On the year of our fortieth anniversary, we’re delighted to announce the winner of this year’s writing contest People of Peace in Places of War—The Night of Yelwata by Nigerian author, evangelist and youth counsellor Israel Elazar.
Out of 117 entries from around the world, The Night of Yelwata was selected for its timely theme, compelling characters and moving portrayal of the realities of living out the gospel in a place of violence. The story will be published in MAI’s magazine to be released in the new year, Bread & Ink: Fortifying Christian faith through art and writing.
Thank you to all who took part in the contest. It was a joy to read excellent stories submitted by Christian writers from places like Peru, Indonesia, Kenya, the Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Mexico, Uganda and Zambia—to name just a few! We praise God for the passionate, talented and persevering writers He is raising among His people around the world, for His glory.
From the author
Nigerian author, evangelist and youth counsellor Israel Elazar—winner of this year’s MAI writing contest People of Peace in Places of War—shares how the Lord drew him to Himself, the encouragement and challenges of reaching youth with the gospel, and ways the global Church can stand with Nigeria’s Christians today.
“Every word pierced my heart”
God reached out to me quite early in life. I was privileged to come from a Christian home. Although I was raised by my single mother—my father passed away mysteriously while he was away in 2005—my mother did an extraordinary job nurturing me in the way of the Lord. I remember her taking me along to prayer meetings from a very young age, even when I barely understood what was happening beyond hearing the Word of God and praying together.
Yet being raised in a Christian home did not make me right with God. I struggled with pornography and masturbation addiction, even though my heart longed for God. Throughout my secondary school years, I attended a missionary-founded school. I was consistently exposed to Scripture and prayer, and encountered several altar calls, but rarely responded.
One particular day remains unforgettable. During our usual Friday fellowship hour, a senior student came to minister in our class. For the first time in my life, I felt that God had come specifically for me. It was as though He set that moment apart to seek me until I was found.
As the message was preached, every word pierced my heart. I became so overwhelmed that I began to weep openly at the back of the classroom. (This was unusual for me, as I was typically one of those who disrupted such solemn moments with jokes and laughter.) I knew without a doubt that I was a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness. When the altar call was made, I rose—still in tears—and surrendered my life to Jesus. Since then, I have sought to serve God and His kingdom in every little way I can.
Role-playing preaching and a calling to Nigeria’s youth
A year later, I began sensing a persistent inner prompting that God was calling me to serve Him. I didn’t initially know how to interpret this experience, but I carried it quietly in my heart as it grew stronger each day. I struggled with approaching spiritual leaders because I often felt unworthy of being used by God.
Yet, whenever I was alone at home, I would find myself role-playing sermons as though preaching to an audience. These moments could last for an hour, and I would stop only when I sensed someone approaching.
In church, I was consistently drawn to the pastor, observing how they ministered, how God spoke to them, how they taught the Word, and so much more.
After graduation, upon admission to university, the inner nudging had become unmistakably strong. I felt as though ignoring it would be equivalent to wasting my life.
During this time, God led me to a local church pastor. I asked him to pray that I would understand how God wanted me to serve Him on campus. He prayed, and told me that God said He would reveal His direction before I left for university.
A few weeks later, while spending time with my best friend—who also loved the Lord—I received a strong impression that God wanted me to return to my secondary school and preach the gospel to my juniors, much like how I myself had been converted.
We prayed and fasted, believing that word, and then stepped out in faith.
This marked the beginning of a series of evangelical outreaches, as we soon expanded into neighboring schools to share the gospel. I often stayed behind after our meetings to answer students’ questions, and began distributing prayer cards, inviting them to write down their requests so I could pray for them while away. Some requests needed additional attention, prompting me to seek out students to provide guidance. Over time, this became a way of life.
When I arrived at university, my heart was heavily burdened to continue secondary school outreach. I needed both a platform and proper guidance, especially since I had moved from northern Nigeria to the west. I soon discovered an outreach ministry that shared my passion for reaching young people. I joined immediately, and this became my primary focus throughout my seven years on campus. God was faithful, bringing many into salvation and genuine transformation. I also served among teenagers at my local church.
I have always loved ministering to young people, because I believe God has given me the grace to teach His Word with simplicity. Youth ministry is, in my view, an essential ministry. I believe Satan seeks to capture people especially during this formative season of their lives, and the choices they make at this stage often determine how far they will go. Ministering to them feels like correcting the past while shaping the future.
Challenges and opportunities amidst the diversity of Nigeria
One encouraging discovery I’ve made is that preaching in western Nigeria is far more accepted—in many places, Islam and Christianity’s places of worship peacefully stand side by side. God gave us open doors to preach the gospel during school assemblies, and we ministered to thousands of young people, sometimes to audiences of 2,000 or more at once.
What I find challenging is that in today’s world, many young people question the gospel and its power. One of the greatest challenges is helping them see that the Word of God remains relevant and powerful to set their lives in order, and that following Jesus is necessary even when peer pressure suggests otherwise.
Northern Nigeria remains difficult, easily inflamed by religious tensions. Ministering in secondary schools often attracts punishments or sanctions against the schools, unless they are predominantly Christian-owned. Local missionaries and Christians encounter severe persecution such as farmland seizure, forced marriages, family rejection, displacement and threats to life.
Despite this, discipleship movements are beginning to grow as Christians love their communities through various means such as rural schools, medical outreaches and recycling projects. Pastors and missionaries are also being trained to strengthen new believers.
Missionaries and new Christians face ongoing threats, yet continue serving in areas many missions have abandoned. We hear testimonies of churches being burnt down or raided—yet believers often resume services almost immediately and gather together to rebuild, demonstrating their unwavering zeal for God.
Persevering in faith, standing alongside Nigeria’s Christians
Remembering what Jesus prophesied about the last days, it is no surprise that these events are unfolding. Even on social media, there is a subtle but growing hostility toward Christians, pastors, and churches, and many people look for any opportunity to ridicule the faith.
I believe the Nigerian church, particularly our church associations, must do more than pray. We can take proactive steps to support persecuted Christians, and establish strong welfare structures to care for displaced people. Our church leaders can use their platforms to stand with their congregations, to speak courageously to our government and society. Christians in positions of influence around the world can also help.
I would also ask that the global church remember us in prayer, just as we regularly pray here in Nigeria for persecuted Christians across the world. We need deep and consistent prayers. We do not want to face a future where we must choose between death, fleeing or denying our faith. Although many regard Nigeria as a Christian revival center, we should not be left alone in this struggle. Pray that we may all remain faithful to Jesus and serve Him wholeheartedly.