AGUSM Spotlights Intercultural Ministries and Missionary to Muslims

In the second of a series of spotlights, AG U.S. Missions presented the inspiring testimony of pastor Arsal Sadiq* during the Thursday evening service at General Council in Orlando.

Sadiq grew up in Muslim family in a Middle Eastern country where the vast majority of the country’s population was also Muslim.

“But we were not practicing the real Islam,” Sadiq said of his family in a video interview.

Confused about the real purpose for his life, he bought a Koran to see what Allah wanted him to do. However, instead of answering his questions, it only left him with more questions.

“A guy came to our neighborhood and I borrowed his New Testament and I began to read it,” Sadiq says. Not long afterwards, his new friend invited Sadiq to a house church where upon entering, he says he felt a love that he had never experienced before.

“That morning I gave my life to Jesus, God filled me with the Holy Spirit, and I began to speak in tongues,” Sadiq recalls.

Two years later, Sadiq went to Bible college, returning home to plant a church. But God had different plans — through the process of many miracles, Sadiq was accepted at the University of Valley Forge (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania) as a transfer student.

After graduating, God placed a city on Sadiq’s heart, and he and his wife moved there.

“Wherever I go [in that city], I see Muslims, mosques, Muslims, mosques,” Sadiq says, “so I said, ok, Lord if this is the need, I’m going to do something about it.”

Sadiq applied to be a U.S. Intercultural Ministries missionary, he and his wife itinerated, and became approved as U.S. missionaries to evangelize Muslims as well as to equip local believers in being more effective in evangelizing Muslims.

“Currently I meet with Afghani people, Syrians, Pakistanis, Turkish, some Iraqis, Moroccans, Palestinians . . . I want for pastors to pray, if they will not take gospel to Muslims, that Muslims will take their Koran to Christians,” Sadiq said. “My heart is that every local church will be equipped for Muslims to come in to make friendship with them.”

As Sadiq responded to questions from Intercultural Ministries Director Wayne Huffman and AGUSM Executive Director Malcolm Burleigh, he explained that 90% of Muslims are still overseas in their home countries, many where missionaries cannot reach them. However, when Muslims are reached in the United States, they become the ones who go back to their families, friends, and relatives and share Jesus with them.

“Just like me,” Sadiq says. “I went back to my family, friends, and relatives first to tell them what Jesus did in my life,” noting earlier that his mother, after nearly 25 years, has come to faith in Jesus.

Sadiq observed that many people are cautious about speaking with Muslims as they don’t know what to say or do. He encouraged churches to provide training and seminars as the mission field is often as close as a person’s backyard.

“God is bringing nations here for us to reach out to today!”

In a closing prayer, Assistant General Superintendent Rick DuBose said, "Let [those coming to America] find more than the American dream; let them find Jesus in America."

*Name changed due to sensitivity of the ministry.

Dan Van Veen

Dan Van Veen is news editor of AG News. Prior to transitioning to AG News in 2001, Van Veen served as managing editor of AG U.S. Missions American Horizon magazine for five years. He attends Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri, where he and his wife, Lori, teach preschool Sunday School and 4- and 5-year-old Rainbows boys and girls on Wednesdays.