Nasir Masaya

It is my pleasure to introduce Nasir Masaya. I offer this short interview to our US-based partners so that you can get to know Nasir and his ministry work in India. Nasir is a mighty man of God who has endured much persecution and trouble for his faith. Amazingly, he presses on to reach the marginalized and the lost in his community with the hope and healing of Jesus. For an opportunity to connect or encourage Nasir, click the contact link at the bottom of the post page and let me know.

Ron: Nasir, tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your village.

Nasir: First of all, I give glory, honor, praises to our almighty God Jesus Christ, who has given me a new life. My name is Nasiruddin Molla, and I was born March 2, 1989. My wife, Rajshree, and I have one son, Adam Molla, born April 24, 2023. We live in the village of Udayrampur near Kolkata in India. It's a big village in the Sundarbon District, and it's a very crowded area. The majority of people are Hindus with minority groups that are Muslim and Christian and others. Popular sports here are cricket and football and other village games. For entertainment, most people go to the Kolkata city areas.

Ron: Share a bit about your background.

Nasir: I was born and brought up in an orthodox and devout Islamic family. My family members are all Muslim. I have three brothers and two sisters. My father was a businessman and a mosque secretary. In my school life I was learning only our Islamic religion. Before, I didn't know about Christianity, all villages were full of Hindus and Muslims. When I was in secondary school, I got very low marks on my exams. Because of this, my father beat me very badly. Afterward, I cried, and I left my home. I was thinking in my heart that I will not go back to my home, and I will commit suicide. I went to a jungle area and was about to hang myself on a tree, suddenly there came two men and they rescued me from this death.

They asked me about my situation, and I explained to them everything about my life. They asked me one question: would you consider studying in Bible College? I responded to them, “wherever you want me to go, I will go, but I will not return to my home.” Those two men took me for admission to Believer College of India (BCI), and after that they left that college. While I was attending, I accepted Christ as my personal savior on June 5, 2008. There I studied for two years. During that time, I did not have any communication with my parents or family, and they were searching for me everywhere, but they didn’t find me. My parents even put a missing notice in the newspaper. After two years of study, during my college break time, the principal told me I needed to contact my parents. I contacted my parents, and they came and met me at Bible College and took me at home. After reaching home, I shared the Gospel and about Christianity among all of my family and friends, but they didn’t accept what I said. They misunderstood what Christianity is all about. Later, they took me to a Mosque and told me to recite the Islamic creed. They were forcing me to recite those words and even told me, “If you will not recite these words, we will kill you.” They beat me very badly and left me there at the Mosque.

After that beating, I told my parents, “I want to serve my community.” My parents accepted this and sent me to continue my secular studies, which included a medical college for nursing. During this time at college, I was still searching for a church and fellow Christians. I met a Pastor and started to attend services in his church. One day in an Islamic Conference, I asked some questions of the Islamic leaders. They responded to me by saying that I was becoming a Kafer (which means one who has denied God). They went to my parents, and this time my parents also denied me. My parents gave them permission to beat me. They did so, leaving me for dead. During this time, I remembered the words from Psalm 27: 1: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Another verse also came to mind from Isaiah 49:15: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”

While they were beating me, I begged the leaders to please leave me alone. I said, “I will go away, and I will not come back here again.” They relented. From that moment onwards, I left my village and my family, and I did not look back. I went to a faraway place, and I started to work in different hospitals as a nurse. While I was working in one hospital, again I met a pastor, and he introduced me to Calcutta Bible College (CBC) and director George Varghese, and he gave me an opportunity to study there. There I completed my Masters of Divinity studies. Now I am doing ministry among Muslims and the Hindu community through my medical expertise in different places. I also work with widows and orphans. Please continue praying for me and our ministry and for the salvation of our people. They are dying without the Gospel!

Ron: Wow, Nasir! That is an incredible story of God’s leading and protection! What is daily life like now for you?

Nasir: At the beginning of the day, I get up and give thanks to the Lord with Bible verses and singing songs, and prayer. After we finish our work, we call to our friends to see how they are. Later, we go for DBS house fellowship and prayer in our different island areas. We do this each day. My favorite times are the Bible verses, praise and worship songs. My most enjoyable work is to serve people and help others.

Ron: What are some challenges you face in ministry?

Nasir: I personally face opposition, along with my village believers, like beatings, ridicule, and harassment in the marketplace from local Hindus. Also, it is difficult for me to travel long distances to various island villages for ministry work on foot without motorbike transportation. And, we have no worship place to meet. This would give us legitimacy in the eyes of others.

Ron: How has being involved with Global Sharing helped you in your ministry work?

Nasir: My involvement with Global Sharing strengthens me many times when it is difficult to be a follower of Jesus. Together we bless many communities with special meals for widows and children who are poor and often hungry. GS has introduced DMM disciple making movement to me which we have expanded now into 10 villages/islands into home churches. GS bibles, training, encouragement, and support mean so much to me.

Ron: What are some of your needs / prayer requests?

Nasir: I so value your encouragement during these hard times. Our people need more prayer regarding physical needs, work, family relationships. God is our Healer, and we have seen this! Not the shamans. They can do nothing. There are no hospitals around these islands, but with my medical background, the villagers would benefit from medical supplies. Pray for the power of the gospel to go forth and the One True God to continue to show Himself mightier and above all the Hindu gods worshipped here. Pray for our people to stand strong in the midst of their challenges. Thank you so much!  

Thanks for letting us officially introduce you to our partner and friend Nasir! We’d like to invite you to receive updates from Nasir through his WhatsApp Text Group where you can hear from him directly and even give him an encouraging word. Simply CLICK HERE and give us your phone number, and we’ll send you an invitation email! You’ll stay up-to-date with Nasir's ministry and gain a new friend too!!