Right now I’m with some of my friends travelling through New Zealand doing a series of Cross & Crescent Conferences. These events bring teaching to the church concerning the ideology of Islam and how we, as followers of Jesus, are to reveal God’s love to the Muslim world. By the time we fly back to Australia, next week, we would have completed our 28^th conference – in 6 nations. Since commencing these events 7 years ago, our publications ministry has produced a number of books (some have become best sellers) written by the team who teach at these conferences. These books can be purchased from our online bookshop, amazon.com, Koorong Books and a number of Christian bookshops in Australia and New Zealand.

In Dr. Stuart Robinson’s best selling award winning book, Mosques and Miracles, there is much wisdom and knowledge concerning Islam and how God is revealing himself to Muslim’s all across the Arab world. However, there is one statement (page 91) that should sound a loud wake up call to the people of God, not only in Australia but other western nations where Islam is growing, I quote, “Australia’s religious mosaic has been forever changed… This means not only that Islam is here to stay but also that it will play an increasing influential role in the religious affairs of this nation.”

Today Islam is now an Australian religion; a religion that does not confine itself just to religious activity, it now permeates our culture! It has adapted to various patterns of behaviour with corresponding values that are fast becoming embedded in our commercial enterprises, education and legal systems, civic laws and other spheres of society.

In his soon to be release new book, The Challenge of Islam – calling the church to act with new decisiveness, humility and devotion, Dr Robinson outlines four key areas – Religion; Politics; Finance; Immigration - of challenge that the church and western society are facing because of the spread of Islam.

Are you aware that there is no Muslim nation that has ever become extinct? What fate befalls us in Australia? Will the Christian Church come to grips with what is happening in suburbs and towns across Australia in relation to Islam and its influence on our liberal democratic society? Will we intentionally and prayerfully resource and implement appropriate responses to confront and challenge this tide of anti Judo-Christian influence in our society; or will the Church continue to turn its back and claim that it’s too difficult and too dangerous to reach-out and engage with Muslims – maybe it’s too impossible! Will we let our light shine or hide it under a barrel when it comes to this major challenge that is facing us today? Let us not lose sight of, or ever forget that, our God is the God of the impossible (Matt 19:26).

Martin Luther King once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I believe that the problem regarding change is not in the world, but rather in the Church! It’s in our mission; we need to be radically obedient and fully committed to the claims of Christ and make His last command our first priority.

Robinson states in Mosques and Miracles (page 317) that, “Wherever people choose to believe God and push forward in faith, He is doing amazing things – even amongst Muslims”. Can we as His church in the West, press forward in this kind of Faith?

Today, society needs to hear the prophetic voice of the church. It’s time for the Church to wake up to this challenge. To throw off unbelief and defeatism, and in His love and compassion reach-out to those needing to hear the good news of the Gospel.

Consumed by His amazing love!