A Strategy for Contextualized Ministry to Muslim Women at Aba in Aba East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Abstract

Various strategies have been applied by the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church to communicate the gospel to non-Christians; but none has been positively utilized for outreach to Muslim Women in Aba Community. Hence, this study aimed at designing and developing an effective evangelism program that will meet the yearnings of the Muslim women at Aba. Also, it is aimed at raising awareness of the church and the Adventist Women’s Ministry, in particular, to the need for witness among Muslim women through the building of personal relationships, genuine kindness, hospitality, medical and relief/development efforts, and educational endeavors. The objective of the program was the development of a relevant message based on the felt needs of Muslim women. This study followed a program development model, using training, seminars and lectures. The results of the study indicated that it helped the women of the Church to change their negative perception about Islam and Muslims. The women of the Church realized that working among Muslims has a biblically informed foundation. Above all, the realization that Jesus died for all brought increased passion among Adventist women to make disciples of Jesus Christ among Muslims. The study recommended consistent effort in training Church members and the women, in particular, by conducting internal workshops and seminars equipping them with relevant knowledge and materials to reach out to Muslim women at Aba.