What does it mean to pray? What is faith? How can God forgive me? And how can I forgive other
people?

John Albert, a brick-kiln worker in Pakistan, was helped to address these questions when he studied
basic Christian doctrine with Open Theological Seminary (OTS).

“The course changed my life in many ways,” he says. “Christians here go to church because it is their
tradition, and I did too. When I was invited to do an OTS course three years ago, I learned the
purpose of prayer and what it is to talk to God. I discovered that I needed to accept Jesus Christ in a
personal way.”

Bound to brick-kiln work by debt, one of John Albert’s prayers was that he would obtain his
freedom. And he did, when a non-governmental organisation cleared his debt. “I asked the Lord to
take me out of slavery and to give me a home,” he says. “The Lord answered my prayers and
blessed me.”

Now living in Lahore, John Albert (39) earns a living for himself and his wife by painting and by
polishing furniture. And with the help of his training at OTS he is able to participate more fully in the
life of the church, serving as a pastoral assistant and evangelist.

“My prayer is that God will give us children,” he says. “We don’t have any. If God doesn’t give us
children I will still be happy in Christ but this is my prayer.”

Since 2005, hundreds of Christians in northeast Pakistan have been helped to a deeper
understanding of the faith through the teaching ministry of Walter Waheed, supported by
Blythswood. In an average month, Walter travels widely, making theological
education accessible to low-income Christians like John Albert.

John Albert (left) with his teacher at OTS, Walter Waheed: more than a certificate, theology changes
lives.