 "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" (Acts 8:31 CEV) |
Exodus from Darkness Daniel Shayesteh |
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'Searching for Truth Together' |
Click Here for Past newsletters |
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in Jesus Christ' |
Nov 2006 |
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Contact details Biography of Daniel Shayesteh July /September 2005 June / July 2005 March / May 2005 Feb 2006 April 2006 July 2006 Sept 2006 December 2006 April 2007 August 2007 October 2007 December 2007 Feb 2008 March 2008 April 2008 |
This update provides the latest news on Daniel’s recent work in New Zealand and Sydney. We thank you for your interest in and prayers for the ministry of Daniel and Mary Shayesteh and ‘Exodus from Darkness’. We pray that as you read these newsletters you will grow in your ability to love and understand Muslims and people of other faiths. We pray that fearfulness, ignorance and passive tolerance will be replaced by confidence, knowledge and the freedom to share the truth about Jesus with people of all nations. Daniel and Mary would appreciate your prayers for Daniel’s mission trip to the United States of America during November. Daniel has a very special prayer point that he would like me to share with you in this November 2006 EFD update. For many years Daniel has wanted Mary to be free to minister alongside him and to sometimes travel with him. We have been unable to do this because of Mary’s pivitol role over the years in bringing in extra income for the Shayesteh family through her job. But Daniel and Mary have it on their hearts to take a step of faith in the first half of next year that would see Mary freed up to work more closely with Daniel in the ministry of Exodus from Darkness. They request earnestly your prayers as they pray to God about this step and they thank you for your fellowship with them through this newsletter. In our lead article Daniel continues his series on “The West has not seen the worst of Jihad yet”. The title for this article is: “The Qur’an hates Moderates; Are Islamic Leaders Moderate?” Contents: 1. “The West has not seen
the worst of Jihad yet” – Part 4 by Daniel and Mary Shayesteh 1. “Qur’an
hates Moderates; Are Islamic Leaders Moderate?” by Daniel and Mary
Shayesteh (Part 4 of “The West has not seen the worst of Jihad yet”) You who believe (Muslims)! Do not take your fathers and your brothers on as sponsors (“Avliya” in Arabic which means supervisor or warden) if they prefer disbelief rather than faith (Islam). Anyone of you who enlists them as sponsors are wrongdoers (“Zalimoon” in Arabic which means cruel people). Those who were left behind are delighted to sit around inactive behind Allah’s messenger, and they hate to struggle (fight) in Allah’s way with their property and persons. They say: “Don’t march off in such heat!” Say: “Hellfire will be even hotter,” if they could only understand. Chapter 33:36 of the Qur’an also says: No believing (Muslim) man nor any believing woman should exercise any choice in their affairs once Allah and his messenger have decided upon some matter. Anyone who disobeys Allah and his messenger has wandered off into manifest error. These and many other verses in the Qur’an prove that any Muslim who speaks of choice (moderates) or does not attend jihad is sinning, cruel and is not taken as a friend by any faithful Muslim. There are many Muslims who are moderates. But these Muslims are not interested in following the foot-steps of Muhammad or taking a religious position. They know if they take such a position, they have to be harsh and disrespectful to others, even to their moderate Muslim parents or siblings. Often, they say, “We do not want to turn our country into the Arabia of 1400 years ago. Unlike the culture of the Qur’an (first verse above), middle-eastern culture encourages a great deal of respect towards parents. Even though Islam has spoiled the culture in many ways, its encouragement of disrespect is still one of the reasons that it has not been able to win greater numbers of Muslims for radicalism. One of the revolutionary judges in Iran sentenced his two sons to death, and after two decades Iranians still consider it as an evil act, even though it was Islamic and Qur’anic. In the middle-east every body knows that anyone who takes over the leadership of a religious body serves for the cause of Islam. This person must act in accordance with the call of Muhammad and the law of Islam. Those with a middle-eastern background, who live in the west, clearly understand the subtle lies of Muslim leaders who claim to be moderate. They know that it is these so-called Muslim leaders who asphalt the roads for the law of Islam and in a manipulative way glorify the killings in the name of Allah. If these so-called moderate leaders did not exist in the west, the jihadist groups in the west would not be able to succeed and advance. These leaders are indeed the real servants of Muhammad who ordered an invasion of the rights of moderate Muslims and non-Muslims. 2. Some of Daniel's upcoming ministry events Daniel has many
opportunities to be 'salt and light' around Australia and overseas.
