The Talk Place

What I did to reach the Muslims at our Church.

Our church in Newport, Victoria -near Williamstown in the western suburbs of Melbourne- is quite literally next door to a mosque. For some time they used to use our hall for various functions, parties, celebrations etc.

This I thought was a tremendous opportunity so I decided to place a “please take one” display station in the hall full of our good news pocket books(link) and some of our Look Listen and Live books, together with the appropriate tape in Arabic and alternately in English. I did have to replenish this supply from time to time so I do know that some of them were taken.

In order to make sure that I used the most appropriate Arabic. I first took a copy of several different Arabic dialects to one of the Arabic shop owners that I was friendly with. I asked which they thought that most of the people who would be using our hall would speak. They were very happy to help even though they where Muslim themselves. I learned A long time ago that if you don't ask you can never know how people are going to respond.

Of course I have no idea how well they were received and for that matter I don’t even know for sure that they were taken by the mosque community that used the hall. It could have been any number of other users of the halls. Still I set the station up with prayer and as long as it remained up I continued to pray for its effectiveness.

I thought that I would pass this idea on to you and ask you if about any ideas you have had to use outreach materials.