Podcast Summary: GPS God. People. Stories.

Episode: A Pilot Risks Persecution to Share Christ in His Homeland

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association | January 28, 2026

Host: Jim Kirkland
Guest: Bassett Hamad

Overview

This episode explores the remarkable journey of Bassett Hamad, a Christian from an unnamed country where following Jesus is met with severe persecution. Despite numerous obstacles—including poverty, societal rejection, and constant danger—Bassett chooses to dedicate his life to Christ and ultimately pursues a calling to become a missionary pilot, aiming to reach isolated communities in his homeland. His story embodies resilience, faith, and a steadfast commitment to the Great Commission, all under the threat of life-altering consequences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Growing Up Under Persecution

• Early Life: Bassett shares that Christian evangelism is illegal in his home country (name withheld for safety). Christians are a tiny minority (~0.2%).

• Family Hardship: His father was denied employment due to his faith, pushing the family into poverty.

  “Sometimes all we have to eat is just bread and water. And when I talk about bread, it's just bread. No sides, no fancy ranch, nothing else. Just bread. Water was also one of the big challenges.” – Bassett Hamad [02:33]

• School Discrimination: Bassett was the only Christian student in his school, facing social ostracism and daily rejection.

  "They did not wanted to sit with me, share their meals with me, or sometime even play with me." – Bassett Hamad [02:58]

• Parental Guidance: His parents encouraged him to find strength in God. He particularly clings to Proverbs 3:5–6 as a life verse.

  "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean onto your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all thy ways, and he shall direct your path." – Bassett Hamad [03:16]

2. An Unforgettable Gift: Operation Christmas Child

• At age 13, Bassett received his first-ever gift through Samaritan’s Purse. The shoebox, containing school supplies and a picture Bible, was deeply meaningful.

  "Before that, I have never received a gift in my life... one of the most precious thing that I received in my shoebox was a picture Bible." – Bassett Hamad [05:01]

• Despite the Bible being in English, Bassett’s mother would help him connect the stories to references in their language. The gift nurtured his budding faith.

  “My mom always used to tell us to pray about the things that we need and God will provide us at the right time. ...that picture Bible was an answer to my prayers.” – Bassett Hamad [05:31]

3. Faith Tested and Solidified

• Teenage Doubts: At 16, Bassett sought deeper answers during a church camp after a minor accident embarrassed him in front of peers.

• Honest Questions: He privately questioned a preacher about suffering and why God allows his hardships.

  “Why did Jesus give his life for me on the cross? If God is sovereign, why doesn't he save me?... He answered my question, starting from the creation, from God all the way to the message of salvation and gave me all of the biblical references.” – Bassett Hamad [07:58]

• Conversion: Through reflection and hearing John 3:16, Bassett accepted Christ, understanding both the cost and the joy found in salvation.

  “I know it is challenging, I know it's difficult, but there are believers in my country and they find joy if they will get persecuted on God's name.” – Bassett Hamad [09:11]

4. Serving as a Young Christian

• Bassett began serving in his local church, playing a traditional instrument and participating in street evangelism.
• Recognized the need to reach remote villages inaccessible by road.
• Initial attempts to hike to these communities failed due to harsh conditions and lack of resources.

5. A Higher Calling: Becoming a Missionary Pilot

• Prayed for a way to reach isolated villages with the gospel—envisioned using aircraft.
• Realized civil aviation was unavailable in his country and military charters were unaffordable.
• Contacted international mission aviation organizations; one in Alaska encouraged him to train as a pilot in the U.S.

  “They said...they couldn't do what he ultimately could do. So they suggested he come to the United States to get his flight training to become a missionary pilot back in his country.” – Jim Kirkland [12:05]

6. A Long Wait and Miraculous Breakthroughs

• Nine years of struggle: raising funds, building connections, and waiting for a U.S. visa, facing significant discouragement.

• Faced near hopelessness due to political and personal barriers:

  “The consultants, everybody was telling me that I'm not going to be able to go to US because there is no chance they're going to give me the visa... all negative that I'm going to get visa. There was no chance.” – Bassett Hamad [13:38]

• Encouragement of faith:

  “Prayer is the nerve that moves the muscle of God. …We walk by faith and not by sight.” – Bible college president (paraphrased by Bassett Hamad) [14:22]

• Finally received the visa, moved to the U.S., and attended Bible college—calling it a complete miracle.

7. New Connections and Life Transformation in the U.S.

• At a U.S. church, he recognized Operation Christmas Child and became a volunteer spokesperson, sharing how the shoebox ministry had impacted him.
• Met his future wife at a spokesperson training. Earned a master’s degree, became a pilot, and began the process of ordination.
• Established a nonprofit focused on bringing sound doctrine and the gospel to unreached groups, including in his own country.

  "There is a big need of the gospel in my country and we want to do that. And God is slowly opening up the door of aviation as well." – Bassett Hamad [16:11]

Memorable Quotes & Encouragement

• On Enduring Persecution:

  “I personally know believers and pastors who have lost their lives because of their faith...But there is one thing that I knew that I'm saved and that was the joy because I'm saved from God's wrath. And that was just so precious and amazing for me.” – Bassett Hamad [09:11]

• On Trust and Prayer:

  “Trust in the Lord and lean onto your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all thy ways and he shall direct your path. ... Pray, pray, pray. …Great commission is for everybody. It's not a suggestion.” – Bassett Hamad [20:22]

• Encouragement from Billy Graham:

  "Nowhere in the Bible do I read that Christians should expect it to be normal, to be popular or comfortable or successful in the eyes of this world... you will be blessed and happy and have special compensations and rewards if you suffer persecution." – Billy Graham [17:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] – Bassett recounts the risks of being a Christian in his country
• [02:12] – Describes poverty and discrimination faced by his family
• [03:16] – Shares the life verse that shaped his endurance
• [04:40] – Receives Operation Christmas Child shoebox and picture Bible
• [06:59] – Youth camp questioning/accident leads to open-hearted conversation about faith
• [08:36] – His conversion and decision to follow Christ despite the risks
• [09:51] – Begins ministry and local evangelism
• [10:24] – Vision to reach remote villages, challenges of poverty and lack of resources
• [11:19] – Prays for ways to access remote areas—dreams of flying
• [12:05] – Invitation to the U.S. for pilot training
• [13:38] – Struggles and discouragement about moving forward
• [14:22] – Encouragement from Bible college president about prayer and faith
• [15:03] – Surprise church connection to Operation Christmas Child in the U.S.
• [16:11] – Forms nonprofit and prepares for long-term ministry back home
• [20:22] – Bassett’s primary lesson for listeners: trust, pray, and participate in the Great Commission

Conclusion

Bassett’s life story is both a testament to the power of faith amidst hardship and a call to action for all Christians. His journey—from isolated believer to future missionary pilot and church leader—exemplifies how prayer, perseverance, and willingness to trust God’s direction can lead to extraordinary outcomes, even in the most restricted and perilous circumstances.

Final words from Bassett:

“Great commission is for everybody. It's not a suggestion... God has a way that he's going to use us for his kingdom and for his glory.” [20:22]

For more resources on faith, boldness in adversity, or to learn about developing a relationship with Jesus, visit findpeacewithgod.net.