How One Teenager’s Faith in Zanzibar Caused Revival
Part 2 of 2
By Sheila-Ann Bender
In short: On the 2025 Global Day of Youth Evangelism, over 298,000 teenagers from 87 countries shared the gospel with their peers—the largest coordinated youth evangelism effort in recorded history. But behind the statistics lies a story of profound courage: a Muslim teenager in Zanzibar named Aeisha who placed her faith in Christ, refused to deny Him under threat of death, and sparked a spiritual awakening that continues to spread.
What Is the Global Day of Youth Evangelism?
On Saturday, November 8, Greg Stier—founder and visionary of Dare 2 Share Ministries—joined hundreds of thousands of teenagers around the world for the 2025 Global Day of Youth Evangelism (GDYE). On that single day, students were inspired, equipped, and sent out to share the gospel with their peers.
The response was extraordinary:
6,715
churches from 87 countries registered
298,150+
teenagers participating worldwide
Never before in recorded history has there been such a coordinated global effort mobilizing young people to share the message of Christ in a single day.
Who Was Aeisha?
Dare 2 Share’s vision is bold: To see every teen, everywhere, hear the gospel from a friend. But sometimes that bold vision unfolds at great cost.
During a Lead the Cause training event in Africa, a youth leader from Kenya named Joe had been trained to equip Christian teenagers across the continent to share their faith. His work often took place in regions where evangelism is not only discouraged—but dangerous.
One such location was Zanzibar, an island that is approximately 98 percent Muslim and highly restrictive toward Christian proselytizing.
A Divine Encounter
While searching for the address where a group of Christian teens had gathered for training, Joe became lost. As he walked through the streets, he encountered a Muslim teenage girl named Aeisha, who noticed his confusion and kindly offered to guide him.
As they walked together, Aeisha began asking questions: Why was he in Zanzibar? Why was he looking for that address?
Joe hesitated at first. But eventually he explained that he was meeting with Christian teens to train them to share the gospel. To his surprise, Aeisha asked if she could come inside with him.
Inside the meeting room, students were learning how to share their faith using the Life in 6 Words app, a simple tool that explains the gospel through the acronym G.O.S.P.E.L.
As the training and role-playing continued, one of the teens noticed that Aeisha had checked a box in the app indicating she had placed her faith in Christ. Unsure if she fully understood what she had done, the teen asked Joe for guidance. Joe encouraged her to ask Aeisha directly.
When asked if she truly meant to place her faith in Jesus Christ, Aeisha responded without hesitation:
“This is the best news I’ve ever heard—I will not deny it.”
What Happened When Aeisha Shared Her Faith?
Filled with excitement about the love of Christ, Aeisha shared the gospel with five friends at school the very next day. Three of them also placed their faith in Jesus.
The other two reported her to the Muslim authorities.
Aeisha was taken into custody and held for twenty-four hours, pressured repeatedly to renounce her faith. During that time, she asked for permission to write a letter to her classmates. Miraculously, the authorities allowed it.
In that letter, Aeisha boldly proclaimed her faith in Christ and encouraged her fellow students to believe the gospel as well.
When her twenty-four hours in custody ended, Aeisha still refused to deny Christ.
Tragically, she was taken to the town square and stoned to death—a modern-day martyr whose courage shook an entire community.
What Happened After Aeisha’s Death?
After her tragic execution, many classmates placed their faith in Christ. Word began spreading rapidly, bringing about a spiritual awakening that could not be stopped.
Greg Stier now shares her story with audiences around the world. “They killed Aeisha for sharing her faith,” he explains. “But her courage inspired the very students who had come to Christ.”
He often asks teenagers:
“Are you willing to die of embarrassment to share Christ with your friends? Are you willing to have the courage of Aeisha?”
How Is This Movement Growing Worldwide?
Stories like Aeisha’s remind us why Dare 2 Share continues its mission to equip young people for evangelism. Since its founding in 1991, the ministry has helped mobilize a global movement:
60,000+
youth groups worldwide embracing the Dare 2 Share philosophy
519,000
website users from 90% of the world’s countries in 2024
8,000
youth groups in 100+ countries registered for GDYE 2025
28%
increase in youth gospel conversations through the Life in 6 Words app
Ironically, Nigeria—one of the most persecuted countries in the world—reported the highest number of GDYE registrations, followed by Argentina, with the United States coming in third.
