THE WHOLE GOSPEL FOR MUSLIM COUNTRIES
For the Good News of Jesus Christ to reach the unreached and to support Christians in Muslim countries, we must first gain entry into their world. Secondly, we must demonstrate how the gospel meets real needs, holistically.
Sending Bi-vocational Workers Is The Core Strategy
Over the past 250 years, full-time Christian workers from the West led most mission efforts. Many countries were open to missionaries due to the predominance of Western rule and influence.
But the world has changed since 1945. The rise of nationalism in many countries has come with pride in their own cultures and religions leading to the revival of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Moreover, the spread of political ideology hostile to Christianity has also closed doors to missionaries.
Currently, 90% of unreached people groups live in restrictive access countries, mostly within the 10/40 Window, an area with two-thirds of the world's population. While these countries do not welcome missionaries, businesspeople and professionals who could contribute to their educational, technological, and economic development have good access.
Churches and missions agencies must step up the sending of bi-vocational workers—skilled professionals with a missionary’s heart. Serving in emerging economies with God’s love, they fulfill a three-fold mission: the Great Assignment of Genesis 2 to steward well God’s creation, the Great Commandment of Matthew 22 to love and serve their neighbors, and the Great Commission of Matthew 28 to take the gospel to the nations.
Bi-vocational workers or tentmakers—named after the Apostle Paul—may not be able to openly discuss religion in restrictive access countries, but their lives can model Christian values and inspire faith conversations. This approach is relevant even in places like the US. While there is freedom of speech and religion, Christians must wisely choose when and how to share their faith in a highly secularized society. Globally, people need to see the gospel in practice before being open to its message.
In short, intentional professionals with missionary hearts are needed everywhere. In open countries as much as closed countries, our places of work are mission fields where the Christian faith, lived out among colleagues, clients, vendors, etc. will be on display. Our work ethic, integrity, respect, and care for others will give credibility to our witness and access to the lives of people we want to bless with the gospel.
The Need For Faith & Work Teaching
The Holy Spirit has given birth to the church in hard-to-reach places in the Muslim world. But, unfortunately, many of them, perhaps not unlike their counterparts in the rest of the world, subscribe to a dichotomized worldview where activities revolving around church life are sacred and everything outside the four walls of the church is secular. They focus on the spiritual to the neglect of the economic struggles of believers and their young people’s needs for education and career development. Jobless young Christians, like their Muslim counterparts, end up leaving their country to become migrant workers abroad. Many lose their faith in the process. Those who stay struggle because they are expected to devote their time and energy to serve the church, often at the expense of their education and career.
In recent years, Muslim-majority nations are implementing increasingly restrictive regulations on foreign funding and NGO operations to curb the influence of radical ideologies for the sake of political stability. These measures pose serious challenges for Christian ministries and churches that rely on external funding—a history of financial dependency created in part by missionaries. As a result, local Christian leaders are beginning to explore bi-vocational ministry models to sustain their work.
It will be a kairos moment when the church examines the Scripture for guidance on faith, work, and money. Churches in Muslim-majority countries will then be joining the global faith-and-work movement that God has raised up in the last 30 years. By example, bi-vocational missionaries can share about the divine calling and sacredness of work and encourage believers to embrace their vocation with biblical conviction. A sound theology and practice of faith and work strengthen an individual’s personal dignity, economic stability, and spiritual integrity, which will in turn strengthen the church.
A small but growing number of successful local businesspeople can be found in churches now. They must be encouraged to see the significant gift of influence they have. Beyond supporting the church financially, they can mentor and inspire young people, preparing them for the working world. Their businesses can become platforms for witness as they offer quality products, honest services, and a healthy work environment. It is also important to share these ideas with young pastors who may welcome fresh perspectives.
GLS As A Messenger & Facilitator
GLS has always seen our role as a messenger and facilitator in our service and support for local churches and organizations. In a Muslim-majority country where God has blessed us with connections, we are working with pastors, parachurch ministry leaders, businesspeople and coaching professionals, who have a heart for the next generation, to create contextualized teaching materials on faith and work for the Christian community.
We are also starting a coworking space for believers to access online training, launch startup ventures, facilitate career skills workshops, and host professional events. We hope to mobilize U.S. businesses to support the initiative, to develop it into a hub for international exchange. Locally, we envision the emergence of interchurch professional fellowships for peer learning, networking, spiritual support, and joint mission in community service.
In the final analysis, prayer must undergird everything. God is with his church to lead, provide, invigorate, and transform. Despite Islam’s rapid growth, we trust the Lord will forge something new in his church (Isaiah 43:19). May we have eyes of faith and a long obedience to follow him into the future.