Muslim vows to help take Jesus to his neighbors

Normally when Paul pulls into the small Macedonian village of Radovish* he parks with a quick exit in mind, just in case violence erupts. He’s never been hurt before, but speaking about Jesus to Muslims in South Europe is a dangerous calling and Paul is aware of the risks involved. He is in these communities officially as an aid worker, so when he received a call from the Mayor of Radovish asking him to come and share about Jesus, Paul was excited that God had opened a door, hurried to meet him and parked in a tight, inaccessible spot.

Though the mayor summoned Paul and the meeting had gone well, Paul was frightened when he stepped into the street and saw a group of villagers surrounding his car. He realized then how poorly he had parked, knowing that escape would not come easily from a mob. However, there in the center of the village, in the shadow of the minaret, the Mayor surprised Paul by publicly pledging his support and loyalty to him.

“He said that I was a bringer of peace and hope to his people,” Paul said, “and because of that he would help if I needed it, call ahead and prepare the way into villages I wanted to visit, and even go with us to share Jesus.”

Paul marvels at how these men who are such strict Muslims that they won’t even swallow their own spit during the Ramadan fast are willing to go with him to tell fellow Muslims about Jesus.

Paul developed relationships in Radovish through a sheep project he developed to help Muslim people and open doors to share the Gospel. Twelve farmers in eight villages have received 100 sheep to help them start a livelihood. As the sheep reproduce, the project grows and the invested money is repaid. The project has given access to the hearts and minds of the local people. However, there are barriers.

“My progress is limited in this village and others like it because I don’t speak Turkish,” Paul said. “I can speak to them in Bulgarian, but it is not their heart language. I need a Turkish speaker to come and help me.”

Paul’s ministry focuses on several groups of Muslim people scattered throughout South Europe. Each group speaks the language of the country in which they reside, and many speak a dialect of Turkish as well. Paul’s work is based out of Bulgaria so that is the language he has learned.

In another village, a young man named Moosa* took his stand for Christ after coming to know the Lord through the sheep project. His wife has continually been ill since his conversion. In exasperation with traditional doctors who could find nothing wrong with her, she consented to go and see an Islamic witch doctor, which involves taking some kind of sacrifice. But Moosa would have none of it.

“We don’t need to sacrifice. We’re done with that. God gave us Jesus. He is our sacrifice,” he said.

This testimony was at risk to his life, but Moosa was courageous. He has now been baptized and wants to be an evangelist.

God is working among the Muslims of South Europe. Through Paul and other Southern Baptist workers who are laboring among them, many have come to faith in Jesus. The barriers erected by their culture and religion, are formidable and can only be leveled with persistence, prayer and partnership. Please pray for national workers who have the language ability to come alongside these men and women to work and pray for their salvation.

“God is at work,” Paul said. “We just have to join Him.”

*Names of people and places have been changed for security purposes.

Posted by Karen Pearce on Oct 13, 2008

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