“A global revival could be in play,” says Greg. “There is a spiritual hunger in this generation unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. People want answers that society hasn’t provided—and they are very open to talking about God. Could a spiritual awakening be upon us? Let’s not blow it.”
Why Is This the Moment to Reach Teenagers?
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” — Matthew 9:37
Today there are more than one billion teenagers alive worldwide—the largest youth generation in history. The opportunity to reach them for Christ has never been greater.
Through Dare 2 Share, young believers are rising—bold, equipped, and unashamed to share the gospel with their friends.
Because when teens go, they grow. And when they share, eternity is changed.
Key Takeaways
Persecution Cannot Stop the Gospel
Aeisha’s martyrdom did not end the spread of faith in Zanzibar—it accelerated it. Her classmates came to Christ in the aftermath, demonstrating that the blood of martyrs remains the seed of the church.
New Believers Share Immediately
Aeisha shared the gospel with five friends the very next day after her conversion. New believers often have the most natural connections to unreached people—and the freshest urgency to share.
Simple Tools Reach the Unreached
The Life in 6 Words app provided the framework through which Aeisha understood and embraced the gospel. Accessible, translatable tools extend the reach of the gospel into places missionaries cannot easily go.
The Persecuted Church Is Leading
Nigeria—one of the most dangerous places for Christians—had the highest GDYE registration. Believers facing persecution often demonstrate the boldest faith and the greatest hunger for gospel training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Day of Youth Evangelism?
The Global Day of Youth Evangelism (GDYE) is an annual event organized by Dare 2 Share where teenagers around the world are trained and sent out to share the gospel with their peers on the same day. In 2025, over 298,000 teens from 87 countries participated.
Is the story of Aeisha true?
Yes. Aeisha’s story comes from firsthand accounts shared by Joe, the Kenyan youth leader who was present when she came to faith in Zanzibar. Greg Stier shares her testimony at Dare 2 Share events to illustrate both the cost and the power of the gospel.
Why is Zanzibar dangerous for Christians?
Zanzibar is approximately 98 percent Muslim with strict laws against Christian proselytizing. Converting from Islam to Christianity can result in severe social consequences, imprisonment, or even death. Despite these dangers, believers continue to share their faith.
How can teenagers share the gospel using the Life in 6 Words app?
The Life in 6 Words app teaches the G.O.S.P.E.L. acronym: God created us to be with Him, Our sins separate us from God, Sins cannot be removed by good deeds, Paying the price Jesus died and rose again, Everyone who trusts in Him has eternal life, Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever. The app is available in 24 languages.
How can my youth group participate in the Global Day of Youth Evangelism?
Youth groups can register for GDYE through dare2share.org. The ministry provides free training resources, curriculum, and access to the Life in 6 Words app to equip teenagers to share their faith confidently.
How You Can Be Part of the Movement
Youth leaders and teens can join this growing movement by visiting dare2share.org, where they will find free youth ministry curriculum, training resources and events, Greg Stier’s podcast and books, and tools like the Life in 6 Words app that equip students to share the gospel.
Together, we can raise up a generation ready to reach cities—and nations—for Christ.
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Ready to mobilize your youth group for the gospel? Visit dare2share.org for free resources, training events, webinars, Greg Stier’s podcast and published books, and tools to equip the next generation as disciple-makers.
Read Part 1: “Go Young — Change the World” explores how Greg Stier founded Dare 2 Share, the “go young” philosophy, and the Life in 6 Words training framework.
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About the Author
Sheila-Ann Bender is a writer and ministry contributor who documents stories of faith and transformation. She specializes in sharing testimonies of God’s work through organizations reaching the next generation with the gospel.
About Dare 2 Share Ministries
Dare 2 Share Ministries was founded in 1991 by Greg Stier with a vision to see every teen, everywhere, hear the gospel from a friend. The ministry equips youth leaders and teenagers through training events, the Life in 6 Words app, and extensive free resources. Over 60,000 youth groups worldwide have embraced the Dare 2 Share philosophy. Learn more at dare2share.org.
