Forty Five years ago, I was sitting at Shehab Mosque in a Beirut neighborhood, Lebanon. I was helping the imam, Sheikh Abdul Sami Al Shareef with his Quranic studies session after the sunset prayers. I was the youngest among the several older people who gathered in a circle to hear Shiekh Al Shareef interpret the […]
Read moreAuthor: Hesham Shehab
Hicham [pronounced HESHAAM] grew up in a world of bitter animosity between Muslims and Christians, which he experienced personally in a physical attack when only about 7. By age 13 he was recruited by an extremist Muslim group and later fought against Christians in the 1975 war in Lebanon. He was preparing to become a Muslim Preacher (Imam) when a car accident laid him up for a year. In 1980, in his first semester in college, his brother was killed by Christian militia. Hicham's response was to study by day, and by night take out his revenge in attacks on Christians. However, hearing the Sermon on the Mount, in a course of cultural studies (in college), brought him to faith. Later, Hicham earned an M.A. in the history of the Arabs and did Ph.D studies in the history of Islam. Hicham finished his pastoral education at Concordia, Fort Wayne, IN, and is currently in the Ph. D program there. Presently, Hicham, and ordained LCMS minister, pastors Salam Christian Fellowship and works as a missionary to the Muslims with the Lutheran Church in Illinois.He Is Risen
God who turned the Crucifixion into the Resurrection can turn your disbelief and despair into faith. Trust in the power of the Resurrected Christ and He will take your sins and sorrows and turn them into forgiveness and joy. He will turn defeat into victory, turn shame into glory, and turn death into eternal life.
Read moreJesus Christ, The Prince Peace, Reconciles Enemies
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[b] the world to himself, not […]
Read moreFrom a Muslim Extremist to a Follower of Christ; a Testimony to Jesus Christ
Who am I? What is my true nature or essence? What is my true identity? What is my greater purpose in life? How should I live my life? What is death? What happens when we die? Is there a god, and, if so, what is his nature? Most of us do not walk around every […]
Read moreA Middle Eastern Woman Flies to Jesus
Today, Tamara (not her real name), a young Muslim woman was called to the waters of baptism. The angles are rejoicing in heaven and welcoming this new Child of God into the Kingdom. She tried to go to church and follow Jesus in the Middle East, but her family threatened her. In such a shame […]
Read moreLove Your Enemies
BELOW IS A TRANSLATION FROM THE FRENCH, A FACEBOOK POST FROM MR. ASAAD CHAFTARI’S ACCOUNT. THIS IS A REAL STORY THAT TOOK PLACE IN AUSTRALIA IN 2003. One night, always in Australia, sitting with my friend hicham in a Lebanese restaurant whose owner had welcomed us with the affabilité of our country, the latter, after […]
Read moreThe Suffering Messiah: God’s Mission in the Old Testament
Below are four distinct, different ways, in which the missionary message of the Old Testament affects, directs, guides, influences, and or defines the mission work of the Church today. Jesus is the Messiah who suffered for our sins and encourages us to be a light to the world. The concept of crossing geographical or cultural […]
Read moreJesus’ Cross and Resurrection Are My Comfort
“Pastor Hesham, I cannot take it anymore. I want to be baptized,” Lateef, a refugee from the Middle East told me. “I feel crushed under the burden of my sins,” he added. Lateef who is almost sixty is a devoted attendee at Salam Christian Fellowship. He has marked every chapter in his Bible with different […]
Read moreSalam Tenth Anniversary Celebration In Chicagoland
d < While Chicagoans were celebrating the 180th Birthday of the City of Chicago, some Christians in the suburbs were attending the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Salam Christian Fellowship at the Community Center of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, Illinois. Approximately 80 people gathered on Saturday evening, March 4, to share a Middle Eastern meal […]
Read moreDrug Addict Finds Hope in Christ
Matthew 25:36-40 English Standard Version (ESV) 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 […]
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