Friends of Faith
Walk alongside followers of Jesus from a Muslim background.
More Muslims have become followers of Jesus in the past 25 years than in the entire history of Muslim missions. Pew Research Center estimates that about 6% of American adults raised as Muslims now identify as “Believers from Muslim Background” (BMBs), about 267,000, and this number is increasing exponentially. A larger portion, 13%, identifies as religiously unaffiliated.
God is actively working among Muslims, and many experience dreams and visions of Jesus, who guides them to mentors to help them understand and follow Him in truth. Our vision is that pastors and those called to engage with BMBs will recognize the Institute as a primary resource for fulfilling their Spirit-led callings and engage BMBs God has providentially brought into their spheres of influence.
As a potential friend and mentor to a BMB, CSLI recommends specific reading for you to familiarize yourself with Islam and the challenges a new BMB faces. We encourage you to use the following steps to support your understanding and equip you to mentor followers of Jesus from a Muslim backgrounds.
Steps to Take
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- Read “A Thumbnail Sketch of Islam for Christians.”
- Consider doing the Come Follow Me course with your BMB friend, which is available in over 30 languages and takes believers through first steps in faith into transformation learning. It comes complete with discussion guidelines and cultural clues for the advisor, and a workbook for the students to complete each week before a discussion time in a group or 1:1.
- Take your mentee through “Heart & Mind Discipleship” while using the Discipleship of Heart & Mind book for yourself to prepare you for the sessions.
- When you feel they are ready, invite your mentee to participate in the CSLI Fellows Program.
Resources to Help Equip You as a Mentor
A Thumbnail Sketch of Islam for Christians
Explore the key tenants, history, and claims of Islam. Learn more about how to effectively build relationships with others from a Muslim background.
What should Christians think about Islam?
Learn more about the similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity. Discover how you can build bridges of understanding with Muslim neighbors, friends, and new followers of Jesus from Muslim backgrounds.
The Challenge of Islam
Learn about the key tensions and challenges posed by Islam. Discover how you can respond compassionately and engage winsomely with those from a Muslim background.
Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?
There are three major attributes of God that are absent from the Qur’an yet saturate the whole Bible. Learn more about God, Islam, and Christianity.
Jesus Among Islam
Discover how the Spirit is working within Islam to reconcile Muslim understanding of Jesus to Jesus of the Gospels understandings. Learn how to engage your Muslim neighbors, friends, and co-workers with Jesus.
What is the Gospel and why does it matter?
If you were asked on the street today what the Gospel was, how would you respond? Discover how the Gospel is the at the center of the Bible and of history.
Reaching Out to Muslims
Are you interested in sharing your faith with Muslim friends? Dr. Andy Bannister holds a PhD. in Islamic Studies and has vast experience helping others to know and follow Jesus.
Joining the Family
Read the book or explore this six-session video and discussion course. It is designed to help Christian mentors welcome, support, and learn from believers from Muslim backgrounds.
Friendship First
This short course course helps Christians gain confidence and skills to make friends with Muslim people and to begin sharing Christ with them.
Liberty to the Captives
This book is designed to help Christians understand Islam and the difficulties of choosing to become a follower of Jesus from a Muslim background. Liberty to the Captives is written by Dr. Mark Durie who has worked closely with many BMBs over the years.
The BMB resource database available through Paths of Life and Hikma Partnership will help you find relevant resources for BMBs in many languages.
Recommended Reading
Dr. Jim Phillips Senior Fellow for Cross-Cultural Discipleship. Jim, a PhD in Islamic Studies, recently published The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus which demonstrates the work of the Spirit within Islam to restore Jesus to His rightful place. CSLI has asked Jim to engage BMBs and their mentors using the Institute’s discipleship resources and partner with BMB-focused organizations to utilize their research on BMB needs and discipleship training tools, which would be prerequisites for CSLI discipleship programs like the Fellows Program and Heart & Mind Discipleship.
Partners