Please remember him and the Shayesteh family in prayer as they respond
to these opportunities to testify to Jesus. 3. Report on Daniel’s ministry during late September and October in New Zealand and Sydney We invite you to come along for the journey as Daniel reflects on his experiences and opportunities during the past two months. My major purpose in going to New Zealand (NZ) in Sept/Oct was for ministry with the six Christian and Missionary Alliance churches in this country. But during my time away, I also met and interacted with Iranian Christian communities, asylum seekers, Open Doors NZ, Christian and secular radio stations, a Christian TV station and a few other Christian communities. Through all these experiences I discovered how highly our message is needed in NZ. I saw that NZ is an isolated country in a variety of dimensions and that it is also very passive towards the infiltration of Islam. My NZ visit was very timely, especially after the crisis of the Cartoon issue and the Pope Benedict’s comment about Islam. Thousands of people heard me through radio, TV or through my ministry in the churches. Even now, I continue to hear or receive encouraging feedback from various sources about my time in NZ. I also praise God our Father that some souls were saved! Saturday late afternoon, 23rd Sep: I arrived in Auckland and was taken to the West Harbour Alliance Church. Sunday, 24th Sep: At 10.30 I gave a short version of my testimony in the West Harbour Alliance Church. At 2 pm, I gave my testimony in the West Harbour Chinese Alliance Christian Church. It was translated into Chinese. Monday, 25th Sep: I was interviewed two times by Radio Rhema. Tuesday, 26th Sep: I visited a Muslim Iranian family who had come to live in NZ recently. They spoke about the social, political and moral hardship the Iranian Islamic Government has created for Iranians. I spoke to them about the gentle approach of Jesus to humankind and His physical and spiritual healings. They were open to listening, mainly because of their painful experiences in Islam. In the evening, I spoke again in West Harbour Alliance Church about the “Rise of Islam”, “Islam’s Plan for the World” and the “Christian Response” and then answered their questions. Wednesday 27th Sep: I was taken to Gateway Christian Church, in Hamilton, to give my testimony in the evening at a meeting arranged by ORA International. Some Muslims also attended the meeting. People traveled from remote areas a 100 km away in order to hear the message. I still receive positive feedback. It is so encouraging that the pastor of the church and the people in ORA International have the ‘big picture’ and are involved in awakening their communities. Thursday 28th Sep: I was interviewed by a secular radio station for an hour, about my life, the crisis Islam has created in the world and the alternative solutions. Around midday, I returned to Auckland for another interview with radio Rhema. In the evening I attended a prayer meeting held by the West Harbour Alliance Church. Friday 29th Sep: A family took me on a tour around the city and the shoreline. Then in the evening, I spoke about the Christian Leadership Values in a Men’s Meeting at West Harbour Alliance Church, encouraging the men to bring back Christian values into their societies. Saturday 30th Sep: I was taken to Howick, the eastern part of Auckland to minister at a joint meeting of the Alliance Churches including the Chinese Alliance Christian Church and the International Christian Centre. I gave my testimony at a Combined Church Rally in the evening. Sunday 1st Oct: I gave my testimony at 10.30am to a majority Chinese audience that also included several from other ethnic origins. The message was translated into Chinese. At 2pm, I spoke to another Chinese community at the Central Christian & Missionary Alliance Church. Tuesday 3rd Oct: John Gummer (the President of C&MA in NZ) arranged a meeting in the C&MA NZ National Office with the leaders and pastors of other Christian organizations and churches. We first had lunch together, and afterwards I spoke for a while about my background. I then shared with them about Islam’s subtle infiltration in the west and the responsibility of Christians to combat this threat. After this I answered the questions of the audience. In the evening, I gave my testimony at the Edge City Church to a young adult group. Wednesday 4th Oct: I gave my testimony in a meeting arranged by Open Doors NZ at Hillside Community Church. We are so thankful to the Open Doors offices in various countries who unceasingly promote EFD’s ministry. Also, Open Doors, MECO and various churches in NZ are in the process of trying to make arrangements for ‘Mosque and Miracles’ conferences to be held in NZ next year. Thursday 5th Oct: I spoke in a home group arranged by the International Christian Centre. I spoke to them about the responsibility of every Christian to take part in evangelism. “No Christian can excuse himself/herself