The recent events in the Crimea have brought attention to the 300,000 Muslim Tatars who live in that area. Many people have asked me recently about Islam in Ukraine so I though this would be a good opportunity to share with you some of the facts and give you some tools to help you share the gospel with your Muslim friends.
Islam in Ukraine
The Crimean Tatars have been in the Crimea since about the 1400’s. During Soviet times many of them were displaced by the government and it was only in 1991 that they were allowed to come back to their homeland. The reason the Tatars do not want Russian to annex is Crimea is because they are worried that history will repeat it’s self.
Statistics
Muslims make up nearly a quarter of the earth’s population and Islam is considered the 2nd largest religion in the world and the fastest growing religion. Here’s how the statistics look between the US, Ukraine and Russia.
- US -2.5 million or .8% of the population.
- Chances are that if you live in medium to large city you have plenty of opportunities to meet Muslims.
- Ukraine -500,000 or 1.1% of the population.
- Most of them live in Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
- Russia, 9.4 million or 6.5% of the population.
- Islam is the 2nd most popular religion in Russia.
How to Reach Muslims with the Gospel
Last month I attended a seminar called “Heart, Mind and Soul -Muslims”. The seminar helped me overcome my fear of Muslims and equipped me to share the Gospel with them. The information below was taken from the seminar.
-Heart
In order to effectively reach Muslims we must have a proper heart attitude toward them which means that we must love them! By simply building relationships and loving Muslims around us we can earn the right to be heard. We need to understand that most Muslims place a high value on two things.
- Community or Ummah
- Honor and its opposite shame
Community is all about relationships and honor is about how the community views those relationships, thus relationships drive Islamic values, it is even higher than truth. Americans tend to value independence, rights, privacy. If we don’t understand the significance of community and honor to a Muslim it is doubtful that we will be able to build a relationship with him. If we cannot build a relationship with a Muslim we will not have our best opportunity to demonstrate love and share the gospel with him.
-Mind
It’s also important that we understand what Islam is and how Muslims think. A Muslim is one who surrenders or submits to God or a follower of Islam. They are not about having a personal relationship with God, they are about obeying God.
15% Atheist/agnostic/ancestry only 35% Believe in name only -do not practice regularly 35% Believe and practice regularly 15% Fundamentalist (only a very small percentage are terrorist)
The 5 authorities of Islam What do Muslims hold as authoritative?
-
- Qur’ran: Muslims believe this was God’s final revelation
- Taurat/Zabur/Injil: Torah/Psalm/Gospels (Bible)
- Sunnah: The customs and practice of Muhammad
- Sira Rasul Allah: traditional biographies of Muhammad
- Hadith: collections of sayings, acts, approvals of Muhammad
Although they say they believe much of the Bible they may also say that the Bible is corrupted. If they say it’s corrupted you can just tell them, “Let me know when you find a place that is corrupt” and then move on. Important truths:
1. It’s OK that you don’t know it all. Start to engage Muslims in order to build relationships. 2. Be inquisitive and listen; these add to your credibility and are keys to building deeper relationships. 3. Similarities between Islam and Christianity are door-openers to spiritual conversations. 4. Sharing truth is a process; proceeding step by step is more important than downloading all you know in one sitting.
-Soul
Connecting with Muslims at a soul level means building redemptive relationships with them, loving them and praying for them.
- Establishing redemptive relationships provides the best context for opportunities to communicate love and truth.
- Involvement of the Word of God is critical. Let the Word of God speak for itself! (Hebrews 4:12).
- Respect for Muslims personally and their religion is vital.
- Listen, be humble, gentle and have a quiet confidence.
- Spend time with them, lots of it! This shows them that your relationship is important.
- Meet their needs with acts of kindness.
- Hospitality communicates powerfully.
- Get them into the Word of God: chronological studies recommended.
Resources
Below is a list of great resources that can help you effectively reach Muslims with the Gospel. I’ve also made a list with all these resources in one place on Amazon -All the Prophets have Spoke – John Cross –A Wind in the House of Islam – David Garrison -Understanding Islam and Christianity – Josh McDowell -What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Koran – James R. White -Is the Injeel Corrupted – Fouad Masri? -The Gospel for Muslims – Thabiti Anyabwile -Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus – Nabeel Qureshi and Lee Strobel -Breaking the Islam Code – J.D. Greear -Message of Hope –Bridges – Crescent Project DVD series
Follow up ideas
- Pray that the Lord brings Muslims into your life.
