Ordinary Christians called to impact Muslim lives
TORONTO, ON - Missions to the Muslim world have changed dramatically in the past 20 years, says 'Kevin,' area coordinator for OM (Operation Mobilization) in the Middle East and North Africa.
While security concerns keep him from sharing his full name, he is deeply enthusiastic for the growing opportunities for ordinary Canadians to impact the lives of Muslims.
Kevin visited Canada this fall for meetings with The Arabian Peninsula Network (APN). This global network brings together ministries from around the world who have an interest in God's work among the indigenous people of countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Qatar.
He explains inter-agency partnerships are leading to more effective regional field collaboration for the sake of the gospel.
"We're looking at questions like, 'What is God already doing? What tools are available? How can we work together to see the gospel go out? How can people in Canada be a part of that?'"
Over a dozen partners are involved, including Open Doors, WEC, International Teams, Frontiers, Pioneers, TEAM, MECO and Feba.
Kevin says growing political and economic uncertainty has led to more Muslims looking for spiritual answers.
"Something is happening," he says. "More Muslims are logging into Internet discussion sites, looking for Bibles and watching the Jesus video. And there are a lot of Christians working together from around the world to make sure people have the opportunity to hear the gospel."
Not only has the Internet allowed more Muslims to safely look into issues of faith, it has given ordinary Christians new opportunities to engage in prayer.
"Thanks to the Internet, Christians in Canada can now join hands with people in Australia and Korea and Singapore to pray for the immediate need of an underground Christian," Kevin says.
"This prayer is one of those strategic things we need more people to be a part of. It is vitally important. There are real changes we have seen in the lives of people in the Arabian Peninsula today that I can trace back to what happened when Christians began to pray for places they'd never heard of."
He adds one of the greatest assets in the spread of the gospel today are professionals who are willing to take work in the area, in their chosen field.
"The front line of missions is the market place," Kevin says. "There are a ton of good, well-paying jobs in the region and companies that are looking to hire qualified professionals. It's in that market where people can meet Muslims in a normal life situation, and have the opportunity to find out what matters to you, what gets you through the day, how you deal with your family and what gives you that peace, which is based in God."
This year OM is celebrating 50 years of ministry in the Muslim world. They currently have about 1,000 workers focusing on Muslims, in 50 countries around the world. They are looking for more professionals willing to make a career shift to a job in the Arabian Peninsula.
Fraser Churchill, director of development for OM, says, "If somebody has a question, it would be nice if there was someone who identified themselves as a Christian in their workplace or in their neighborhood, who they knew they could talk to. To be that person who says, 'I'm a believer, if you ever want to talk.'"
Kevin adds, "You don't necessarily need theological training to be qualified for mission. You need to be exactly the person God made you to be, and be that light in someone else's life."
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