Alexis caught the evangelist’s attention. At 15, Alexis and his brothers and sisters had been attending the church and studying for baptism.

In 2016, his mother and his father’s second wife were baptized and went to church for a couple of years. However, like many others, they stopped going amid their spiritual growth because there was no evangelist in the village to help members mature enough to run their own church; attendance dropped greatly. But when Charles arrived—an evangelist we sent—Alexis caught his attention, and he prepared Alexis for baptism.

After he and his brothers and sisters were baptized, young Alexis became very zealous in practicing the teachings he and his siblings had learned regarding healthy eating and abandoning all idolatrous practices. Family life became very difficult, especially with his unconverted parents. Under all the persecution, his brother and sisters were persuaded to compromise. Alexis remained steadfast, though, respectfully defending his faith during disagreements, especially with his father, who was unhappy with his son’s faith in God and his joining the church.

Charles loved Alexis because he quickly assimilated the teachings and asked questions to understand better. Alexis loved Daniel 1. He was also always available to clean the place of worship, was always on time for prayer meetings and loved to share his faith throughout the village. In addition, he improved at school.

His father, seeing his determination and resistance, eventually stopped harassing Alexis, noticing that his son had become very disciplined and helpful to the family. He finally told all his many children to go to church and follow their brother.

Alexis’ father told my husband, Fidel, that he was very happy with the changes that had come about in the family because of Alexis. With the other children going to church, the family had become much more pleasant. Please pray for Alexis to continue shining within his family, the church and the village.

Please also pray for our fundraising. We are currently in the States on furlough, raising financial support to remain in Benin and help keep church members moving forward in their faith. Your financial and prayer support is greatly treasured as, through the power of God’s blessing, it can transform one person, one family, one village at a time.

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