‍“I love Allah, but I also love sleeping with girls. Because of that, I feel like I can’t live a holy life,” shared “Ahmed” from Saudi Arabia.

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In December, a Steiger team of 12 young missionaries from around the world traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for two weeks to boldly share the Gospel. In recent years, the country has opened up dramatically—economically and culturally. This shift has influenced Saudi youth, many distancing themselves from traditional Islamic practices and embracing the values and worldviews of the Global Youth Culture. Seduced by the false freedoms of secularism, many are experiencing the same sexual brokenness we hear about from young people all over the world.

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One night, Steiger missionary Stefan struck up a conversation with Ahmed during the Soundstorm Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the region. Ahmed opened up quickly as they talked about faith and life.

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Growing up in a culture shaped by Islam, Ahmed called himself a Muslim, but his actions told a different story. His love for sex ruled his life, and he didn’t have the strength to change. He longed to live differently, to redeem himself one day, but he had no idea what that even looked like.

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That opened the door for Stefan to share the Gospel, that we cannot save ourselves, but Jesus cleansed us from the wrongs we’ve done and our brokenness, making a real way back into a relationship with Him, full of love, forgiveness, and hope.

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Believing Jesus was just a prophet, Ahmed asked, “But how could one man pay for the sins of millions?”

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“Well,” Stefan said, “because Jesus wasn’t just a man. He is God as well. That’s why He’s the only One who could do this—for you, for me, and for all of humanity.”

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It was a long and meaningful conversation. Before they said goodbye, Stefan was able to pray for him.

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“When I think about our time in Saudi Arabia, I could tell you about the spark in the eyes of young men and women hearing the Gospel for the first time in their lives… and the tears in their eyes when someone prayed for them in the name of Jesus for the first time,” remembered Stefan.