On Aug. 12, 2006, I boarded a plane for London, England, from the Greenville/Spartanburg airport. Two days before I left, London police announced the arrest of a number of Muslim men who allegedly planned to blow up planes bound for the United States. I was going to the very communities where more than 300,000 Muslims from all over the Gulf region visit and shop during the summer months each year. Muslim tensions were particularly high at this time because of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon between Israel and the Hezbollah militias.
Lane offers packets of Christian literature to passersby in an area of London that is predominantly Muslim.I was going at the invitation of my friend Skip Cartin, who is senior pastor of Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C. Skip and his wife Caroline have a passion for reaching Muslims with the gospel, and their church leads in a joint mission endeavor sponsored by the International Mission Board and Campus Crusade for Christ called “London Bridges.” I want to share a few of my experiences with the hope that some of you will consider participating in this unique mission opportunity.
There were about 25 of us on the mission team, with ages ranging from those in their 20s to those in their 70s. Each day of ministry was preceded by worship and training for our assignment that took place each evening between 5 and 10 p.m. Ministry took the form of one of two different activities each evening which we all took turns sharing in.
One group would leave for one of several parks in London where Muslims would gather in groups for recreation and fellowship. One evening I approached a group of men gathered in a circle. I will admit that I was apprehensive about approaching strangers from another culture, but I was immediately welcomed into their circle and given coffee and dates. They told me of their culture and faith, and I had the opportunity to share my faith in Christ. The oldest of the men in the group (who looked like a biblical patriarch) insisted on getting a picture with me and two others from our group.
Another group would head for the busy streets where Muslims shop each evening in London. We would stand on the streets and distribute packets that included a New Testament in Arabic and a “Jesus” film (evangelistic film presenting the gospel) in Arabic. We wore aprons that proclaimed “free gift” in Arabic letters. We learned Arabic phrases to get their attention, although most spoke English.
One evening two young girls approached me to ask where I was from and what I was doing. I explained our mission and offered them a packet. They told me joyfully that they were Christians living in Egypt. When I offered them packets to take home to their lost friends, they told me they could not because such activity was illegal. Their response points out the strategic genius of London Bridges. More than 15,000 New Testaments and “Jesus” films were distributed during the summer to Muslims, who would take them home to countries where Christian missionaries are not permitted to evangelize. A web address is included in each packet that allows follow-up for those who want more information.
We were aided in our distribution efforts each evening by amazing Christians who live and minister in predominantly Muslim countries. I cannot give their names or locations because they risk their lives to obey the Great Commission. They were an inspiration to us and examples of courage that reminded me of Paul and the first missionaries. They provided language training and helped us understand the culture and distorted views that Muslims have of the Bible and Christianity. Many Muslims have never heard the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
How were we treated by the Muslims? Some were indifferent, some gladly took our literature, and a few were angrily opposed to our efforts. After an angry Muslim confronted me at the entrance to a market, another came up to apologize to me for his anger and I was able to give him a New Testament.
If you’re looking for a mission trip with lots of decisions for Christ, London Bridges is not for you. Working with Muslims is difficult and a slow process. But if you’re looking for an opportunity to reach one of the largest and most neglected mission fields in the world, London Bridges is definitely for you. My life and view of the Muslim world has been permanently changed.
If you would like more information about how you could be involved in this summer’s London Bridges, contact Brent Bowman at 5bowmans@bellsouth.net or LondonBridges@pobox.com.
Lane is pastor of West Side Baptist Church in Greenwood.