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Introduction
Riddle: a story of cutting…
WEST AFRICA REGION
West Africa represents a major battleground between Islam and the Kingdom of God. It represents the "faultline" between Muslim North Africa and the Christian Southern Africa. Much of the tension in West Africa from Sierra Leone to Cote d'Ivoire, to Nigeria is a direct result of Islamic pressure to take by force countries with historic Christian majorities.
Introduction
Professor D.T. NIANE of Senegal, a specialistin the Mande world, and former Director of theL.S. Senghor Foundation in Dakar said: “After10 centuries, Islam should be given citizenshipin Africa.”
Muslims’ Agenda
l Muslim organizations should set up centres to resist Christian missionary activities.
l Islamic radio and TV stations should be established.l All Christian activities, no matter what the secular expression, should be stopped.
The World Islamic Organization adopted a program at Its conference in 1974 in Mecca. This program says:
Muslims’ Agenda
l Christian hospitals, orphanages, schools and universities should be taken over.
l Muslim organizations should set up Intelligence Centres about Christian activities.
l All Christian literature should be banned in Muslim countries.
Muslims’ Agenda
In November 1989, the Islam in AfricaOrganization held the Islam in AfricaConference in Abuja. The Resolution issuedat the end of the conference declared theirdetermination, among other things:
Muslims’ Agenda
l to support the establishment and application of the Shari’a …
l to ensure the appointment of only Muslims into strategic national and international posts of member nations.
l to eradicate in all its forms and ramifications all non-Muslim religions in member nations (such religions shall include Christianity …)
l to ensure that only Muslims are elected to political posts of all member nations.
Muslims’ Agenda
l to ensure the ultimate replacement of all Western forms of legal and judicial systems with the Shari’a in all member nations …
l to write the history of Islam in Africa and of Muslims and their institutions from authentic Islamic viewpoint …
l to propagate the knowledge of Islam throughout the continent …
Muslims’ Agenda
l to call on Muslims to review the syllabi in the various educational institutions with a view to bringing them into conformity with Islamic ideals, goals and principles and to serve the needs of their community …
l to encourage the teaching of the Arabic language, which is the language of the Qur’an as well as the lingua-franca of the continent and to strive for the restoration of the use of Arabic …
l to establish strong economic ties between African Islamic countries and other parts of the Muslim world in order to facilitate mutual assistance and co-operation … based on Islamic principles.”
REASONS WHY ISLAM IS SO ROOTED IN AFRICA
1. The adaptation of Islam to the African context 2. Islam, an oral religion 3. Propagation by Africans 4. Islam, a religion of transcendent power 5. Islam, a religion of social prestige 6. Community nature of Islam
CHALLENGES
l Missionary religion l Militant religionl Persecution and discriminationl Inducementsl Doctrinal and intellectual challengesl Seduction of supernatural power
RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH
l Three (3) bad attitudes in the Church to be discouraged
l One (1) good attitude to be encouraged
RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH
Bad attitude 1: Cooperation "Similarities" between Islam and Christianity tothe detriment of the recognition of the deepdifferences that exist between these two.Here,one says: "After all, Muslims believe in sameGod as us…"
RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH
Bad attitude 2: Crusade
Focus on differences and react against the Islamicexpansion by taking a firm position. Here, one says:"We must fight them" or "We must build a fortress to counters them”.
They seek to overcome them by higher arguments. They offend Muslims by attacking the
Koran, Muhammad (their prophet), etc. that createshatred and problems between Christians and Muslims.
RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH
Bad attitude 3: Negligence and Indifference
Here, one says: "the Muslims are difficult toreach;; let them follow their way and us, let usfollow ours ". Ignorance and Fear: Muslims are violentpeople;; ready to make problems. Muslims are humanbeings like us, with their problems, their fears, theirconcern, etc. Christ died for them too. Without Christ,they are lost.
RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH
Good attitude: Sincere compassionThis attitude is the one that the Church has to have.One can or may hate the Islam as a religious system,but WE must love Muslims.
The Bible says:"… sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and beready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear "(1 pi.3.15)
An Approach God is using among MuslimsDMM – An Approach God is using among Muslims
The DMM approach is helping make a breakthrough among Muslims
in Africa, where it is implemented:l Malinkel Susul Fulanil Hausal Kanuril Etc.
Disciple Making Movement –among Muslims
l DMM addresses the issue of closed doors l DMM addresses the community nature of the Islamic culture
l DMM addresses the need to see supernatural power at work
l DMM addresses the cultural issues
There are elements in DMM that will helpaddress the resistance of Muslims to the Gospel.
FIVE KEYS ELEMENTS OF FOCUS FOR US
FIVE KEYS ELEMENTS OF FOCUS FOR US
1. Train local, national and regional leaders who will continually train other leaders.
2. Focus on the pioneer areas3. Focus on multiple generations leading to “movements”
4. Bring Transformation5. Form Partnerships to expand capacity and scope
Specific Strategies Embodied in DMM
1. Pray, Pray, Pray2. Train, Train, Train3. Support (for a season) those who go
4. Penetrate new areas5. Empower the process6. Coach/Mentor the grass-roots church planters
Community Engagement
Discovery Group starts other
group(s)
Disciple Person/Family of Peace using
DBS
Group becomes Church
Find a Person of PeaceChurch starts
other ChurchesDiscipleMaking
Movements
Disciple Maker/Church
Planter
Person of Peace begins
Discovery Group
Church planter may go to new community
Prayer
Shared Leadership Emerges
Conclusion
The promise of God for the posterity of Ishmael will be fulfilled.
l Gen 25:13… the sons of Ishmael, …Nebajoth;; and Kedar, l Isa 42:11-12… the villages where Kedar dwells. Let the dwellers of the rock sing, let them shout from the mountain tops. Give glory to Jehovah and declare His praise in the coastlands.
l Isa 60:7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you;; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you. They shall come up on My altar pleasing Me, and I will glorify the house of My glory.
Ishmael’s spiritual posterity will glorify God. Heis expecting the Church to make that happen.
