They Called Me “An Infidel,” But God Called Me to Build Hope: The Story of Maranatha Christian Schools in Pakistan
A Childhood Marked by Discrimination
During my school days, I often heard the cruel phrase, “You are an infidel,” simply because of my Christian faith. The Urdu word “Chora” — meaning dirty, low, or worthless — was also hurled at me and other Christian students. These words cut deeply, not only because they came from classmates, but because they reflected a larger societal prejudice that Christian children faced in Pakistan.
I was born into a Christian family. My father was the headmaster of a government high school. Though I was always neat, clean, and disciplined, I could not escape the daily discrimination that came with being a Christian. Every day brought fresh insults, ridicule, and emotional pain — and as a young boy, I didn’t understand why I was treated differently or how to respond.
In my class of more than sixty students, there were only two Christians. Facing such hostility daily made school a place of fear rather than learning. Whenever I shared my pain at home, my family told me to stay silent, endure, and not retaliate. That was the only “safe” choice we had.
The Struggles That Shaped a Calling
Some of my Christian friends eventually dropped out of school. They couldn’t bear the pressure and humiliation. Four of my close friends, bright and capable, left school and ended up in low-paying jobs. The emotional scars of those years stayed with me long after I graduated. Yet through that pain, God planted a seed — a calling to change things for the next generation.
Even in college, discrimination lingered. Although students were older and somewhat more mature, the underlying bias against Christians persisted. Over the years, I realized that this silent suffering was pushing thousands of Christian children out of education. Many never made it past primary school. Fear, poverty, and prejudice drove them away — and they grew up with broken confidence, little opportunity, and no hope for a brighter future.
The Vision That Became a Mission
I often thought: If I, with an educated father and some support, felt this much pain, what about the children who had none? That question stayed with me. For years, I carried it in prayer — and in March 2021, by the grace of God, that prayer turned into action.
We opened Maranatha Christian High School in Lahore, a tuition-free Christian school that provides quality education for underprivileged Christian children. What began as a small step of faith became a beacon of hope for hundreds of boys and girls who once faced the same rejection and suffering I endured.
Through this school, these children not only receive education but also learn their true identity in Christ. They study in an environment filled with love, prayer, and encouragement — not mockery or fear. Today, many of our students who once had no hope are excelling academically and spiritually. Their smiles are brighter, their dreams bigger, and their faith stronger.
Transforming Futures Through Faith and Education
The Maranatha Christian Schools in Pakistan became more than just classrooms — they became sanctuaries of hope. Children who might have been working as laborers, street vendors, or beggars are now sitting in clean classrooms, reading books, and learning about Jesus. Each lesson, each prayer, each notebook represents freedom — freedom from fear, poverty, and ignorance.
The journey was not easy. We faced many challenges — financial constraints, societal resistance, and the enormous task of sustaining a tuition-free Christian school. But God’s faithfulness never failed. Supporters, friends, and believers from around the world stood with us in prayer and in partnership. Together, we witnessed lives being transformed.
A Call to Continue the Mission
Looking back, I realize that my childhood pain had a divine purpose — to prepare me for this mission. God turned my suffering into compassion and my memories into motivation. The Maranatha Christian High School stands as proof that when God gives a vision, He also provides the strength to fulfill it.
However, the work is far from over. Thousands of Christian children in Pakistan still need help — children who face the same discrimination, rejection, and hopelessness that once marked my own childhood. Our mission must continue.
I invite you to pray, support, and stand with us as we keep providing free Christian education to those who need it most. Your support ensures that no child is left behind, no dream forgotten, and no light extinguished.
Because when we educate a child in Christ, we don’t just change a mind — we transform a life.
If this story has touched your heart and inspired you to be part of this vision — to rescue children from poverty, illiteracy, and hopelessness — we invite you to partner with us. Together, we can continue providing free Christian education to underprivileged children and shape a brighter, faith-filled future for the next generation. Your prayers, love, and support make an eternal difference. You can send your gift securely through PayPal at www.gsministries.org and become a part of this life-changing mission to save children and share the light of Christ in Pakistan.
Rev. Dr. Naeem Nasir
President, Good Samaritan Ministries & Maranatha Christian High School, Pakistan