Today, I am a servant of God, leading hundreds of people in Kesavaram Village, Andhra Pradesh.
However, my spiritual journey took a transformative turn. I found a new calling in worshiping Jesus and proclaiming the word of God with even greater fervor. Embracing Jesus as my savior, I now dedicate my life to spreading his message, grateful for the profound change in my faith and life.
