Oklahoma Wesleyan University

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Passionate Fire in Iran.

by: William Jahnigen III

A land known for it's history, rich culture, and Islamic roots. A land with people who are dying- physically, spiritually, and eternally. A land where darkness is known, and the light has to be covered up. Fear, tears, cries, and screams fill this land. God has placed inside of me a passion, a passion that hurts me and breaks me, it is tearing me apart inside. How I long to go to Iran right now and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I long to go and LOVE these people who are on their way to hell! Everyday so many people are dying in this land without ever having a drink of the living water. The water that overwhelms them, gives them life and a reason to live. That gives them joy. These people do not know the transforming and supernatural love of my Savior Jesus Christ. Before I was saved, I loved learning about different cultures, and traveling. When I was 14 years old, at a summer camp in Florida, I saw God. I saw the forgiveness of my disgusting sin. I saw the majesty of my loving Creator. It broke me. Life was never the same from that moment on. Instantly, I knew that I was going to take this precious gift overseas. The word missionary was foreign to me, yet my heart was already on that path. Since this moment, God has blessed me in so many ways. Through miracles of my King, I have been able to share the love of Jesus in numerous places throughout the United States, and also in other countries. South Africa, Thailand, Mexico, and Peru thus far. While I was in Thailand on a mission trip with Teen Mania Ministries, my Project Directors had a session about missions, specifically in the 10/40 window. We prayed, passionately, after hearing this. God stirred up His holy fire inside of me to reach Muslims. After a series of divine appointments, I knew that Iran would be the place I move to with my wife someday, live for the people, and die. We would reach out and encourage the weary believers. We would share this gift of eternal life with the lost souls! Miracles would happen! Not by us, but by the sovereign, gracious power of our God! In the fall of 2009, I attended the Word of Life Bible Institute in Pottersville, New York. It was such an incredible experience, full of growth and challenges. I had planned to stay for the whole year, but I came back to school after winter break and found out that the financial aid I had that covered the year was not accepted, and I could only finish off the first semester and then was to return home. I was mad at first, not understanding what was happening. Was I supposed to stay and have my faith stretched, trusting that God could miraculously provide the funds? Or was I supposed to go back home, not knowing whatsoever what I would be doing? God was working, and once I surrendered these circumstances up to Him, He was ready to answer. Our God is a marvelous mystery, but finding His will is not a mystery. Months prior to this happening, as I was praying about the Middle East and Central Asia.. God said to me “You are going sooner than you think.” He laid that in my heart. I prayed, “Lord, send me!” How I long to go and be used by our great God!! Well the doors for Word of Life had shut, but the doors to serve overseas were opening! In May of this year until August, I will be going around Central Asia with People International. I will be trekking through Tajikistan, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, and Iraq, Lord willing, sharing His Word and love. I know God has a purpose and a reason. He is going to work in my life, as well as the lives of those I will come in contact with. This will be a time of stretching, and a time of falling more in love with my Jesus, and with the Muslims that I will be serving. May He continue to break me for these souls. I started searching for schools that I could possibly attend this fall, and found Oklahoma Wesleyan University. It shocked me when I was looking at the information online. A major in Persecuted Church Ministry?! I could not believe it. I began praying, and God gave me His peace about going to OKWU. I know that by getting the training and education at this school, I would be prepared to move overseas once the doors open for Americans to go into Iran. Going here would be another stepping stone where God transforms my life, more. The passion I would gain from other students and staff would be a beautiful picture of His work. Going here would challenge me in my leadership as well, and push me outside of my comfort zone! These are things that I desire. And they will happen, if God wants it to. Attending OKWU seems absolutely essential! I don't want to be glorified. I want Jesus to have all of the glory, I want to obey my Father and do what He calls me to do! Reaching Muslims and the Iranian people is just that. OKWU would prepare me, in ways that I expect, and in ways that surprise me. But our God is a God of surprises. I cannot go without the finances, but God supplies what we need. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. May His will be done. May His love and sacrifice be made known throughout the world. -William Jahnigen III “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” -Acts 20:24 (ESV) (994 words)

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