Rohan grew up in a deeply religious Muslim family in Pakistan. His father had memorized the entire Quran and taught his children to live strictly according to its instructions. From a young age, Rohan learned what to believe, how to live, and who to avoid.
After finishing school, he began driving a tuk-tuk to help support his family. It was steady work, and over time, he became familiar with the roads and rhythms of daily life in his community. But there was one line he never crossed. If he realized a passenger was a Christian, he would stop the vehicle and force them out. That response felt natural to him. It reflected what he had been taught and what he believed to be right.
Then one day, that pattern was interrupted.
A group of Christians entered his tuk-tuk and began talking openly about Jesus as they traveled. For the first time, he did not ask them to leave. Rohan listened and dared to ask questions. One of the passengers, a pastor, offered his phone number and told him to call later to have his questions answered. Rohan followed up, and over time, their conversations continued.
As their relationship grew, the pastor gave him a Bible. Rohan approached it with questions and hesitation, but he continued to read. Gradually, his perspective began to change. The hostility he once felt toward Christians gave way to curiosity, and then to conviction.
Scripture describes this kind of transformation simply: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). What began as a conversation became something deeper as Rohan encountered the message of the Gospel for himself.
In time, he made a decision to follow Jesus.
When Faith Is Discovered
Rohan did not immediately tell his family. He understood the risk. In Pakistan, choosing to follow Jesus often brings serious consequences, especially for those from Muslim backgrounds. Faith is closely tied to family identity, and leaving Islam is seen as a betrayal.
When his family discovered his conversion, the reaction was immediate.
His brother attacked him and tried to kill him. Rohan managed to escape and hide, but there was no path back home. His father disowned him, cutting him off from the family completely. In a matter of moments, he lost both his home and his place within the only community he had ever known.
This is a common pattern for many believers in Pakistan. Blasphemy laws can be used to accuse Christians with little evidence, and mob violence can escalate quickly. But for many, persecution begins within the family. Rejection, threats, and violence often come from those closest to them.
In Matthew 10:22, Jesus revealed the consequences and the reward of following Him when He said: “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Rohan chose to remain faithful.
Living Without Stability
After leaving his home, Rohan began moving from place to place. He took whatever work he could find, often as a day laborer, but the income was inconsistent and not enough to provide stability. Some days, he earned enough to meet his basic needs. Other days, he did not.
He lived simply, renting a single room when he could afford it and relying at times on the limited support of local believers. There was no consistent income, no long-term plan, and no clear way forward.
Even in that uncertainty, his faith did not change.
He continued to follow Christ and remained firm in his decision, despite the cost. When given the opportunity to return home by renouncing his faith, he refused.
Rohan clung to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:8–9: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken.”
Rebuilding After Persecution
The effects of persecution do not end with relational or physical consequences. Many believers lose their homes, their jobs, and their community. Their challenges continue as they try to rebuild their lives without the support systems they once depended on.
Without a stable income, it becomes difficult to secure housing, provide for daily needs, or plan for the future. This is where Help The Persecuted walks alongside believers, not only in moments of crisis but in the process of rebuilding.
Through our Enduring Livelihood Ministry, persecuted Christians receive support to establish sustainable work. Field Ministers, many with backgrounds in business or entrepreneurship, work closely with each person to understand their skills and develop a practical plan for long-term stability.
For Rohan, that plan centered on something he already knew well: driving a tuk-tuk. It was a skill he could return to if he had the means to purchase a vehicle.
Our team met with Rohan and established a business plan outlining location, needed supplies, and equipment. With your support, a vehicle was acquired, and Rohan established routes in a major nearby city. With a university in the heart of the city, Rohan established a routine of driving students to and from classes.
A Path Forward
Today, Rohan has consistent routes as a tuk-tuk driver in a major Pakistani city.
His income allows him to cover his rent and meet his daily needs. What was once uncertain has become steady enough to provide a sense of stability. He is no longer dependent on inconsistent labor or temporary support.
This kind of change is not only practical. It restores dignity. It gives structure to daily life and creates a path forward that was not previously possible.
Rohan’s life was forever changed when he chose to listen instead of leave. His hope is founded upon the solid rock of Jesus.
In Psalm 34, it says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
That deliverance is not always immediate, and it does not remove hardship entirely. But it can be seen in the ways God provides and sustains over time. Rohan’s life reflects that kind of provision.
A Way Forward After Persecution
Rohan’s story reflects a broader reality for many believers who face persecution.
Choosing to follow Jesus often leads to loss of family, income, and stability. Without support, rebuilding can feel out of reach. But when the Body of Christ responds, believers are not left to navigate that process alone.
Help The Persecuted continues to walk with believers through each stage of that journey, providing both spiritual care and practical support. This includes immediate assistance in times of need, ongoing discipleship, and opportunities to rebuild through sustainable work.
This approach does not simply address short-term needs. It creates a foundation for long-term stability.
How to Help
You can stand with believers like Rohan.
Pray for those who are rebuilding after persecution, asking God to sustain them and guide them.
Give to support the work of Help The Persecuted, helping believers establish livelihoods that restore stability and dignity.
Rohan once rejected Christians without hesitation. Today, he follows Jesus with conviction, and he is rebuilding his life one step at a time!