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Winnipeg, Man.
Missionaries use a variety of technologies to reach Arabic-speaking people


MBMS International missionaries Samir and Lewiza Youssef use a variety of media to reach Arabic-speaking people in parts of the world where traditional missionaries are not welcome.

Lewiza and Samir Youssef

Thanks to modern technologies such as the Internet, television and radio, an increasing number of Arabic-speaking people are receiving the message of Christ’s love.

The Youssefs produce a half-hour Arabic television program that is broadcast twice a week and a 15-minute Arabic radio program that broadcasts to the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and North America.

The Youssefs were born in Egypt, where Samir served as an evangelist and pastor. They moved to Canada in 1991 and began International Arabic Ministries (IAM) in 1992 as a way to reach Arabic-speaking people.

IAM’s Web site provides users with an opportunity to listen to Bible passages, gospel music and learn about Jesus. Through the site, people can order the Jesus film, a Bible, IAM’s Good News magazine and a CD that tells the story of Jesus. They can also request prayer, ask questions or participate in a basic course about Christianity.

During 2001, the Youssefs sent 1400 individual pieces of literature out in response to their broadcasts and web site, an increase from the 1000 the year before. In addition, 600 Bibles have been sent out during the past year, 50% more than the 400 sent out the year before. IAM receives approximately 500 e-mail messages each month. These requests are followed up with prayer, e-mail responses, chat room contacts – making what Samir calls a “virtual church” for those who live in regions where no church is present. Samir reports that many testimonies have been received. Wherever possible, people are referred to church contacts around the world.

Samir shares about the difficulty of sharing the Christian message with Arabic-speaking people. “Once, when I was in Jordan, I asked a 65-year-old man how to best reach Arabic-speaking people. He replied, ‘The Arabic-speaking world is not like Russia where one day the wall breaks down. You have to find cracks in the wall and send water into the cracks until one day a flood happens on the other side.’ Every day I search for cracks,” Samir says.

Samir and Lewiza admit that finding those cracks isn’t easy.

“When I share about our ministry, I get the feeling people want to hear that thousands of Arabic-speaking people are becoming Christians. I can’t say that,” Samir explains. “Our job as missionaries is to give the good news to people around the world. God’s job is to change people. Praise God we do see fruit. Sometimes it takes 10 years.”

Mennonite Brethren connections

According to Samir, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and the resulting higher profile of Arabic-speaking people has given North American Christians a renewed interest in their Arabic-speaking neighbours. The Youssefs travel to Mennonite Brethren churches across Canada and the US, teaching people how to understand and be a witness to their Arabic-speaking neighbours.

“September 11 has been a wake-up call for Christians to share their faith with their neighbours,” Samir says. “Christians are realizing that there is a mission field around us. Even though the terrorist attacks have had many negative effects in our world, it has given International Arabic Ministries new opportunities to share the gospel. There are 10 times more requests coming to our office than before that fateful date.”

Since 1995, the Youssefs have directed seven Youth Mission International teams to different areas in the Middle East, Europe and North America. These short-term mission trips take seven to 10 university students who want to share their faith through a cross-cultural experience. This year one team will go to Detroit and another to London, England.

Since 1998, IAM has been a partnership between MBMS International and Family Life Network, a media-based mission agency supported by the Manitoba MB Conference. FLN facilities and staff in Winnipeg are used to record and edit the TV and radio programs. FLN recently provided a grant to hire cameraman Grant Hoeppner who travels with Samir to interview people for the TV program. FLN has also hired Ali Emmanuel El-shariff Abdallah to help with follow-up ministries. IAM has grown to include volunteer Elvin Klassen, who helps with follow-up and editing print materials.

 – Lisa Alvey, MBMS International

Keys to sharing the gospel with Arabic-speaking people

Use the Word of God: Arabic-speaking people respect the sacred books: the Law of Moses, Psalms, the Gospels, and the Qur’an. Let the Word of God speak for itself. The Gospels, particularly Matthew and Mark, are the best portions to begin with. Be constantly in prayer: It is the Holy Spirit who wins people to Christ. Seek God’s guidance and power as you present the Word. You must have a God-given concern. Be a genuine friend: Saying “Hello” isn’t enough. If you really care, show it by inviting your neighbours to your home, sharing your time and meals, and helping in a practical way with their problems. Always relate to them as people and not merely as prospects for conversion. Ask thought-provoking questions: Asking questions that show you have a genuine interest in the important things of life can be the most effective. These may be: “Do you expect to go to heaven?” “Do you have the assurance that God will accept you?” “May I show you what the Bible teaches about forgiveness?” Listen attentively: When you ask a question, courtesy requires that you listen to the answer no matter how long it takes. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn. Be natural: ask about your neighbour’s family, country of origin, occupation, interests, etc. Present your beliefs openly: State what you believe, clearly and without apology, showing Scripture passages that support those teachings. By doing that, you place the responsibility for doctrine where it belongs – on the Word of God. Don’t be in a hurry to invite your neighbours to your church’s worship service. Begin by inviting them to some special interest program. Reason, don’t argue: Arguments may win a point but lose a hearing. There are some points on which you can argue forever without achieving a thing, except closing a mind against you. When you talk about religion, listen! If you neighbour asks about your faith, answer simply and clearly, but don’t be aggressive. Never denigrate Mohammed or the Qur’an: This is as offensive to Arabic-speaking people as speaking disrespectfully about Christ or the Bible is to us. Have some knowledge of the person’s faith and customs. Respect their customs and sensitivities: Don’t offend by putting your Bible on the floor, appearing too free with the opposite sex, refusing hospitality, or making jokes about sacred topics such as fasting, prayer or God. If you are invited into your neighbour’s home, leave a small gift of candy or cookies, unpretentiously. Persevere: Arabic-speaking people have a lot of rethinking to do when they are confronted with the gospel. Rest assured that the Word of God will do its work; problems will arise but face them honestly as they come. Learn more about your neighbour’s beliefs, and many pitfalls will be avoided. Try to answer all of your neighbour’s questions openly and sincerely, but avoid getting into a contest between religious beliefs.  – MBMS International

 

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Last modified April 30, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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