Send! Web Extras - Second Half of 2008
Black Magician Becomes a Missionary
Zamkit Taidy is now a student in this GFA Bible college in Assam. |
Zamkit Taidy had surpassed even his own father's power and fame—and he was only 15 years old.
Zamkit's father was a head priest in his village in Assam, India. He led others in their animist worship of nature. They would sacrifice pigs, chickens, ducks, pigeons and homemade wine as part of their worship. Zamkit's father was also famous for his ability to perform black magic.
Zamkit began learning his father's craft when he was just a small boy. By the time he was 15, he was a master in the art of black magic. He became more powerful than his teacher—his own father—and his fame began to spread throughout Assam. People from distant villages came to him seeking deliverance from their sicknesses and other problems.
Zamkit was at the height of his fame and success, but he was not content. He lacked peace in his own heart.Zamkit was at the height of his fame and success, but he was not content. He lacked peace in his own heart. And, even though he was successfully healing others, his own family was under constant attack from the evil spirits Zamkit routinely consulted to perform his magic.
Zamkit began searching for another way: He wanted to serve a God who loved and cared for people.
That's when he met a Gospel for Asia missionary who shared the Gospel with him. As Zamkit listened, he was astonished to hear about a God who loves him without requiring sacrifices. Zamkit chose to receive Jesus as his personal Savior.
He was the first person in his village to follow Christ.
The people who had previously come to Zamkit seeking his dark powers were livid when they learned of his decision to follow Christ. They began to openly harass him, threatening him with dire consequences unless he renounced Christ and returned to his black magic.
But Zamkit stood up to their attacks and continued to follow Christ. The opposition then turned to his wife and two children who had also put their faith in Jesus. The group tried to use black magic to hurt them, and even tried to drive them out of the village. Zamkit and his family responded by fasting and praying, and God protected them.
As he grew in his faith, Zamkit began to feel burdened in his heart for the villagers all around him whom he knew were in spiritual darkness and perishing without Christ. He realized that it was God's call to serve full-time in ministry.
Today, Zamkit is a student at a GFA Bible college in Assam. The leaders at his Bible college ask for prayer for God to meet all the needs of Zamkit's wife and two children, who remain at home while he is studying. They also request prayer for Zamkit, that he would be able to successfully complete his studies and see many people come to Christ when he begins full-time ministry.
