Overseas versus Homeland Ministries

I appreciate Brian's strategic contribution. He highlights significant changes in their ministry approach as they shifted from an overseas ministry context to homeland ministry. I know Brian is a great Christian role model for the Kurdish guys in his life. PTL!

"My first long-term interaction with Muslims was as a development worker in Mindanao, Philippines.  These were poor farmers and folk Muslims.  They used charms and incantations to protect themselves from evil powers and guns to protect themselves from their human enemies.  Since some were barely finding food for each day, it wasn't hard to discern their needs.  My colleague and I got training in both sloping agricultural land technology and in health, in order to introduce new ideas that could dramatically improve their lives.  Those that were willing to try new farming methods were generally also willing to study the Bible with us.  After a lot of sweat and tears, we did establish a church of Muslim background believers.

When the Lord directed my family and I back to North America and put on our hearts the Kurdish people, we had an entirely different challenge before us.  The culture of the Maranaos of Mindanao was fear based.  The Kurdish culture is shame and honor based.  None of our Kurdish friends in Canada wonder how they’re going to feed their family tomorrow.  The Canadian social system lifts everyone above absolute poverty.  The provincial health program, food banks, welfare, and disability programs are already in place.  Initially, it seemed the Kurdish refugees and immigrants here didn't have practical needs.  How would we show them the love of Christ?  Gradually, as we learned their culture and their language and we became a part of their community, we did discover real and felt needs.  Here are some of their needs that are likely common to many immigrant communities.

First of all, they have both marital problems and struggles raising their children in this “foreign” culture.  It’s neither quick nor easy for the Kurds to accept our help in this very personal area, but we are beginning to have opportunities.  Secondly, even those who speak English fairly well have difficulty reading the myriad of forms and papers coming from government, kids’ schools, banks etc. We’re often asked, “What’s this?” or “What do I do with this?”  Thirdly, navigating the health system here is a challenge, and we have oft-times walked with or sat with our friends through it.  Fourthly, from time to time, a friend gets a parking or a traffic ticket.  What to do?  This doesn't happen “back home”.  They need someone to explain and advise them.  Other felt needs the Kurds have sought our help with—a place to hold their parties(our church sometimes fills this need) and help in sponsoring their relatives to come to Canada.

Let me be clear, however. I'm not “earning” the right to share my faith with my friends.  Jesus has clearly given us that authority already(Matt. 8:28) and the Holy Spirit has given us his power(Acts 1:8).  I try to talk about my faith from my earliest significant interactions with my Kurdish friends.  Rather, I am simply showing the love of Christ, loving my(Kurdish) neighbor."

Thank-you Father for sending Brian and Carol Ann back to their homeland for a unique ministry to Muslim immigrants. Bless their efforts with their Kurdish neighbors. Amen. 

The Sacrifice

"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29.

Muslims are celebrating Eid al Adha next week--their biggest annual religious celebration. They commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son. According to the Bible and later mentioned in the Qur'an, God intervened and supplied a lamb--a substitute. His son was spared.

Many Muslims slaughter a sheep to remember this sacrifice. One of my friends announced that he would sacrifice a goat during the week-end and divide the meat between themselves, their relatives, and the poor. Most Muslims don't know the true meaning of the sacrifice. They know they need to follow Abraham's example and by doing so hope to gain God's favor.

On the day of Eid, the Muslim community gathers for prayers, usually in a rented hall to accommodate a large crowd. Then they go home and prepare a big meal followed by visits to their Muslim neighbors and friends. Past misunderstandings are put aside and they go around greeting each other.

Can we use Eid al Adha as a bridge to the Gospel with Muslims? Yes, sacrifice and redemption are at the core of the Gospel summary in 1 Corinthians 15:3(Injil). Jesus truly was crucified and died on the cross and rose again so that we can live eternally. The Introduction to the 'All Nations Series' of the Jesus dvd (click) helps explain to our Muslim friends how Abraham's sacrifice foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice for everyone.

