Reaching Muslims

According to Pew Research, there are about 1.6 billion Muslims, or 23% of the world’s population, making Islam the second-largest religion. To many of us, the word “Muslim” and “terrorist” are synonymous. But God has not forgotten 23% of the world’s population. The Holy Spirit is moving in amazing ways to bring Muslims to the saving knowledge of Jesus, and God is also moving among Christians to impel them through His love to reach out.

After taking the Encountering The World of Islam Class several years ago, I have read a number of significant books related to Islamic culture and God’s work among Islamic people.

Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? by Tom Doyle

Pastor Tom Doyle worked 11 years as a full-time missionary in the Middle East and Central Asia and now serves with e3 Partners. During his ministry, Doyle heard again and again a similar story from Muslim-background believers of how they  were first introduced to Jesus through a vision or dream that led them eventually to receive Christ as their Savior, regardless of the personal risk to their lives. This collection of stories will cause your heart to rejoice and lead you to pray for the continued pouring out of the Spirit of God over hearts of seekers in the Muslim world. Amazon…

In the Land of the Blue Burqas by Kate McCord

For five years, the author lived in Afghani villages sharing her life and listening to the stories of the men and women around her.  As part of a private humanitarian organization, she was there to teach village women job skills. But during this time, she allowed the Holy Spirit to lead her into compelling conversations, using everyday activities as object lessons to illustrate the gospel.  This book is both heartbreaking  and inspiring. I found it very encouraging to see how God was able to help her communicate truth, and so wonderful when the veil was sometimes drawn back and a truth shone into an Afgani woman’s heart. Amazon…

Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks

This is one of the first books I read about Islamic culture and the status of women. Geraldine Brooks is a secular journalist and a thoughtful observer. She lived for six years in the Middle East and was drawn to study and reach out to understand the lives of the women around her. Amazon…

Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Believe in Christ by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen

Through the eyes of a close colleague of Brother Andrew, we are given intimate portrayals of individuals that he has met and counseled with personally. Brother Andrew describes the challenges facing believers in Muslim dominated countries in the mideast that will help us in the Western Church better pray for brothers and sisters. Amazon…

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: a Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi

In this book, Nabeel Qureshi describes his childhood in a loving Muslim home and how he developed a passion for Islam. Like a modern day Paul, he was full of zeal for his faith. But a special friendship with a comitted Christian roomate in College begins to challenge and wear down everything Nabeel thought he knew about God. This is a very thoughtful detailed and step-by-step description of the lifting of the veil from the mind, bringing the final revelation of the need for Christ and His atoning sacrifice. This is a great book for a detailed breakdown of the tenents of Islam and also a great encouragement to those with Muslim friends to prayerfully persist in shining the light.  Amazon...

Dying out Loud: No Guilt in Life, no Fear in Death by Shawn Shmucker

The story of Stan, his wife, Ann, and their two children will is both sobering and elating. This is the story of a family who counted the cost and considered following Jesus of greater value than anything else. Their calling led them to the Middle East among remote areas and nomadic tribes. And eventually into the valley of the shadow of death where they continued to discover peace, grace, and a new hope for the lost around them. Amazon…

Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph amid the Horror of Tehran’s Brutal Evin Prison by Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh

If you would like to understand something about what the prisoners you are reading about in the headlines experience when they are jailed for their faith, then this is the book for you. These two Iranian women were both converts from the Muslim faith and could have left Iran. But instead, they received training and returned to Iran to evangelize, eventually being arrested for their work. This intimate and harrowing description of their time in prison will bring you to your knees in prayer for those who are in a similar situation. But the beauty of faith shines through the tender interactions they have with other women and the way God continually encouraged them. Amazon…

Which None Can Shut: Remarkable True Stories of God’s Miraculous Work in the Muslim World by Reema Goode

This is another story written by a missionary to a Muslim country. Written under a psuedonym to protect their ministry, you will read about how God gives Reema so much love for her Muslim neighbors, that doors of resistance and fear are opened again and again. Amazon…

We Died Before We Came Here: A True Story of Sacrifice and Hope by Emily Foreman

This is a story that is happening more often in today’s violent world, and a story that needs to be told, especially to those feeling the call to go. Stephen Foreman and his wife, Emily, left their comfortable American life to bring the gospel to the deserts of North Africa. Stephen paid the ultimate cost when he was shot and killed by al-Qaeda operatives. But his life and death encouraged local believers to pursue his own goal. A heart wrenching story beautifully told. Amazon……