We might not be looking for them, but they cross our paths every day. They are university students, researchers in laboratories, and neighbors. They work in convenience stores and wait on tables. You might have noticed some because of the way they dress—a veiled woman or a man in a white robe and cap. Others you might not be able to recognize. They are part of the five million Muslims living in America—living with us.

When we took our church youth group skiing, I noticed two men praying next to their car. They were Pakistanis from Philadelphia. A ski resort in the Poconos was the last place I expected to meet Muslims.

Most Muslims in America are from countries that do not allow missionaries. But God, in His providence, has brought them here so that He can bring Muslims to Himself through us. Imagine if your mundane errands became missionary journeys. You can have a worldwide ministry for Christ in the routine travel of your neighborhood.

Getting Started

Pray that the barriers for Muslims coming to Christ would be removed. While you are praying, you might find that the first barriers to be crossed are in you. Fear is often one of these barriers. It is easy to believe that all Muslims hate Christians, but this is not true. In the years I’ve spent with Muslims, I have found them to be faithful, honest, and hospitable friends.

Hospitality is an important cultural value for Muslims and is commanded in their religion. More often than not, we offend Muslims because we do not show them the common courtesies they expect people to show others. Some of these courtesies are greeting others, taking time to talk, and inviting people to your home to share a meal. If Muslims come to your door, you should invite them in and always offer them something to drink. This should be done by men with men and by women with women.

You might also be afraid that you will not know how to answer the questions Muslims ask. You might be thinking, “Will I make them angry?” “Will I offend them?” “What do I say to a Muslim if I do not know a thing about Islam?”

When I was working as a missionary among Muslims in France, I discovered that the Muslims who had converted to Christianity were not led to Christ by trained missionaries. Rather, they were led by ordinary Christians who had no specific training in reaching Muslims. As I observed these untrained Christians, I noticed they were doing things that we trained professionals knew missionaries should avoid if they wanted to win Muslims to Christ. Yet, they were winning Muslims to Christ and we were not.

These untrained Christians took a deep spiritual interest in the people around them. It just happened that some of these people were Muslims. Over time this interest produced a hunger in their Muslim friends to know more about Christ.

Everyday Evangelists

Kadja was working the night shift in a Paris hospital with Joseph, an African Christian. She was going through a difficult time and was always sad. Whenever Joseph saw her, he would say, “Smile, Kadja, Jesus loves you.” Joseph said this so often that when he began, “Smile, Kadja,” Kadja would finish with, “I know, Joseph, but Jesus is for you and Mohammad is for me.” Over time, Joseph’s infectious Christian spirit was instrumental in bringing Kadja to Christ.

Salia became friends with a French couple who lived in the apartment above hers. What was different about this couple was that they approached Salia. She had never had a French person show interest in her. The couple invited Salia to share dinner with them, and they listened as Salia shared the difficulties she was going through. After Salia had shared a particularly difficult problem one night, the couple asked Salia if they could pray for her. Salia agreed, so the husband prayed that God would bless her. Salia began crying because of the way the husband spoke to God and because she did not believe God would care enough about her to bless her. Salia began to attend church with the couple and later gave her life to Christ.

The Christians in these stories provided more than friendship; they were spiritual counselors. They did not get into theological discussions or spend time criticizing Islam. They listened to people and showed real concern. When it was appropriate, they spoke words of encouragement or prayed for others. By doing so, they were demonstrating the power of the gospel.

Most Muslims are nominally Muslim. Their religion is important to them because it is part of the culture they love. They defend Islam when attacked because they are culturally committed to Islam, not because they are theologically committed to Islam.

Barriers and Bridges

We have more in common with Muslims than we think. Most Muslims have many of the hopes that we do—such as for health and a good life for our children. This gives us plenty of things to talk about. Talk about religion. For Muslims, religion is as much a part of life as the weather, and they discuss it all the time.

When you speak to a Muslim, avoid beginning with an attack. If they ask you what you believe about Islam, you might tell them you do not know much (if that’s so) and ask them what they think of their religion and how it helps them.

A great way to understand Islam is to listen to Muslims talk about their religion. Listen to how they describe it. Ask personal questions: Does your religion give you peace? Does it help you know God? How can you know that you are forgiven? Do your prayers draw you closer to God? Does Islam give you power to overcome sin in your life?

Another barrier that keeps Muslims from coming to Christ is our indifference to them; or, for that matter, our indifference to everyone but ourselves. We are very busy people with many responsibilities— even commitments we have made to our church! But if we look at the people we walk by, we could see the deep hurt in their eyes. If we listened we would hear the loneliness in their voice, and if we were spiritually astute we would be able to hear the cries of their heart.

How can we overcome these barriers? By stopping and saying, “Hi, How are you? My name is _____. What’s your name?” Paul says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).

Another barrier is our unbelief. Christians don’t believe Muslims convert—that they never have and they never will. Although this has largely been the case with Muslims in the past, it is not true anymore. Thousands of Muslims have turned to Christ. They are just the first fruits of a larger harvest. Prayer and outreach to the Muslim world are having an effect. Many Muslims have come to faith in Christ because they have had a dream or vision about Christ that has sent them on a search to find out who He is.

Farida said that Jesus appeared to her in a dream and wiped the tears from her eyes. Others have prayed to Jesus and have had miraculous answers to their prayers. God delivered Malec from a very difficult situation.

When Muslims have dreams or answers to prayers, they go looking for Christians to explain what happened. Wouldn’t you like to be the person they seek out? You will if they know you are a spiritual counselor, that you know Jesus, and that you are interested in them.

There are other barriers that keeps Muslims from considering Christianity. One is that they believe Christians are immoral. They come to this conclusion because of American culture. Muslims believe that America is a Christian country. When they see what we allow in our media, they conclude that Christians are immoral.

We can help our Muslims friends by letting them know that we are upset by these things just as they are. We can help them understand the difference between Western culture and Christianity.

Another barrier for Muslims is what they see as America’s and Christians’ uncritical support for Israel. Can we help our Muslim friends by listening to their concerns?

A final barrier is theological. Muslims, even the nominal ones, still know why they are not Christians. Most will be able to articulate the areas of disagreement they have with Christianity. They argue against the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. They believe the crucifixion of Christ did not happen, and that the Bible is not reliable because it has been changed. They believe people must pay for their own sins.

Assure your friend that Christians have answers to each of these questions. Ask them if they would like to join you in a Bible study or attend church with you. Tell them these are important questions that should be answered seriously. If they are interested, tell them you will take the time necessary to prepare the answers.

In my research on 50 Muslims and why they converted to Christianity, not one person said, “It was because Christians answered the objections I had.” Most were impacted by Christians’ worship and lifestyle. Invite Muslims to Bible studies, worship services, and retreats. Let them experience what being a Christian is, and pray that God will call them to Himself.

John Leonard is professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He worked as a missionary to Muslims in France for Arab World Ministries and for Mission to the World (PCA).