EVANGELIZING THE "HOSTILES"

(That’s for all you fellow LOST fans out there)

“How does one start a church among a people who have been hostile to the church for many centuries?”  On more than one occasion someone has asked me this or a similar question in regards to our evangelistic outreach among the Djoula Muslims.  From our Western, especially American perspective, this question seems incredibly valid.  If there is a part of the world that is most hostile to the church or the “American way,” it is the Islamic world.

Since there is a lot to this question that I would like to tackle, I think it will be best to address it in three parts.  Part one I will discuss our mindset, Part two will cover our method we use and Part three will discuss our message.  My hope is that it might help us understand Muslim people not as hostiles, but like anybody else, those in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Part One: The Mindset… Our Struggle is not against Flesh and Blood

It is really easy to slip into an “us” vs. “them” attitude, no matter what the situation may be.  We tend to be self-centered in our thinking… whether we like it or not.  Throw in a history of negative interactions and bad feelings, and you get a situation ripe for mistrust and suspicion.  It’s the Christian and Muslim world’s version of the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s family feud.

 Like many other conflicts, the problem often isn’t those cited on the surface level, but what lies underneath, unseen that poses the greater problem.  Usually we want to point out the “great differences” in theology and doctrine, but when compared to other religions in this world, the differences are small.  The real problem, we have a history… and a really negative one at that.  (If you want to know more, study the history of the Crusades, not exactly the church’s crowning moments.)  So how do we overcome deeply rooted biases against one another?  We overcome them by building bridges… loving our enemies, admitting the faults of our ancestors, seeking reconciliation, serving as peacemakers.

 Paul reminds us that we are in a war, but our enemy is not who we think it is.  He tells us to prepare for battle, putting on the full armor of God, but he reminds us that, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) 

 A Muslim person is a husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter who has concerns to deal with, needs to be met and a heart needing to love and be loved by their Creator and community.  In other words, they are a lot like you and me.  Their kids get sick, their rent comes due and they work hard to earn a living… we do what we can to help make their lives fuller.  We love our neighbors no matter who they are, where they worship, or how they pray. 

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)