Tim Moore: Our very special guest is Dr. Michael Youssef, the senior pastor of Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia. Having grown up in Egypt speaking Arabic, he has become an expert on the cultural, political, and religious implications of Islam. We have been following his ministry, Leading the Way, for many years and have been blessed by it.
We will be referencing Dr. Youssef’s excellent ‘books, The Barbarians Are Here and Is the End Near?. The former addresses Islamist Islam, referring to those people who have been radicalized into Islam and have been invading the West in their jihadi holy war.
Dr. Youssef, how do those of us living in the ever-darkening 21st century speak the Gospel truth to Muslims?
Dr. Youssef: We need to speak truth to power. We need to tell our governments here in the West, whether they be Europe or America or Canada, to please, if you want to bring immigrants into your countries, then bring the persecuted Christians whose lives are on the line in their home countries. Christians are the ones who really need asylum, not those who would wage a holy war—a jihad—against the West in order to convert the world to Islam. This is something that we must do.
At the same time, Christians can see Islamic immigration as an opportunity for us to share Christ, in all of His glory and majesty, with those immigrants who have come to our countries. Not all of them, of course, are here on a holy mission. There are some who are here simply to receive a better future for their children, and they would say so. So, but we do not need to be afraid of them. We can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly with them.
We can also support the several former Muslim preachers in the United States who became saved and are now Christian preachers. These evangelists now proclaim Christ all over the United States. My ministry support some of them. I know them and they need prayer. Encourage these preachers by helping them in their evangelistic efforts.
Nathan Jones: More than any time in history, Christians have the opportunity to reach out to Muslims because we don’t have to go to the Middle East to engage them. Instead, the Muslims are coming here. I even grew up with friends who were Muslims, and so they’re integrating somewhat into our society.
What then are the opportunities for Christians to, one, get over their fear of Muslims? I’d say that many Christians are very scared of talking to, much less sharing, the Gospel with a Muslim. How do we actually get over our fears? And, two, Is there a particular method that works best to evangelize a Muslim?
Dr. Youssef: I think the most important thing is not to try to know their religion so that you can reach them. I I know some people like that strategy, but I would just stick with sharing Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I’m lifted up.” So, when you lift up Jesus, and they see Him lived out in your life, Muslims are going to be asking you questions.
I’ll tell you exactly what happened back in 1982. There was a group of Christians in the Middle East (I won’t mention the country), who were desperately crying out to God. They began a prayer movement. They prayed, “Lord, we cannot evangelize outside of our church walls.” In their particular country, you could evangelize in the church, but not outside. “We can’t do this. Would you help us by revealing yourself to them?” And that prayer began a great movement.
I was there in person in the Middle East in the early 1980s. I witnessed the beginning of that prayer movement take off and spread from Morocco to Indonesia.
God has answered that prayer in abundance. He’s revealed Himself to thousands of lost people through visions and in dreams. And so, even here, we need to be praying just like that. We, too, should be praying that God would supernaturally reveal Himself to our people.
When the Muslims come to our countries, don’t be intimidated by them. Welcome them, and boldly share Christ with them.
Tim Moore: First Chronicles 12:32 says that back in the day the sons of Issachar understood the times in which they were living and so knew what to do. Likewise, Christians today need to understand the times in which we are living so that we can know what to do. And the first thing to do is for us to be bold in proclaiming the truth, for the truth is Christ. We shouldn’t be weak-kneed and timid. Rather, we need to be bold! That’s exactly what you and your ministry have been doing so boldly among Muslims.
Dr. Youssef: Praise God! This boldness does not come from us, but rather it’s the boldness that the Holy Spirit gives us. Once the the Holy Spirit instills us with boldness, He also gives us the words to speak. Then He’s going to anoint those words so that they penetrate deep into the hearts of those who are desperate.
We’ve even seen members of ISIS come to Christ due to the dreams and visions God has been giving people in the Middle East and North Africa. Our God is a God of the impossible! So, let’s get out of our comfort zones and get out into the battlefield.
Please visit my website at Leading the Way. There you are going to get more information about how to pray, support, and stand with those valiant men and women in the Middle East.
Tim Moore: Dr. Youssef, we pray for God’s blessing on you, your ministry, your family, and that you will continue to be a conduit to blessing to the Muslim community, both here and in the Middle East. The will of our Heavenly Father is that none would be left behind whom He intends to bring to salvation in Jesus Christ.
