|
|
My name is Sabir Nazir Bashir, originally from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I was born and raised in a Christian home where both grandparents were ministers of the Gospel. Since childhood I have felt a calling to serve the Lord as a missionary  worker. I started in street evangelism, literature distribution and Bible Study cell groups. During the 1st Islamic Conference in Pakistan I helped distribute tracks to all the Muslim's attending the Islamic Conference.
A few years ago Pastor Karim Baidaoui came to talk about the ministry People of the Book Lutheran Outreach among Muslim's at a Pakistani/Indian Church in Richardson, TX. It was inspiring to hear and see a Muslim convert speak so passionately about Jesus and the Power of the Gospel. Pastor Karim's Bible study about "Islam in the light of the Cross" really opened my eyes on the importance to reach out to Muslim's and plant ethnic churches from all nations in this United State of Texas.
Last year my friend Aamir Masih invited me to worship at his church, 'Asian Church of All Nations' at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church In Carrollton, he introduced me to Pastor Karim who invited me to attend a Mission Conference in Michigan. After wards I attended a 12 week bible study and became a deacon in the Asian Lutheran Church.
The reason I joined the POBLO-TX team is because of the missionaries commitment to the Great Commission and their passion to reach out to the lost among the fastest growing religion in the World today: "Islam".
My first day on board with POBLO-TX was a trip to Longview, TX. Pastor Darrell and his team at Faith Lutheran Church invited us to lead a study about 'Islam in Light of the Cross' among pastors in the surrounding area. We had the opportunity to meet some real mission minded pastors who desire to support POBLO-TX in planting a church in Long View and reach out to their Muslim neighbors. Everyone's love, hospitality and passion for the Lord were very encouraging. Pastor Darrell introduced us to a brave and mission minded business man, Terry Edney. He let us borrow his nice and large building free of cost for the entire day (he usually charges $ 2000.00/day).
At the end of the study brother Terry told us something that I think is worth sharing with all LCMS churches, especially those in East Texas. He was offered three times the rent by a group of Muslims on the condition that he should remove the cross that was hanging inside the building. But why the Cross? Because the Qur'an denies the crucifixion in Chapter 4 verse 157 the Qur'an says (the Jews say in boast) "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, ...for sure they killed him not, but Allah lifted him up to himself." It was for this very reason Jesus came as he confirms it in, John 12:30-33 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
In this stressful economy, who would not grab hold of such an opportunity and pocket $6,000.00 instead of only $2,000.00. Why not? No one would even notice or tell, right? But not Terry, he refused to do business with those whose aim is to take down the Cross and turn the building into a Mosque. Muslims were ready to pay cash and invite as many as 500 worshipers on an average "holy" Friday. Without hesitation, Terry turned down the offer but lifted high the Cross "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me". Luke 9:23 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26
Oh what a great testimony this is for those among us who are dealing and wheeling inside the temple of the Lord. They are turning Jesus Father's house into a dean of robbers.
How do we then face the Giant of Islam in our churches today? By planting more churches in their own backyards. Jesus has sent us ... to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:18-19 What a great opportunity for you to pray and partner with us in planting churches of all nations Rev 7:9-11. Long View Texas hence provides an opportunity for POBLO-TX and all LCMS Churches to help empower the ministry of the Gospel among Muslim's to make disciples of the Cross from all nations "Reaching, Teaching and Living among our Muslim neighbors and making disciples of the Cross from All Nations".
I am excited about POBLO-TX ministry of the Gospel to all nations and the calling that God has placed upon my heart. Please pray for me and all of the
missionaries for the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few.
Sabir Nazir Bashir,
POBLO-TX Deacon/Missionary
|
|
|
Do you know the minimum wage, how many hours a week you can work before being paid overtime, or when you can apply for unemployment? Do you know what to do if you have been harassed or discriminated against? These are questions that not everyone knows the answers to, most especially our refugees. It is important for our students to understand their rights when it comes to their jobs. We who work and volunteer for POBLO-TX and ESL hear stories every week of our students working for many hours for too little pay. If our students do make minimum wage, they do not make overtime, and most of their pay is under the table. Most are too afraid of losing their jobs to turn in their employers to the authorities. That is not to say that all of our students face these labor problems, but many do.
Monday, April 5th, ESL hosted our second resource fair. The focus of this fair was employment regulations. The Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission all spoke to our students. Our student Ala, formerly part of the multi-national forces in Iraq, translated for our Arabic speakers. Pastor Hsa Twel, pastor of the Karen Baptist Fellowship, translated for our Karen students. Since the fair, a student has come to me with a Texas Workforce Commission pamphlet because her husband needs to file for unemployment benefits. He lost his job because he was sick. Our refugees struggle everyday to get and keep jobs. The organizations that spoke to the students on Monday night gave them information so they are better equipped for the employment struggles they may face.
 Please do not think everything was serious at the Resource Fair. It was, after all, Easter Monday, and the children partied all evening long. After all 500 eggs were scattered and hidden across the courtyard, the children were let loose to grab as many as they could. The children, toddlers to middle-schoolers, had so much fun hunting eggs. When they thought there were no more, someone would point out places they had not yet looked. When finished, they all sat on the hill for a wonderful photo. That evening, as they ate their candy, the children played in the playground and then later played duck-duck goose. Pastor Karim Baidaoui even got in the act - we have a photo to prove it! Many children had never hunted eggs before or, because they are Muslim, celebrated Easter in any manner.
This was a small way for us to introduce them to our most important Christian celebration.
Special thanks goes out to all of those who helped with the resource fair and help with ESL every week, including our members Greg and Marsha Rogers, Marlene Clauss, Beverly Hite, and most especially Jean Lehmann who leads our children's program. We could not do this without all of you. God's blessings to you all.
Kelly Archaimbault
POBLO-TX ESL Director
|
|
|
ESL Summer Connect 2010
|
 Our ESL Summer Connect program is in full swing. We have more participants and volunteers than ever before - Praise God!
This summer we have been Blessed with volunteers from Holy Shepherd - Haslet, TX. There is always room for more - please contact us if you would like to be a part of this out reach ministry on Monday nights from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