- Eat at a Middle Eastern restaurant – and talk to the owners/staff and give a good tip.
- Attend local ethnic festivals.
- Visit a mosque. (…learn and build relationships).
- Start and ESL program.
- University students: (holidays, dinner).
- Guide someone through the “Message of Hope”.
- Love them.
floyd
March 9, 2014I’ve actually dealt with some in business and it worked out well, sad to say even better than most of my dealings with people who speak up loud and often of their “Christianity”. We’re all the same in that we all have the desire to be cared for, loved, and respected by others. Excellent reminder and information, Caleb.
Caleb
March 10, 2014That’s amazing Floyd. I think sometimes we just assume that they won’t want to listen.
Thomas Mason
March 10, 2014Nicely done informative article (more than I’ve been exposed to). The one that struck me in your list of ideas is to pray that God brings Muslims into our life. To be frank, that one would scare me to death because of perceived prejudices and misunderstanding.
Caleb
March 11, 2014Thomas, I think that prayers of faith are often things that otherwise we would be scared to do. Thanks for the comment.
TCAvey
March 12, 2014Thank you for sharing this. I can’t wait to go back and read more of this and watch the video.
Caleb
March 12, 2014Thanks TC!
DS
March 13, 2014Very good job Caleb of being proactive, creative, and honest. Great list of resources to help people become better informed/equipped.
Caleb
March 13, 2014It seems to me that we often want to do something but rarely do anything so hopefully this will give a few people some concrete ways that they can actually reach out to Muslims.
Maureen Ray
June 1, 2014Mark and I did work with two Muslims – one from Morocco and one from Bangladesh. Harun I, shared together many times in his little office. I explained by way of diagram the Triunity of God and I am sure he understood, but he said “Do you know what would happen to me if I became a Christian!” I knew of course! He was near to retirement. We prayed together and I sat there with my hands upturned on his desk as I called on Jesus to heal his wife who was sick. It was deeply moving. I never did witness to Nouraddine – he actually employed me and the circumstances were a wonderful God incidence. I kept the advertisement in my sideboard for six weeks simply because I thought they were paying too much. Then one day I picked the ad up and knew I had to ring. Nouraddine said he would keep job open for me and so I picked up my typewriter and made for his office. I typed up my application there. I got the job out of 14 applicants. The office was saturated with demonic influences Aboriginals believe in Pantheism but the exciting thing was I was able to reach every Regional office in Australia with the message and so I had some really funny things happen. Mark, and a woman lawyer received the message and an Indigenous woman of a RC background were saved. I was there for 11 months. BUT I have had some rather hair raising attempts witnessing to Muslims on my own in Canberra city because they get the wrong impression. I had a fantastic witness to a Muslim who own the Persian Carpet shop in the local Hyperdome. I used Jonah and the great fish and he knew the story was truly God-given for both of us for he knew it very well and when I explained the typology of the burial and resurrection he became very excited and it truly blew him away. The most difficult times I have had have been with Roman Catholics and also with Mormons. Mark came home just at the right time when I was witnessing to Mormons and they became very aggressive to the point where they had become dangerous. Still I have had some truly exciting times. One woman ran out of the Hyperdome on evening and grabbed a tract from me and said: “I need that right now!”. And in my heart I have known that God would bring her into His kingdom that very night. When I think of these very special times I am sorry I just forget about your troubles. Yes, we do pray for you and yours. We keep pace with all that is going on and things do not look too good. The activity of demons is on the increase as people become more agitated and aggressive. All we can do is to just keep on praying on the prayer points you have mentioned.
Caleb
June 13, 2014Wow, you’ve had some amazing experiences! Thanks for sharing!
Maureen Ray
June 14, 2014Just writing to let you and yours know that Mark and I have been praying for you. We are very concerned about your intentions to return. Things are not looking good there and the extent of the violence saddens us. All we can do is to pray for everyone. May the Lord keep you both safe always and bless you.
Maureen Ray
June 14, 2014Oh and thanks for the book referrals. I can download onto the Kindle on my computer.