How God changed my heart towards Muslims

In the past I have always had a fear and lack of understanding about Islam that was influenced by misconceptions and lack of knowledge. This caused me to keep my distance from those who practiced the faith of Islam. However, my perspective began changing when I came across Loving Muslims Together (LMT) through my home church.

My first encounter with LMT was thanks to Cristina. A friend and avid supporter of missions who reaches Muslims through this ministry. It’s because of her meaningful dedication and the projects held by LMT that touched my heart! Her strong witness and testimony captivated me and urged me to want to know more about the people I had so widely misunderstood.

I took a step further by joining one of their online courses where my transformational journey began right there and then. The course was full of life-changing stories of Muslims finding faith in Jesus Christ. The blend of enlightenment and emotional depth left a lasting impression on me. The deep influence of Christs love for those people touched me deeply prompting me to reconsider my previous beliefs.

Eager to learn more, I decided to join LMTs prayer group and completed the Kairos Bible Study program. The study explores global missions and the importance of Christians engaging with cross-cultural communities. It dawned on me that missions were not only a task, but rather a sincere expression of following Jesus’ teachings to love all. As I engaged with the study material and prayer times my prior apprehensions faded away.

I began to appreciate the love that God offers to everyone. I even began having more friendly interactions with those of other religions which I previously misunderstood, this time with a new perspective. I did not need to avoid them because they were different and did not hold my same beliefs, moreover I need to reach these people with the love that Christ has bestowed upon my own life.

To enhance my knowledge further I also took part in several bible studies and courses such as Blue Chord, Bridges and Storyweavers. These bible studies offered ways to connect cultures and nurture compassion. Through these interactions I discovered that the love of Jesus Christ knows no bounds reaching beyond all barriers. The message of the Bible is straightforward; God’s love knows no limits, and embraces everyone unconditionally. John 3:16 mentions that God loved the world so much that he offered his only Son to give eternal life to those who have faith in him so they may avoid perishing but instead receive eternal life through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Through my experiences attending LMT courses, bible studies, and prayer times I have found myself consistently moved by numerous accounts of Muslims discovering solace and redemption in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Every story showcases the impact of God’s love and has helped dissolve my previous hesitations. It dawned upon me that Muslims are just as beloved by God as anyone and therefore deserve our empathy and comprehension.

My heart underwent a change, shifting from fear and misunderstandings that used to hinder me to a sincere and profound love and dedication to connecting with others on a deeper level. I have come to realize that showing love to people irrespective of their beliefs and origins mirrors the kind of love Christ embodies—a boundless love that surpasses all boundaries.

The experience I have gained with LMT has truly transformed me at a deeper level. I've come to realize that fear cannot exist in a space where love is meant to flourish. This newfound insight motivates me to spread the love of Jesus Christ to those whom I previously did not fully understand.