Most of my Muslim friends consider it impossible that Jesus could be their substitute and don't even see themselves as sinners. But for the small mistakes they make, they hope to make up for them. The thought is that if one continues to improve and keeps the requirements of Islam then perhaps God will have mercy and save me from hell.

In 'Connecting with Muslims' (page 148) Fuoad Masri shares this story:
     "If a friend of mine asks me to watch his house while he travels, he expects me to take care of his possessions. But lets say that while he is gone, I accidentally destroy the furniture. To make up for my lapse of judgement, I wash his car as a gesture of goodwill. Does washing his car cover the cost of replacing the furniture? No! If I ask my friend to have mercy and forgive me for destroying his furniture since I washed the car, is it acceptable? Of course not!
     Even if he forgave me, my friend still has to pay for the new furniture. Likewise, our good works are not righteous enough compared to God's righteousness. Our good works will never erase sin, for we are expected to do good and obey God's commandments.
     In contrast to a Muslim's perspective, a Christian standpoint sees God as holy and all humans as sinful. No one is righteous in the sight of God. Sin must be punished by death, an eternal separation from God. All are in need of salvation through an eternal sacrifice. Only Jesus was sinless from birth and conquered sin and Satan. As the Word of God, Jesus is the only one who can intercede for and redeem all humanity."

Dear Jesus, you are the only lamb of God. Thank-you for salvation that you freely give through your ultimate sacrifice. Amen.

Reaching Muslim Neighbors

Guest writer Nathan's father was my colleague in evangelism in Pakistan and later relocated to England to serve the Muslim community. Here are trends Nathan highlighted in a magazine article.

"As I step out of my house and head into the city centre, I walk through neighborhoods heavily populated by ethnic minorities representing many unreached people groups. They come from a variety of countries but are setting down roots and increasing here in Bradford, as in many cities throughout the UK.

Throughout Europe, Islam is growing as a result of immigration and high birth rates. Huge mosques are being built; students are arriving from Muslim countries, both to be educated but also to proclaim their own religion. Muslim leaders are arriving from overseas to teach and train young men to be active in defending and spreading Islamic teachings and culture, and Islamic schools are increasing in number with this end in view. This is a challenge to society, but also a challenge to the church and to all Christians, a challenge that must be confronted with the same love, compassion and care exemplified by Jesus, a challenge to be active in reaching the nations on our doorsteps.

Muslims are proud that their religion is growing rapidly. For the Muslim, Islam represents a worldwide brotherhood and unity is seen as its adherents observe Islam's various rites and festivals. Nevertheless, in reality, many ordinary Muslims know little about their faith, whilst remaining proud of following the religion of their forefathers.

Unlike many British people, Muslims do fear God and are generally interested to talk to the 'People of the Book', that is, Christians. This openness to religious conversation gives us a huge opportunity to explain the gospel. We need to explain simply and gently the truths of the Trinity, the sonship of Christ, the cross and the resurrection. This takes much patience and perseverance. The Lord Jesus is sovereign in evangelism and will lead us to those in whom the Holy Spirit is at work.

Beyond the challenge of teaching the gospel to Muslims lies that of helping Christian believers from an Asian background feel at home in British churches.

First, a great deal of suspicion exists between all parties involved.

Second, ex-Muslim believers are often afraid. By changing religious loyalties they have cut themselves off from their own community and they can face opposition and danger, which can become greater if they are active in a church.

Third, for the two above reasons, believers from the Indian subcontinent can feel isolated and lonely. They deprive themselves of fellowship, and the temptation to return to Islam can be overwhelming. The fact of the British involvement in wars in Muslim lands also does not help. Ex-Muslims need to understand that British churches are not political in this way and do not necessarily approve of British foreign policy.

So then, the challenges of evangelism and church in communities where there are many Muslims are numerous. Nevertheless, the church can and must arise and in the power of the Holy Spirit boldly and lovingly take the gospel into every corner of multicultural Britain. As we proclaim the gospel and include people from all backgrounds into our churches we will catch a foretaste of heaven.”

Almighty God, thank-you for calling Nathan from a new generation to carry on ministry. Bless him and his family as they reach out to Muslims "on their doorstep". Amen.