EVIA, Greece – The head of the European Evangelical Alliance reassured delegates at the alliance’s annual assembly in Greece this week that Christians have nothing to fear from Islam in Europe.
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(Photo: Christian Today / EEA)Gordon Showell-Rogers, head of the European Evangelical Alliance, tells Christians that they have nothing to fear from growing Islam in Europe. One hundred and twenty evangelicals were in Evia, Greece, October 16-20, 2007, for the EEA's annual assembly.
In a powerful address on day two of the assembly, EAA General Secretary Gordon Showell-Rogers reminded Christians that Muslims in Europe still make up only a very small percentage of Europe’s population – around 4.5 percent – and that while migration has brought in Muslims, it has also brought in large numbers of Christians to the continent.
Rather than being intimidated by Islam’s growth in Europe, Showell-Rogers encouraged delegates to see the evangelistic potential.
“Evangelicals have nothing at all to fear from any form of Islam. Christ is greater than even the greatest of world religions,” he stated. “Instead of being afraid and ‘demonizing’ people, we should see the presence of Muslim communities in Europe as a great evangelistic opportunity.”
He went on to reaffirm the power of Jesus Christ to change Europe as well as the mandate of the European Evangelical Alliance to bring the Good News to those who still live without Christ.
“We need to help one another to rediscover our confidence in the radical and transforming power of the Good News of Jesus. God’s eternal plans for the universe revolve around Jesus. He is not always popular, but He is the only hope for individuals and for society and for the planet.”
Showell-Rogers concluded his address with a reminder of the absolute victory of Christ. “He is alive,” he exclaimed. “The fact is He has conquered sin and death. The fact is He is one day returning and in the meantime He is building His Church. And His Kingdom is near and even among us … as we proclaim and live out the Good News of God in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, in the early 21st century.”
The EEA head’s address followed the call to evangelicals earlier on at the assembly from EEA Associate Dr. Derek Copley to keep their passion for the gospel.
“We have to get churches back into the habit of witnessing Jesus Christ,” he stressed.
“Some evangelical alliances have lost their passion for reaching people without Christ. Others have simply been diverted,” he added.
“I want to see us be not simply an influence in Europe. I want to see the gospel re-gain ground in Europe.”
More than one hundred EEA members gathered on the Greek island of Evia this week to share successes and to assess current challenges in European mission around the theme of “Increasing our influence in Europe.”
The EEA assembly opened Tuesday night with an emotional appeal from the Evangelical Alliance in Turkey for prayers after the horrific murder of three Bible publishing workers in April.
On Thursday, the assembly was scheduled to discuss the EEA’s Strategic Plan for 2008, which sets out a strategy for strengthening the church in Europe’s effectiveness as salt and light in society in the coming years.
The EEA Assembly Closing Celebration was scheduled to take place on the evening of Friday, October 19.
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If the Muslims put down their weapons there would be no more war.
If the Jews and Christians put down their weapons there would be no more Freedom.
Well, the article is right about one thing: Christians have nothing to fear from Islam. The architect of this particular religion has already been defeated. Jesus crushed his head!
5 CENTURIES of Islam murdering and pillaging spawned the Crusades to deliver Europe from their bloodbath of "conversion" by the sword. If Europe had not been rescued the Protestant Reformation would not have happened and the USA would not be here. Consider this when you advocate "peace at any price."
I think we have A LOT to be concerned with concerning Islam. In ISAAC is the Son of the Promise and there is no other answer to the Ishmaelites than that.
ANYONE in the world can be engrafted into the vine of Jesus through faith but this must be preceded by repentance and trusting Jesus as Messiah and King. But to ignore or try in any way to embrace Islam as a "brother" descended from Abraham, as Tony Blair is doing, is INSANE and Anti-Christ.
http://OnlyJesusSaves.com
I have to wonder if Showell Rogers would have said the same thing in 1915 to the 1.5 million Armenian Christians who were slaughtered by the Muslim Turks; Or to the Christians of North Africa who were all but wiped out or subjected to dhimmitude during the first hundred years of Muslim history. Oh, and what about the Jews of Quraysa (over 700 of whom were beheaded in the presence of the "prophet" himself)? Or does entering Europe automatically ensure that the literal teachings of the Koran and example of the life of Mohammed are never followed?
Mr. Rogers is correct that we should reach out to Muslims with a passion for the Gospel of Christ. He is also correct that we should love, not demonize Muslims. But that does not mean we should be blind to the dangers, deception, and devastation caused by the political and religious worldveiw which calls itself "Islam". If Mr. Rogers is really convinced that Christians have nothing to fear in passionately presenting the message of the Gospel to Muslims, perhaps he should try to do so on the streets of Riyadh, Jeddah, or Tehran. He might just change his tune.
I will let two former Muslims talk about Islam from the inside.
check out:
Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs
by Ergun Mehmet & Emir Fethi Caner
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0825424003/002-9402921-0710425)
author's website:
http://www.erguncaner.com/home/books/unveilingislam.php
Honestly speaking, Mr. Rogers was correctly right that, “Evangelicals have nothing at all to fear from any form of Islam. Christ is greater than even the greatest of world religions,” Hitler was great in power, but he was defeated, that's way he killed him self. God had used Hitler evil ways to reborn the Israeli nation! Jehovah Nissi , He is mighty in battle!! Tamna, you should read Rees Howard “Intercessor” it is very good book to understand the unseen world.
What we have to do in Europe is sheering God's love by the power of Holy Spirit to Muslims before to late!
"Evangelicals have nothing at all to fear from any form of Islam." I believe Showell-Rogers heart is in the right place. Unfortunately, he seems to have either lost his mind or is blissfully and willfully ignorant of what is happening in Europe. It almost seems as if he is the Evangelical version of British Foreign Secretary Neville Chamberlain who proudly proclaimed there was nothing to fear from Hitler at that it was "peace in our time" right before the start of World War 2 in Europe. It is a shame, really.
Spiritually speaking, a Christian's faith and strength are grounded in Christ. Therefore, we need not fear those who can kill the body but cannot harm the soul. At the same time, Christians are to be concerned and aware of the dangers of radical extremism within certain segments of Islam. To be ignorant, is to be unprepared and unwise.
Learn more: "Jiihad in America!"
http://www.christianaction.org/jihad_in_america_pamphlet.htm
Evangelicals have nothing to fear? Okay, pal!!! How about their total destruction. Islam has no use for Christians. Do you understand that, Mr. Rogers? Europe is in a state of apostasy and if anything, Christians, so-called, in Europe have everything to lose. How about their credibility???