Introduction
Growing up in India, I was regularly involved in church ministry activities such as worship, Bible Studies, and prayer meetings. We, as a church, were passionate about sharing the gospel with the people around us. We would organize evangelism meetings, VBS for children of all backgrounds, activities for children in orphanages, fellowship gatherings with delicious meals open to everybody, and even collected food and blankets for the needy. All of these activities are incredible opportunities to undertake as a Christian community to share the love of Christ with the residents of the city. While many churches engage in similar activities, some have demonstrated exceptional dedication to assisting the community. I praise God for their service and ministry unto His glory. However, I have observed that churches do not seem to prioritize evangelizing Muslims. Initially, the need for this was not widely acknowledged. If the necessity of evangelizing Muslims were recognized within the Indian context, we would undoubtedly witness individuals stepping forward to initiate or participate in such efforts. Let us explore the reasons behind this.
Why Should Indian Churches Evangelize Muslims?
One primary reason for not reaching out to Muslims is the lack of knowledge about what they believe. Most Christians know little to nothing about Islam or what the Quran teaches. On the other hand, many Christians feel more comfortable with the Muslim faith than other religious groups due to shared history, narratives, values, and their reverence for Jesus. A large percentage of Christians believe that Muslims serve the same God as them; hence they do not recognize the need for evangelism. Some Christians are unaware that Muslims believe in Jesus as merely a prophet, but not as God; I was once one of them.
I grew up with Muslim friends and neighbors, yet I neglected to pray for their salvation and rejected the need to evangelize them. My personal experiences pushed me to act this way because my Muslim friends addressed Jesus with great reverence, and they did not hesitate to join me in testifying about Him. I was surprised to learn from one of my Muslim friends that he was interested in attending my church. When asked why he wanted to come to church, he simply stated, “Because we believe in Jesus, just like you, and He is OUR Jesus.” This response from a devout Muslim reinforced and validated my assumptions about them as truths. It was even more captivating for me to witness my Muslim friends perform Salah, ritual prayers, even in school. Their public expressions of faith and commitment were truly commendable and impressive. But I did not understand that their worship was not devoted to the Lord. That’s how I was deceived into withholding the gospel from my Muslim friends. I’m sure I’m not alone in this experience. Assumptions like these continue to blind some people even today. I pray that the Lord would enlighten their minds to see the abundant harvest that is still ready and waiting among Muslims.
The second reason for not reaching Muslims is because in India, the Muslim population is very small compared to Hindus. Hindus constitute approximately 80% of the population, while Muslims make up only 14%. Looking at these numbers, it’s easy for anyone to shift their focus to evangelizing Hindus. Although 14% looks like a small number, in reality that percentage represents nearly 200 million people, which is the third largest Muslim population in the world. Those 200 million people deserve to know about Jesus.
Other reasons include the lack of knowledge on effectively sharing the gospel and fear of applying it. It is important for Christians to be equipped with the means and medium to share the gospel with Muslims. Many Muslims are open to discussing spiritual things and the gospel, but there aren’t many Christians who would be willing to talk to them in this regard. Nabeel Qureshi, a Muslim who converted to Christianity, once said that he was always interested in discussing Christianity but no one really came to him for that purpose. This led him to the conclusion that Christians don’t have enough confidence to defend their faith.
Having established the need, the question we now ponder is: How can Indian churches step forward into this harvest? Let’s discuss how Indian churches can prepare and equip themselves to do this.
How Should Indian Churches Evangelize Muslims?
- Form a small group: Although the entire congregation may be encouraged to participate in this mission, it is not necessary to wait for the whole church to be motivated. Begin with small steps! Church leaders may invite people who have the burden to join the group. Even if the group is small, God can use their passion and ministry to motivate others in the church. Make a schedule to meet regularly in order to pray, read Scripture, share experiences, encourage, and fellowship with each other. It is so important to know why we are doing what we are doing. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Do not be discouraged if the number is small. The Word of God assures us of His presence even with just two or three people. Be consistent in doing this to fuel your passion.
- Pray regularly: In order to pursue this goal, we need boldness and strength from the Lord. Coming together as a body of believers in unity before the Lord enables us to be encouraged and ready. Ask God to open opportunities to meet and build friendships with Muslims. This act reminds us of our reliance on God rather than our own strength.
- Make Good Observations: It is crucial to observe your Muslim friends’ lifestyles, which include language, priorities, values and behavior. This step will help us to understand their beliefs and the depth of their devotion. Such observations also aid us in asking good questions. These experiences could be shared with one another in order to understand their core values.
- Be faithful friends: Despite the theological and religious differences, it is our duty to be faithful friends with Muslims. Love and faithfulness are the most effective avenues for building genuine relationships. Even in the midst of differences, be kind and gentle in your attitude. Ultimately, we are all human beings created in the image of God who deserve to be loved and respected. As James admonishes in James 1:19–20, we must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger rather than being aggressive and argumentative. We are called to love God and our neighbor.
- Consult resources: It is impossible to learn and know everything. So keep learning as you go forward. As you dialogue with your Muslim friends, learn from their responses. At the same time, make an effort to learn from the credible sources available on the internet. Information gathered can be used to discuss the topics. This helps the team to learn from each other.
- Be patient and trust the Lord’s timing: After investing much time in learning, praying, and preparing, do not be disappointed if things do not turn out the way you expected. Be patient, and trust in the Lord’s timing. Believe that the seed of the Word of God planted in people’s hearts will not return void. It will grow and bear fruit according to the Lord’s timing. We must continue this work faithfully.
Conclusion
All this might seem too much to accomplish, or it might even feel impossible. However, let us be reminded of a beautiful encouragement from William Carey: “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” At the end of the day, we are not called to be machines who convert large masses of Muslims to Christianity. Rather, the greatest honor is for us to participate in pursuing His ultimate plan to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. So why not begin it locally? In pursuing this commission, let us not forget the two greatest commands: Love the Lord and love our neighbor. May the Lord give us—especially the local churches in India—the boldness and zeal to faithfully attempt great things for God!