yay! this week's been pretty fun :) so TCA auditions are over! sad. they were fun..we had 19 pple try out for worship!! so adam n i formed 4 bands..1 contemporary, 2 acoustic, one special music with a cello! it's really cool. i'm super excited for this year!!!!!
it's gonna be so awesome. can't wait!!! :) we're gonna meet them all on mon n tell them about our expectations n time commitment..finally..we're gettin started! we offered a 100bucks prize for whoever comes up with the best brochure for us! which makes me feel really bad. cuz we have to reject the rest! i'm too soft hearted like that. adam (my co-director) was like, we're paying them $100! we shouldn't feel bad! haha.
so my wing n our brother wing has been playin stick 'em..it's like catching. haha. only college level. like we get the name of someone else, and we're supposed to catch that person n get another name, and so on. but i didn't have time to really go stalk my target. besides, i didn't knw him. he looked like every other big, bald guy on campus. haha. and today this middle eastern band came to perform. was pretty cool music..sounded indian.
ooh and my Q & A article got published in The Echo, our sch newspaper..yay! it's all so incredibly exciting. i dunno how to attach it, so i'll just put it all here. haha.
it was an interview with Fouad Masri, this Lebanese pastor who founded the Crescent Project, which reaches out to Muslims. it was so cool to interview him!! had a tape recorder n all! like a real reporter!! ahahaha.
How was life growing up in Beirut, Lebanon?
I grew up during the Lebanese War. It was a struggle. We didn’t know which nights we were going to spend in the basements. They’d fight for two weeks, and stop. So you’d go to school, start your business, clean up the mess and three weeks later, they’d fight again.
What do you miss about Lebanon?
I miss the weather and its four seasons. I miss the Lebanese fun and fellowship and the beautiful countryside.
You studied in America and went back to Lebanon. Why did you come back in 1993 to start the Crescent Project?
Muslims in North America have the freedom to read the Bible, but I had Arab Christian friends who were not reaching out to their people. The idea was to focus on a practical and personal engagement, for one Christian to talk to one Muslim. Christians should take baby steps to pray, reach out to one Muslim and give a Bible to a friend.
What made you go from a bachelor's degree in communications to a master’s degree in Islamic studies?
I wanted to know how we were training our missionaries. Sadly, even after September 11, (2001) very few missionaries take training before they go overseas. That’s where the struggle has been. Their training is on Islam, not on culture, theology or witnessing.
Why are you so passionate about reaching out to Muslims?
Muslims want to know God, but they don’t have the information. I feel like somebody should tell them. The joys of seeing a Muslim love and follow Jesus makes me pleased that the Lord used me.
What do you think is the greatest difference and similarity between Christians and Muslims?
The most common similarity and difference is Jesus. Muslims say that he is a prophet, but they don’t consider his teachings or his life. It’s not hard to change their mindset, because many of them are spiritually hungry. That’s the beauty about Christian ministry. We take the gospel to them, show them the love of Christ and leave the results to God.
Any practical advice on how to reach out to Muslims?
Pray for the Muslim world. Get involved, trained and educated. Go on a mission trip to meet and engage with Muslims.
What is your greatest dream?
My dream is that one day, every Muslim will have his or her own personal Bible.
What do you have to say to those interested in going into ministry?
Make sure you have a burden for certain people groups or activities. Pray that God will give you a strategy.
Any last words?
Matthew 24:14: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in (the whole world) as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."
It’s a great verse to know Christ promised that people will hear about him.
yay :)
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