Next Steps

Dedicating your life to glorify God in the Muslim world is a process – a series of small, vital steps that require continuous faith and perseverance. No one arrives on the field by accident or whim. In fact, many workers consider initially getting to the field even more difficult than learning a language and establishing new fellowships of Muslim-born believers.

As you read God’s promises for all peoples to worship Him, you may grow excited, overwhelmed, or both. You may wonder:

• “What part could I possibly play in helping some of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims know my Savior?”

It’s a legitimate question. People like Nehemiah, Gideon, David, and others probably asked similar questions in the face of huge obstacles.

Don’t stop at the first question.

Over 1.5 billion Muslims do not know the Truth of Jesus Christ. Will you consider praying, going or giving?

1. Pray.

Seek His face. If you are thinking about a particular Muslim people group or country, ask God what His heart is for it. Request permission to join His plan, rather than asking Him to bless your own ideas. Offer your life to Him again, whatever the cost. “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

As you continue to pray, anticipate distractions--they will inevitably come. This idea of going will be met by opposition – from spiritual forces, sometimes even from your own family, friends, and fellowship. You may hear:

• “What about all the unreached people right here in the U.S.?”
• or
• “The Muslim world is dangerous. They don’t even let Americans visit.”

2. Find others who will join you in prayer.

Share your thoughts with one or two other believers who will listen and not shoot down your idea right away. Not every believer is supposed to go overseas, but all of us are called to love His world, listen to His Spirit and obey. As you look for people to confide in, consider inviting those who devote their time to prayer. One could be a leader in your church, but keep in mind that one may be someone who needs to exercise their gift of encouragement. Let them practice on you!

3. Break out of your box

As you consider sharing your faith in a new culture, look around your community to find Muslims whom you could learn from and befriend. Your new cross-cultural friends will soon want to know what you believe and why. Visit their restaurants and grocery stores. If you are willing to do this consistently, that is a good sign – to you and your church– that God wired you specially.

Don’t first take a class or read. Just find out how it feels to do it. Take a friend with you. Breaking out of a routine is not easy for most Americans, who pride ourselves in busyness. It requires intentionality and saying “no” to other Christian activities temporarily.

4. Consider taking a short-term trip

Going on short-term trips overseas was not even an option for centuries, so it’s not a requirement for people now seeking to serve long-term.

However, testing yourself for a few weeks overseas has some advantages. You may find that you thrive in a new, different culture and receive further confirmation: “This is what I have been designed by God to do.” Or it may provide a reality check. If you are married, go with your spouse so you can both listen to God. A short-term experience is a success whether it empowers you to pursue long-term service or causes you to step back and reconsider your original plans.

Choose a short-term trip that will allow you ample time to learn from long-term workers. Many short-term experiences fail because the short-termers want to show their long-term hosts “how it’s done” or bring back some significant story to their church and other supporters.

But if you go with the attitude of a servant and learner, you will have an unforgettable experience that will launch you much farther ahead as you investigate God’s call upon your life. Learn about short-term trips.

Frontiers can help

Around the U.S., there are Frontiers field workers and representatives who would love to share with you their own journey toward blessing Muslims, listen to your story, encourage and pray with you.

If you would like to meet with someone from Frontiers, take our online survey, The Journey, so we can learn how we can help. It could be the first step to an exciting, world-changing future!