Riding the Camel

What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say the word Muslim? Now be honest, really honest. Many of us probably thought of the words radical, Muhammad, Middle East, anti-Jesus, mosque and yes, even terrorists. But the truth is that Muslim's are not much different than you and I and more Muslims are coming to faith in Christ today than at any other time in history.

But again if we are real honest, as Christians many of us find it extremely difficult to even think about talking to a Muslim about Jesus. Much of our hesitancy stems from fear and a lack of understanding of what Muslims belive. Most of us have never read the Qur'an or studied the rituals of Islam.

Beginning July 8th, we will be offering a six-week interactive session to help you learn how to confidently share the Gospel with Muslims. The Camel Workshop has proven to be one of the most powerful, proven and effective Muslim evangelism tools available. In this workshop you will learn what the Qur'an has to say about Jesus and the Bible and how to enter into a respectful and logical discussion of the Gospel using the Qur'an as a springboard.

The Camel Workshop is hosted by NPCC in conjunction with Impact Middle East and the sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. The cost of the workshop is $35.00 and includes the workshop Journal, DVD and an English version Qur'an. You can register by calling the office at 330-602-5600 or my line directly at 330-602-3033. We hope you will join us and the next time you hear the word Muslim you might think of words like friend, saved, Christ follower and redeemed.

Food Drive '09

That's right, the Go '09 Food Drive is almost upon us. Beginning the last Sunday in June and lasting through the final Sunday in July we will be collecting non-perishable items for the four major food pantries in the area. We will then deliver all of the food boxes on August 2nd during Community Impact Day.

The first year, G0 '07, saw just over 1200 boxes of food collected while the Go '08 drive collected an amazing 1600 odd boxes of food. This year the goal is 2000 boxes of food for the local pantries!

So, clean out those cupboards, clip those coupons, notify your neighbors and collect from your co-workers. You can begin bringing in your items on June 28th and drop them off in Studio 56. From there, we will handle the boxing and counting and give weekly updates on the progress towards our goal.

It is always and exciting time and more importantly, it has a tremendous impact on many wonderful people in our area. Please help us blow right past our goal of 2000 boxes and touch our community One meal @ a time.

Marked

On my last trip to the Middle East, I had the privilege of traveling to a number of villages along the Nile in Upper Egypt. One thing stands out loud and clear. You're either Muslim or you're Christian. There is very little, if anything else, that more clearly defines what you are.

And to take it a step further, each Christian has tattooed on the inside of their right wrist or between the thumb and first finger of their right hand the mark of the cross for all the world to see. Every time you shake hands, you see the cross. Every time you pay for food, you see the cross. Every time you reach for something, you see the cross.

Being a Christian in that culture is to be marked and set apart in the minority. What if we did that here? What if being a Christian required a tatoo and every time you used your right hand (for whatever reason), the cross was visible for everyone to see. How would it affect the way you live your life? Are you ready for all the world to see that you are a Christian every time they view your right hand? Are you willing to be permanently and visibly marked for your belief in Christ?