June 2007 - SHALOM INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

June 2007

Outreach to Muslims.

When many evangelicals think of "Arabs”, they picture Muslims. Then they associate "Muslim” with terrorists and bombs strapped to their bodies. Or a people bent on world domination. Or the enemies of Jews and Israel. Most certainly, many Christians see "Arabs” and/or Muslims as enemies of the Church and of Jews.

When I think of "Arabs” and "Muslims”, I picture the other seed of Abraham for whom Jesus Christ bled and died. I see God preserving Hagar and her crying son Ishmael when it appeared both would perish. I see Jacob scared to death to meet his brother Esau, and the encounter ending with both men embracing with tears and sacred kisses.

Is God any different today?

And I see Arabs seeking the true and living God and thirsting for the real Jesus. Remember the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out by God the Father? Of all the peoples flooding Jerusalem during this feast day, we find "Arabs” listed among them, Imagine! The Holy Spirit speaking through the newly Spirit-filled believers in languages they had never learned—including the Arab tongue! (Acts 2:11)

Is God any different today? Yes, many Muslims hate Christians. Some are ready to commit suicide. Others dream of world control by Islam. Many would cheer if Israel was erased from history. And some tried to stone me to death in Jerusalem where we barely escaped with our lives.

But Jesus' blood was poured out for all—including Arabs! Including Muslims! And part of the great heavenly throng will be born-again, Jesus loving, Holy Spirit filled children of Ishmael. Of Arabs! Of Muslims! I think of Yusef, an Israeli/Arab who loves "Isa Masi” (Jesus the Messiah). This special man and his family literally reach hundreds of thousands of people across the Moslem world through the internet.

But Jesus' blood was poured out for all—including Arabs!

And when I speak to Muslims in Israel, I don't speak of Christianity or any recognized religion. I speak of the Cross—of Jesus—of Isa—the Son of the living God giving His life for all. And I hear how many hundreds of Muslims worldwide—many young—are having dreams of Jesus inviting them to trust in His love.

Muslims suffer from guilt and a lack of peace. The answer is Jesus. Muslims have broken hearts and sick bodies. The answer is Jesus and boldly praying for them in His name asking God for miracles. Muslims fear death (the brainwashed few who commit suicide are fed lies by the crafty). The only answer to death is Jesus who conquered it.

The only answer to death is Jesus who conquered it.

Pray for more open doors for me in the Islamic world. Pray for those in the Muslim world who know Jesus and are His witnesses. The Arabs were the last to be mentioned in the list of peoples and nations in Acts 2. Could they be the last great harvest field God will ripen in these explosive days? Will the love and power of Jesus sweep the Muslim world? I believe it will. And I want to be a part of it!

Frank Eiklor