Meet Pascal
A Skeptic Has a Change of Heart
In an urban area located in the Boucle du Mouhoun region of Burkina Faso, an 11-year-old boy named Pascal grew up nearly surrounded by people who didn’t believe in Jesus. His parents were steadfast believers, but something always stood between Pascal and church; it could just never pique his interest. And on a deeper level, he was skeptical about God.
Despite that mindset, in June 2023, Pascal agreed to join an Awana club at the nearby Evangelical Alliance Church (EAC). Initially, it was the game time and the challenge of memorizing verses that brought Pascal back to Awana every week. But soon he realized something else was drawing him to church. His heart was changing. The lessons from the Living God’s Story curriculum had started to sink in. Week after week, Pascal learned more about the Bible and what it means to be a Christian, and gradually his skepticism melted away.
A little over a year after joining the Awana club, Pascal made a significant decision — he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. But it wasn’t just a decision; it was a transformation. His parents observed a marked change in his behavior both at home and in school. Once a boy detached from the church, Pascal became the most eager participant in the Awana club. His passion for serving, praying and learning were contagious.
Rippling past the borders of his own life, Pascal’s newfound faith and enthusiasm inspired other children in the community to join the Awana club. He even caught the attention of some non-Christian parents, one of whom was so impressed by the positive influence of the club that he donated materials to help sustain it.
Today, Pascal stands as a testimony to the power of consistent child discipleship in the lives not just of individual children, but in whole communities. His journey from doubt to disciple gives hope to all of us. God’s faithfulness is for all of His children, including the reluctant believers. Sometimes it’s the skeptic that becomes the brightest light for others.
