Christ’s Method for Connecting with Muslims

A Bridge of Compassion 

Just a few miles from two Adventist churches in one of the countries of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, a community of Muslims had lived alongside Adventists for more than a century. This community had little or no interaction with our churches, and they had gone about their lives, working, raising families, fasting during Ramadan, and praying five times a day, while the two churches nearby continued their worship and evangelism programs, never crossing paths with their Muslim neighbors.

Then one year, during Ramadan, something changed. The churches were moved by an initiative they learned about from the Global Mission Center for Adventist Muslim Relations (CAMR) called Prayer and Acts of Kindness. They began praying together, though at first they weren’t sure what acts of kindness to carry out. That same season a typhoon struck the region and destroyed the only bridge connecting the Muslim village, built on the water, to the mainland. Cut off from supplies and support, the villagers faced despair. 

As these two churches prayed, the Holy Spirit impressed them to act. They combined their resources, organized volunteers, and rebuilt the bridge. When the bridge was completed, the Muslims, who had long viewed Christians with suspicion, were deeply moved. Their hearts opened. They no longer saw Adventists as enemies, but as genuine friends who cared. This bridge became more than a wooden structure—it became a symbol of hope, compassion, and the love of Christ made visible.

In my many years of ministry among Muslims, the first thing I learned was that Muslims are also loved by God, as noted in John 10:16, which says, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice.” The second important realization I had was that the approaches we use with people from other faith backgrounds, especially with other Christians, don’t work with Muslims. Jesus, however, gave us an approach that does open their hearts. 

Understanding Muslims: A People Loved by God 

Islam is a religion followed by 2 billion people worldwide. The word “Islam” means “submission,” and a “Muslim” is “one who submits” to God (“Allah” in Arabic). Muslims believe in one God, the Creator of heaven and earth. They trace their faith back to Abraham (Ibrahim) and consider prophets such as Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa) to be messengers of God. 

Muslims believe in God, angels, prophets, holy books, and the last days. They emphasize moral living through the five pillars of Islam: confession of faith in God and their prophet, daily prayer five times a day, fasting during the month of Ramadan, almsgiving to the poor, and pilgrimage to Mecca. These guide their spiritual lives. 

For Muslims, faith is not just belief—it’s a way of life. Many Muslims are sincere seekers of truth who long to please God and find peace with Him. As Adventists, we believe that the same God who loves us also loves them. Christ did not come for one people group, but for all humanity. The everlasting gospel of Revelation 14:6 is meant for “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” 

Compassion opens the door where words cannot.

Why Traditional Methods Don’t Work 

For decades we have tried to reach Muslims with traditional evangelistic methods: book distribution, public preaching, and debates. Yet in many contexts these approaches have had minimal results.

When a person is hungry, grieving, or struggling to survive, arguments about doctrine cannot touch them. Jesus understood this. He did not preach at people; He had compassion for them. Ellen G. White captures this beautifully: “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’ ”[*]

Too often we skip the first four steps—mingling, sympathizing, ministering, and winning confidence—and go straight to the last one: “Follow Me.” But hearts that have not experienced love may not be ready to receive truth. 

We see this when working among our Muslim friends. Many of them assume that Christians don’t like them and that the Bible is corrupted. But when they see Christians living out the love of Jesus by serving the poor, helping during crises, or simply being kind, they begin to question those assumptions. Compassion opens the door where words cannot. 

The Power of Prayer and Acts of Kindness 

The Muslim fasting season (February 17-March 19) in 2026 offers a unique opportunity for Adventists worldwide to engage in the Prayer and Acts of Kindness movement. God calls us to a ministry of prayer! His promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is clear: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 

We also see, in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, that believers are encouraged to pray for all people: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (NIV).

During Ramadan, Muslims devote themselves to prayer, fasting, and spiritual reflection. Adventists around the world can pray for them that there would be peace in the war-torn Muslim countries and that, as they seek God, they may encounter Jesus in dreams and visions, as many already have. In fact, such a movement has begun! Last year 100,000 Adventists prayed for peace in the world and for Muslims to know Jesus. 

I invite you to join this movement by getting the digital Prayer Diary from your local Adventist-Muslim Relations or Adventist Mission leader. Each day the diary highlights a specific prayer theme for a Muslim country. Imagine the global impact if every Adventist church participated! Most of us cannot go to other countries, but we can still pray for God to bring peace in the world and to touch the hearts and souls of Muslims with the beautiful love of Jesus. 

But prayer alone is not enough. Prayer must be paired with action. That’s why every member and every administrative department is invited to participate in Prayer and Acts of Kindnessduring the month of Ramadan. Since Ramadan is a time Muslims are seeking God, this is our best opportunity of the year to reach them for Jesus. You can pray! You can show kindness! Join this global initiative by contacting your Adventist-Muslim Relations or Adventist Mission leader. 

Muslims are reached through compassion, prayer, practical acts of kindness, and genuine relationships rather than through the traditional campaigns we usually rely on. It is love in action that dissolves suspicion and opens Muslim hearts, as the Adventists in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division discovered when they cared enough to build a bridge to a Muslim village. It is Christ’s method—mingling with people, showing sympathy, meeting needs, and winning confidence—that is the most effective way to touch the lives of these people He loves! Let us love as He does, praying and joining together through this global initiative to reflect Jesus’ love to Muslims in practical ways.

Ideas for Acts of Kindness:

• Free health checks

• Dental services

• Health seminars

• Providing food packages to needy families during Ramadan evenings

• Tutoring, literacy classes

• Providing safe spaces in which children can play and learn

• Visiting your neighbors

• Sharing fruit or simple gifts at the end of fasting days

• Joining community iftars (the breaking of the fast at evening meals).

[*] Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905),p. 143.