Outreach to Muslims: What have we learned? And, Where do we go from here?

Abstract

This is a report presented to the WELS Outreach To Muslims committee.

This report lays out the strategy to evangelize to Muslims within our communities. The first of three steps looks back upon all the knowledge accumulated about the subject matter. Throughout his ministry, Jesus has commanded his disciples to go out and witness to all that he has done; this commission was, likewise, given to us. However, many congregations struggle with building an outreach mindset. Fear of persecution often debilitates such effort; one must acknowledge its presence in outreach. This is made much harder by the cultural barriers between the tight-knit Muslim community and ours. Thus, the next step is to seek out scriptural guidelines for evangelism. Jesus has loved the world and saved everyone. As Jesus has brought us to faith and made us priests, we work together as a congregation to bring this saving message out to our neighbors. Afterward, the congregation needs to create tangible goals with which the Muslim Outreach Coordinator can guide the congregation toward a self-sufficient model. Within a few visits, he would assess the current situation of the congregation and community, train the church’s members, and ensure that the congregation follows the established strategy. Whatever the method, the goal is to bring Muslims into God’s Word as soon as possible before they seek refuge in a tight-knit Muslim community that would render such efforts ineffective. Muslim outreach is a commitment that will take many years, energy, and manpower to deliver the saving Gospel message against all the efforts of the Devil.