‍“God, I don't know if you’re there, I don’t know if you listen to this, Jesus, but if you are, reveal yourself to me,” pleaded “Anmar” from Saudi Arabia.

‍

In December, a Steiger team of 12 young missionaries from around the world traveled to Riyadh for two weeks to boldly share the Gospel. Saudi Arabia has undergone significant changes in recent years, becoming more culturally diverse. As a result, young Saudis are increasingly sharing the same passions and interests as young adults around the world.

‍

During the Soundstorm Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the region, Jozef and Stefan from our team met Anmar, a young man who was experimenting with drugs at the time. He admitted he was on acid when they struck up a conversation.

‍

They asked him why he was doing it, and the conversation quickly turned deep. Jozef and Stefan shared how temporary relief through drugs, partying, or distractions always comes at a cost. The high fades, the hangover hits, and you’re left feeling emptier than before. “Real fulfillment to our life is supposed to come from a relationship with God and we have experienced this,” shared Jozef.

‍

Stefan invited Anmar to reach out to God right there, in that moment. With a raw honesty, Anmar prayed for Jesus to reveal himself to him.

‍

Stefan is still in touch with Anmar.

‍

During another night at the festival, Jozef met “Jaafar,” who said he was an atheist. After wrestling with doubts in his teenage years, he concluded that there is no God and religion is a system of manipulation. He had never told his family; around them, he continued to participate in all the rituals and practices of Islam.

‍

Jozef shared how he personally encountered God, not as a distant institution, but as a living Savior. The conversation was long and deeply personal. Jaafar was visibly moved, and Jozef was able to pray for him before they parted ways. They have kept in touch since.