The Christian Revival in the Muslim World

Through the centuries Christians have shared their faith with Muslims-the same as they have with any group of people. Often it is been with little result. Although there may still be countless Muslims who are not interested in Christ, things are changing. Various sources report that although there may be many Muslims not interested in the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is a Christian revival, as Arabs, young and old alike, educated and those who are not educated are turning to Christ. Those who do often pay a heavy price for their new faith.

"I see many Arabic-speaking people turning to Christ, accepting Him as Lord and Savior," Nizar Shaheen, host of Light for the Nations, a Christian program seen throughout the Muslim world, said as reported on the website, www.cbn.com. "It's happening all over the Arab world. It's happening in North Africa. It's happening in the Middle East....in the Gulf countries....Canada and the United States."

Other experts say that that current Christian revival among Muslims is unprecedented, among all age groups, educational backgrounds, and among male and females.

One such convert is Achmad Muhammed, a Wahhabi sheik, who came from one of the most violent forms of Islam, a man who hated Christians and the Christian church. He now says that since he committed his life to Jesus Christ, He forgave his sins and gave him eternal life and peace.

A part of the evangelical spark among Muslims involves atheistic China. Chinese house churches, in the country which greatly persecute Christians, plan to send 100,000 through many Muslim nations and back to Israel.

The evangelization of the Muslim world has also involved the work of evangelists, satellite television, and the Internet.

Christine Darg, author of The Jesus Visions: Signs and Wonders in the Muslim World, said God is revealing throughout the Arab world how that God let His Son die on the cross and be raised again from the dead to provide the forgiveness of sins for the whole world-including Muslims.

Muslims who do become Christians, however, can face persecution, discrimination, or even martyrdom.

Shaheen says he is not scared to talk about Christ, because he changed his life and loves all people.

The website, http://www.jesusoutreachmission.com, reports that one Muslim man, who was converted to Christ, as were his two brothers, was rejected by his family for his decision and now has no job.

Emir Caner, a former Muslim who now is a Christian and teaches at a Baptist seminary, told of 19 men and women from 18 countries who became Christians. He said the converts have lost their families, risked their lives, and are ostracized from their culture. He added that because Christ teaches Christians to love their enemies, they have also had to learn to love and forgive their persecutors. He also said that the converts not only risk their lives in becoming Christians, but in sharing their faith.

For those who become Christians who were once government officials, the price can be even higher. Some have had to watch their parents be beaten or killed, and some have been exiled. Caner was disowned by his father.

Many experts have said the only answer to radical Muslim terrorism is a bold proclamation of the gospel of Christ in love.

At one time, only two percent of Christian mission groups had anyone working among Muslims. By 2001 there were more than 27,000 Christian missionaries working among Muslims.