In February and March of this year CCP held a Friendship First Course with a view to equipping us to be better prepared to witness to our Muslim neighbours. The course was led by Dr Haroon Lal Din and was extremely helpful and informative. The visit to the mosque was particularly forceful. Dr Haroon and his wife Mariam work alongside South Asian Ministries (SAMs) in Blackburn. They have brought many years of ministry experience from working in Pakistan.
Their ministry engages primarily with Christians, Muslims and also Hindus. The aim is, through connections with local churches, to build bridges with the Muslim community and create opportunities to share the gospel respectfully with friends, neighbours and colleagues. So far, over one hundred and twenty participants have attended the Friendship First course and eight churches have been involved. Through increased understanding of the Islamic faith, the courses help to increase our confidence and reduce fear in our witnessing.
In addition to the Friendship First course, SAMs supports the South Asian Fellowship – a place where Asian families can gather together and encourage each other through prayer, worship and Scripture reading (in their native languages). To help increase an understanding of Islam, SAMs also holds lecture events. These lectures cover subjects such as biblical responses to Islam, forgiveness, prayer and apologetics generally. These events have been attended by both Christians and Muslims. Alongside these initiatives SAMs also supports a Mahabba prayer group – part of the Mahabba Network. This network, founded in Oxford, aims to equip local church communities to connect, build friendships, and share their faith with Muslims.
Haroon and Mariam’s current ministry term is due to finish in February 2027. They have been invited by SAMs to commit to a further three year term. Here are some things we can pray:
- For the necessary financial provision to enable this ministry to continue.
- That God will continue to raise up and bless the Friendship First courses and that these will bear fruit for eternity.
- That God will continue to strengthen believers in local Asian fellowships through the ministry of SAMs
- That the lecture programme will continue, the gospel message will be clearly communicated in the lectures and many will come to faith through these events.
- That Mahabba prayer group continue to encourage believers to pray with Christlike love for Muslims in the community.
- For God’s guidance for Haroon, Miriam and those supporting the SAMs ministry.
Serving in Mission (SIM) seconded Haroon and Mariam to Blackburn under their ENGAGE programme. If you want to support this work financially you can do so via the SIM Finance Department link https://sim.co.uk/give/#other using code: Lal Din W50072.
