Reaching American Muslims Through Understanding and Engaging Them

Reaching American Muslims through Understanding and Engaging Them

Prepared by Dr. Mark Hausfeld Global Initiative: Reaching Muslims Peoples Assemblies of God World Missions

Presented to the Rocky Mountain District Council April 27, 2011

Definitions:

 Islam  Muslim

5 Pillars of Islam

 Shahadah  Zakat  Salat  Ramadan  Hajj

Islam Around the World

 1.5 Billion Muslims on the planet  25% of earth’s population  1 out of 4 persons is a Muslim  Growth primarily by birthrate  Growth by Immigration  Growth by Conversion  4-7 million Muslims in the United States  Why is God Bringing Muslims to America? (Act 17: 24-28)

Goals of the Muslim Community in the United States

 To organize local Mosques  To train their children in Islamic Studies  To have greater media access  To be increasingly political involved  To develop and further da’wah to North America

Reasons Why Muslims Convert

 Observing the lives of Christians  Were given a Bible in their first language  Signs, wonders and miracles  Understanding the love of God in the Bible  Discouraged with Islam

Theological Values Between Muslims and Christians

 Holy Books  Prayer  Fasting  Angels  One God  Common Spiritual Heritage (Abraham)

Common Lifestyle Values Between Muslims and Christians

 “Kindness is the first expression of love” (Mother Teresa)  Righteousness in gender relationships  “Do you know my name?”  Befriend  Pray for their needs  Share your testimony (within 30 minutes of meeting them)  Hospitality (Biblical but forgotten in Western culture)  Meals together  Religion in daily life  Morality  Family life cherished (husband-wife and child/children relationships)  Marriage-divorce and remarriage  How do race, color and ethnicity affect religion  Gender roles according to faiths

Guidelines for Effective Evangelism

 Know your audience (Study Islam as a religion and how it is practiced)  Develop a friendship of trust within the bounds of your gender  Pray everyday for your Muslim friend  Share the gospel regularly in a none offensive manner  Show hospitality (invite into your home)  Meet their felt needs when you have opportunity  Encourage a response to the truth claims of the gospel  Don’t argue with them. It gains nothing.  Muslims coming to faith is a process more than a decision (takes time)  They may not be ready to embrace Jesus according to the Bible  Continue to be a friend  Keep praying for and loving them  Pray with them for signs, wonders and miracles in Jesus Name  Remember the 5 reasons Muslims convert

Our Muslim Neighbors: So Close Yet So Far…Remember:

 Muslims are not excluded from God’s love  Muslims are not outside the borders of the Great Commission  Muslims are not our enemies  Muslims are NOT secure in their Islamic faith and community

Remember: (Thought reminder by Brother Andrew)

I S L A M

I Sincerely Love All Muslims