Muslims and Baptists can get along?

Even though the 3% Muslim student population may not seem like much, by a high percentage margin, Houston Baptist University has the highest Muslim student population of any Christian school in the country.   In a very interesting experiment, the school is welcoming and reaching out to Muslim students through a quality education, and many other opportunities to learn about the claims of Christ.  They do so in a very open and non-adversarial manner, many Muslim parents have chosen to send their kids there, and Muslim students actually are having a great time.  You can read more in Christianity Today's recent article.  

In a bustling Middle Eastern population center in Jordan, The Baptist School, started by the Southern Baptists nearly half a decade ago, is educating Muslim students in an openly Christian environment right in the Middle East.  Many are surprised to hear that such a school is allowed to exist, let alone that 50% of its students are Muslim.  The fact is that Muslims are grateful for the inter-faith experience.  I talked with Ziad, a graduate of the Baptist school recently, who said that even the former king sent his kids there.  He himself felt that the morality and shared values pointed to the fact that Muslims and Christians have way more in common than they have differences. He spoke very fondly of his experience, and though not a Christian, understands a great deal about faith, a Christian world view, and has heard the gospel.

In contrast, we visited a large Baptist church near Dearborn several years ago, that didn't seem to want anything to do with Muslims.  Dearborn happens to have the highest concentration of Middle Easterners outside the Middle East of anywhere in the world... and this church is sitting on their doorstep, frozen in fear, largely looking inward. What makes the difference?  

 To speak is not enough... we need to demonstrate, and be willing to let ourselves incarnate, to become Jesus to others.  This means giving up on parts of ourself, just like Jesus chose not to exert the power of his divinity, we have to set aside our cultural pride and fear.   I find it really enouraging that there are some seeking to be holistic in their approach to being witnesses.  Integrating our lives with Muslims, living out Jesus in a real way, demonstrating that the gospel is more than just words and belief... it's action!  I hope more beleivers, churhes and Christian organizations will follow the examples of these great schools.