Sahara Initiative

(Names have been withheld for security reasons)

Did you know that every day, five times a day, almost two billion Muslims will perform their ritual prayers? Did you know that there is only one independent Baptist missionary for every ten million Muslims? Sharing the Gospel among Muslims is not just necessary, it is URGENT.

The Lord has greatly burdened our hearts for the unreached areas of the world. There is an area between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude where most of the unreached people of the world reside. Some people refer to this as the 10/40 window. In many of the countries in this region, it is illegal to evangelize or to enter as missionaries.

Does that mean the church should only go where we can safely enter? NO! Christ commanded us to go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). If we fail to go to these areas with the Gospel, we are being disobedient to our Lord’s command.

While some refer to these nations as “closed,” I believe there is a better way to view these countries. In Luke 5, when the four brought their friend who was sick of the palsy to Jesus, they did not turn around and go home because they could not find by what way they might bring him in (Luke 5:19). Instead, they went upon the housetop, taking a creative approach to get their friend to the Savior. Jesus saw their endeavor as faith-filled. We too as God’s people should not be discouraged by the difficulties of getting into these countries but look for creative faith-filled ways to access these people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Should not we be doing more to get people to Jesus?

The Lord has blessed our family with the privilege of living in one of these creative access countries in Northern Africa. The challenges can seem endless at times. It can feel like tip-toeing across a minefield, trying to navigate the many and unusual difficulties of ministry in an Islamic land. But the Lord has given us much grace and help as we have sought to labor together with Him in this unusual ministry. In these lands, it is considered illegal to proselytize openly, including door knocking, passing out tracts, or conducting open air evangelism. Many have asked how we evangelize in such a place? We often walk a careful tightrope of boldness and discretion, seeking to have a spirit of faith and not fear.

So what can we do? There are two things that the Lord has taught us about sharing the Gospel in this dark land, and we pray He will use them to encourage you in your witness for Him.

The Power of Christ’s Working in Your Life
In John 4, the Samaritan woman was completely changed by her encounter with the Living Christ. She had been looking for the Messiah, and now He had found her! In verse 39, the Bible says, And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman. The Scripture is clear that there were many who came to Christ as a result of this woman’s testimony. There is still power in sharing our testimony!

In North Africa, sharing my testimony is one of the easiest ways I have found to share the Gospel. How can someone argue with what I know Jesus has done for me? For whatever reason, we sometimes do not like to share our testimony when we witness. But the Lord has encouraged our hearts from this passage that He can still use our testimony to lead the lost to Himself.

What should a person include in their testimony? In verse 29, the woman mentioned three things: she declared who Christ was, she declared what Christ had done for her, and she invited them to see Christ for themselves.

We must be careful to make sure our testimony can actually lead others to Jesus! We should clearly talk about Christ, His person, and the work that He did in our lives. Then invite people to Him! What good does it do if we do not invite people to take the next step?

The Power of Christ’s Word
After being encouraged by this passage in John 4, I continued to share my testimony with many of our Muslim friends and neighbors, testifying of what Christ had done for my sins. One time in particular, the Lord had answered specific prayer and worked in a special way in the life of our family. Excited, I wanted to share it with one of our contacts, M., and testify of the Lord’s goodness in our lives. Shortly after I recounted the story of the Lord’s working, I was stunned by his response. “Oh yes, I have had that happen many times too. God hears and answers my prayers all the time.” He then proceeded to share with me several times of God’s “workings” in his own life. Deflated, I cried to the Lord in my heart for wisdom, unsure of how to respond.

Shortly after this, the Lord led me again to John 4. Verses 41 and 42 state, And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves.

Although our personal testimony is very powerful and ought to be shared, there is something that is even more powerful—the Word of God! After my conversation with M., the Lord reminded me that I must be cautious not to share my experience above God’s Word. The Word of God still is sharper than any two edged sword and can pierce through any heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Whether the Lord wants you in North Africa or North America, the Lord wants to use you to make a difference in the lives of Muslims through your testimony and through His Word.

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