By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter – July 17, 2015
Raouf Ghattas, pastor and founder of Arabic Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
A Baptist pastor in Tennessee whose young congregation is focused on evangelizing the state’s growing Islamic community has stated that the great obstacle to evangelizing Muslims is the American Church’s apathy on the matter.
Raouf Ghattas, founder and pastor of the Arabic Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, has sought to evangelize among the city’s growing Muslim population.
“Many are apathetic, afraid, or just not sure how to approach a Muslim in witness. We work to train churches and individuals in how to reach out to Muslims, but they still have to be the ones to be active,” said Ghattas to The Christian Post on Friday.
“Our church members are much more active in reaching out, and have opportunities each week to touch Muslims for Christ.”
Ghattas also told CP that another challenge for witnessing among the Muslim community in Murfreesboro is “that the Muslim community in our area is small, and very tight-knit, so everyone knows us and sometimes Muslim residents are told not to interact with us.
“This, however, does not stop us from sharing the love of Christ,” added Ghattas, whose congregation holds two services each Sunday, one in English and one in Arabic.
Also known as Evangelical Arabic Baptist Church, Ghattas’ congregation held its first worship service in April of 2011.