FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Sylvana’s Story

Sylvana Airan is a distinguished member of Back to the Bible’s Board of Directors. But her connection to Back to the Bible and her passion for sharing God’s Word began long ago. From growing up in Pakistan to finding her way to the U.S., Sylvana’s journey reveals how God was preparing her, sometimes in ways she could not see, for “such a time as this.” May her story encourage you!

Sylvana, as a young teenager in Pakistan, you first encountered Back to the Bible in a rather unexpected way. What do you remember?

Growing up in Karachi, Pakistan, I loved listening to the radio, especially the top tunes from American and British artists. One day, I stumbled upon Radio Ceylon and a Back to the Bible broadcast. That discovery sparked a daily habit. Every morning from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m., BTTB played in the background as I got ready for school.

Tell us about your parents’ backgrounds, and what you learned from them.

My father’s great-grandparents were Hindus who converted to the Christian faith. My mother's father was a Jew, and her mother was a Christian.

My mother had a great impact on my life, helping to shape my speaking ministry and the Passion Play I wrote. She taught me to treat everyone with respect, regardless of their status, ethnicity, or religious background. She also instilled in me the importance of praying and reading the Bible.

My father influenced me through his love of table tennis, his insistence on punctuality (I still arrive hours early, which drives my sisters crazy!), and his example of hard work. He also taught me to read the Bible, especially on Good Friday while fasting, and to help those in need financially.

Your teen years were marked by religious persecution and deep personal pain. Can you share what you went through?

As a Christian in Pakistan, I couldn't understand why people were so cruel. Daily, I was told I was "unclean". I was forced to sit apart from other students and was constantly called worthless and stupid. Over time, I began to internalize those lies. When my parents disciplined me, I misread their actions as a lack of love, concluding that something was deeply wrong with me. My self esteem hit rock bottom.

In the midst of that pain, you reached a desperate point. What happened?

One day, while watching an American movie, I saw a teenager commit suicide by drinking rat poison. We had rat poison at home, and in my pain, I believed drinking it would end the hurt. One night, while my parents slept, I retrieved the poison, drank it, and fell asleep.

By God's grace, I woke up alive the next morning.

Parents have a way of finding things out, and my mother soon rushed me to the doctor. The family doctor looked at me and said, "You are a coward!" At the time, I felt offended—I thought taking such a drastic step took courage. But looking back, he was right: I was acting out of overwhelming pain and self-focus.

The doctor also warned my parents that someone who attempts suicide once will try again. But that same year, I attended a Youth for Christ camp in Northern Pakistan, where I accepted Jesus as my Savior, Protector, and Lord.

I proved the doctor's prediction wrong. You see, when you walk in a personal relationship with Jesus, He carries you through the valleys. Without the valleys, we wouldn't appreciate the mountains—and walking on the mountaintops with Jesus remains the highlight of my life.

How has that experience shaped the message you now share with others?

God has opened doors for me to share this story through a speaking ministry. My car’s license plate reads U R SPECL because I want everyone to know that God created each of us uniquely and with immense worth. John 3:16 was one of the first verses I memorized, and today, it remains the core message I share across the country: God loves you, and you are special to Him.

You dreamed of coming to America as a child. How did that become a reality?

After I got my bachelor's degree in Karachi, I applied to five universities in America. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln was the first to respond and the most affordable, so I came here in December 1978—smack in the middle of a snowstorm. I’d never seen snow!

I was also surprised while walking through downtown Lincoln by a gigantic sign that read: Back to the Bible. I couldn't believe it—the global headquarters was right in front of me!

I soon began listening to BTTB on the local station using my Panasonic transistor radio, which I still treasure today. Soon, I began participating in BTTB’s Biblical tours, where Scripture truly came alive before my eyes. In time, I was invited to prayerfully consider serving on the BTTB Board of Directors.

Looking back, God had been preparing me for "such a time as this." It remains a deep honor to serve Him through Back to the Bible as a board member.

God was preparing you in another way, too, long before you knew how He would use it. Where did your interest in theatre begin?

When I was a child in Pakistan, my parents often took me to local plays, including an outdoor Passion Play. We even had a View-Master reel of the Passion Play that I watched repeatedly into my teens. This was the foundation of what was to come.

When I arrived at the University of Nebraska, I initially chose Architecture as my major, but quickly realized it wasn't my calling, so I switched to Theatre. At the time, I had no idea what I would do with a theatre degree.

How did God use that training?

I began writing skits for youth groups and church events. Eventually, I asked to write and direct a full-scale Passion Play for our community. Scripture is naturally dramatic, so writing the story flowed easily. Talented friends built realistic stage sets, while church members sewed authentic Biblical costumes. We mastered stage makeup and even incorporated live animals—a donkey, baby lambs, birds, rabbits, and a few fainting goats for good measure!

All I learned at school—scriptwriting, set design, makeup, special effects, and staging—came together in the Passion Play. We recently celebrated over three decades of presenting this production.

How has The Passion Play given you an opportunity to influence others?

Each year, hundreds of people attend from surrounding towns, including international university students from diverse religious backgrounds. The core purpose is simple: to share that God loves every person, regardless of background; that Jesus died and rose again; and that eternal life is a free gift available to anyone who receives Him.

What does it mean to you to see how God used your life and faith?

I am continually humbled that God would qualify me to share the Gospel in such a vivid way—both in person and online, and through my speaking ministry—with our community and beyond. I know it’s often said, but it’s so true: God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. He’s done that in my life – and He’ll do it for you too!