Taken from Don McCurry’s, Tales That Teach (2009) ~
Calcutta is where the first Protestant missionary to Muslims began his work. His name was Henry Martyn. He worked there only seven years, from 1806 to 1812…
By 1810, Martyn had worked out a strategy that is the best I know…Here are his suggestions:
1. Always be a warm, supportive friend to your Muslim neighbor.
2. Appreciate the best in the culture and religion of your Muslim friend.
3. Change the atmosphere from hostility to receptivity by doing some kind of good deed or service for the community. Martyn used medicine.
4. Learn to share your own testimony. People can argue theology, but there is no argument against your personal testimony.
5. Steer your conversation in such a way that it is always Christ-centered.
6. At the appropriate time, lead your friend into a study of Scripture.
7. Trust the Holy Spirit to help you in the communication process, working in both of you, the communicator and the one listening.
pp. 229-230
And to this I’d add:
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving…pray…that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:2-6
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