Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (JN 8:32)

U.S.

Friday, Feb 10, 2012

Muslim Militiaman Turned Missionary Spreading Peace of Christ

0
By Jenna Lyle , Christian Today Reporter
March 24, 2009|5:53 pm

Hicham Chehab is a missionary with a difference. A Lebanese-born Muslim, he took up arms with his brother during the Lebanese Civil War between Christians and Muslims.

His brother was killed by Christians and he himself still bears the scar of an attack by Christians. Despite this, he says the teachings of Jesus led him to a life of spreading the peace of the Gospel.

During the Civil War, he joined a Muslim militia together with his brother, who served as a captain until he was killed.

He learned how to use rocket launchers, mortars and rifles and was told, “If you want to shoot straight, imagine that there is a Christian in your sights,” according to Chicago's Daily Herald. In the war, he fought as a sniper.

While he was studying at the American University in Beirut, Chehab’s brother was killed by a Christian militia while he was trying to negotiate a truce. Following his brother’s death, Chehab brought two pistols and a silencer to campus with the intention of killing Christians.

But during his studies he came across the teachings of Jesus which had a profound effect on him, especially the Sermon on the Mount and its call to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Like us on Facebook

Chehab said, "I who was stalking my enemies with a gun and a silencer at night heard for the first time, 'love your enemy.' I felt this was superhuman or ridiculous. My enemy was somebody who killed my only brother, my only sibling, the shoulder I used to cry on."

Since coming to Jesus he has become a missionary at Salem (“Peace” in Arabic and Persian) Church, in Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard. The Lutheran Arabic Church, which has been operating for one year, serves refugees and immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Palestine.

Chehab said it was called “Peace” Church because only the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, can bring reconciliation to the people of the Middle East. Chehab says he is now devoted to bringing peace between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon.

0
Top Stories

Religious Liberty Issue Not Settled by Revised Contraceptive Mandate

Religious leaders say the newly announced change ...

Santorum Brushes Off Money Concerns, Blasts Obama on Religious Freedom

Rick Santorum disregarded Mitt Romney's money-flush campaign in his CPAC 2012 address saying that the presidential race is not about who has the most cash, but about stopping Barack Obama and his growing grip on American freedoms.

Elevation, 50 NC Churches to Serve Homeless for LOVE Week

Over 50 churches in the Charlotte, N.C.-area will ...

City Council in Iowa in Talks to Bring Prayer Back to Meetings

A religious organization in Iowa is hoping to bring prayer back to city council meetings after the practice was dropped earlier this year.