ISTANBUL — When 22 Christian refugees gathered in the basement of an apartment in Istanbul early on a recent Sunday afternoon, it was quickly clear that this was no ordinary prayer meeting. Several of them had Islamic names…. Strangest of all, they jokingly referred to their host — one of the two Mohammads — as an irhabi. A terrorist.
Today, Mr. Mohammad, 25, has a cross on his wall and invites other recent converts to weekly Bible readings in his purple-walled living room. Less than four years ago, however, he says he fought on the front lines of the Syrian civil war for the Nusra Front, an offshoot of Al Qaeda. He is, he says, a jihadi who turned to Jesus.
It is a transition that has surprised everyone, not least of all himself. Four years ago, Mr. Mohammad tells me, “Frankly I would have slaughtered anyone who suggested it.” Not only have his beliefs changed, but his temperament has too…
The conversion of Muslim refugees to Christianity is not a new phenomenon…
New York Times, 24 Mar 2017
Jesus has been calling and changing his enemies for centuries. Jesus uses everything from dreams, tough times, and even Christians to save people.
27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10)
We are not called to be powerful, just available. Our job is simply to make Jesus’ voice heard where he puts us. Lets make and grow disciples of Christ in 2018.
Denis Oliver