Liverpool #1 - Getting Acquainted
Getting acquainted
On Saturday, The Outreach Foundation’s “Team Liverpool” assembled from far and wide to say hello both to one another and to our wonderful partners, Shapoor and Yasamin Ahmadi. David Rice returned from his visit to the United States as well and both he and his wife Susan quickly helped to get us settled. The first day of our visit brings together people in various stages of jet lag so we wanted to keep it simple and provide many opportunities for coffee!
Shapoor opened our day by sharing a bit of his testimony with us. He has been in the UK for about 15 years and a follower of Christ for 13 of those years. His journey as a refugee began by living a devout and pious life in Iran as a Muslim, but circumstances changed once his survey crew mistakenly came too close to a secret government site. Overnight he had to leave his possessions, family, and beloved traditions behind. In Turkey, he encountered people who were not nearly as pious as he had been, and he began to leave his faith behind. By the time he arrived in Liverpool as an Iranian refugee, his once devout life had turned completely upside down.
That’s when a Christian from Iran invited him to church, which at first he refused. One of the key themes we are already hearing is how much the hospitality and kindness of Christians have helped to transform the perspectives of Muslims. It is just as Paul wrote to the Romans, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4). Shapoor, his wife Yasamin, and other Muslim background believers tell us experiencing God’s amazing kindness through the church was the initiating step to faith in Jesus Christ.
This week is an immersive experience of ministry with Shapoor and his church’s leadership team. We are joining with them to be part of their powerful ministry of evangelism, teaching, and counseling to Muslim refugees from Iran and other Muslim background believers. It will be our hope and pleasure to report back to you how the kindness of God, along with dreams, visions, miracles, and the pure transformative power of God’s Word are making an impact on the hearts and minds of Muslims today. On Sunday we will start with worship, communion, and baptisms at Shapoor’s church.
Now meet our team! Rev. Dr. Mark and Rev. Toby Mueller (our Executive Director and Toby pastors Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN); Rev. Andrew and Christine Chaney along with their teenage sons, Anderson and Luke (First Presbyterian in Greenwood, MS); Rev. Shawn Hevener and Celia Tuttle (Presbyterian Fellowship of Fountain Inn, SC); Rev. Dr. Larry and Kathryn Michael and Rev. Dr. Tom and Joy Boone (South Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL). Pastor Saulius Karosas who pastors City Church in Lithuania will be joining us from Sunday to Wednesday.
Joyfully submitted,
Tom Boone. Associate Director for Mission