from evangelism”, I said. Friday 6th Oct: I spoke about my life story in an Alliance Youth Rally which was held in the Chinese Alliance Christian Church. I gave my speech in a way which exposed the significant role of youth in Jesus’ mission. Saturday 7th Oct: I spoke in a three hour seminar amongst those people who are involved in ministry to Muslims in Auckland. I spoke about the cultural dimension of Middle-Eastern people in comparison with Western culture in order to discover the weak and strong parts of both cultures. In the second session, I spoke about the apologetic tools of evangelism that challenges Muslims in their faith and encourages them to search for the truth openly. This seminar was held in Blockhouse Bay Community Alliance Church. Sunday 8th Oct: I gave my testimony at the Blockhouse Bay Community Alliance Church at 10.30am. Then I was taken to YWAM NZ between 2-5pm in order to speak to Iranian asylum seekers and to respond to their questions. At evening, I spoke to the young people in the Blockhouse Bay Community Alliance Church about their role in Christian evangelism. Monday 9th Oct: I was interviewed by Rhema TV at 12.30pm. In the evening, I first gave my testimony in a combined Iranian and ‘Kiwi’ meeting at the Church of Christ in Mt. Roskill, and then compared the attributes of Allah with the God of the Bible. Tuesday 10th Oct: I visited an Iranian-Turkish family. The outcome was highly encouraging. The husband of the house was highly influenced and asked me for a copy of the Gospel. In the evening, I gave the first session of a seminar that was spread over several evenings at the Blockhouse Bay Community Alliance Church. In this first session I lectured about “The Rise of Islam”. Wednesday 11th Oct: During the day I lectured to the ladies in the Blockhouse Bay Community Alliance Church about “Women in Islam”, encouraging them to appreciate their values in Christ. In the evening, I continued with the second session of the seminar, lecturing about the “Work of Allah and Yahweh”. Thursday 12th Oct: I finished the third session of the seminar by lecturing about “Conversational Evangelism”. Friday 13th to Sunday 15th Oct: This was the three day Annual Council in Auckland for CMA NZ Churches. All my messages during these three days were about “Influential Evangelism”. Also on the Saturday evening I spoke at an Iranian Christian community in Auckland. Sunday afternoon 15th Oct: I departed Auckland for Sydney. My messages to the Alliance Community in Auckland were highly encouraging, awakening and strategic. I was welcomed very warmly and looked after wonderfully. Praise the Lord for this opportunity. I also would like to thank the president of the C&MA NZ, and all the pastors, elders and members of the Alliance churches in NZ for the opportunity of visiting Auckland. Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd Oct: I spent the weekend with Epping Church of Christ in Sydney. Many in this church have taken great interest in our ministry (and helped us practically in our work) since its inception in 2002 and this is the church that Michael (my facilitator) attended in the 1970’s and 1980’s. So, it was a great blessing to share our message with them. On the Saturday morning at a breakfast I talked with the men about the importance of being Christian leaders. At the very same time Janet (my eldest daughter) spoke with the women about her journey to Christ and how to share Christ with Muslim women. Later in the morning I gave two 1 hour sessions. In the first session I provided people with a basic understanding of Islam and in the second session I spoke about the importance of using questions to challenge the conscience of the heart when sharing Christ with Muslims. In the evening I shared my testimony and played my Tar in a meeting open to the public. Together we experienced the power of the gospel as I recounted what the Lord Jesus has done in my life. On the Sunday morning I spoke about “Influential Evangelism” and the evening I spoke to the young people about their special role in the kingdom of God. We pray that these messages and my witness to Jesus will be a blessing to this church and the people of their community. I am currently in the USA and I thank you for your prayers as I take part in many ministry opportunities during October and November. Many blessings, 4. Invitations to participate Participating financially in the ministry of Daniel and Mary Shayesteh We invite you to give generously to the ministry of Exodus from Darkness so that Daniel and Mary's transformational message about Christ can continue to bear fruit around Australia and overseas. Full details for contributing to their ministry are at the end of this email. Participating practically in the ministry of Daniel and Mary Shayesteh Daniel has a regular stream of events throughout the year. We would like to invite you (young or old) to consider coming along with Exodus from Darkness on one of these events. This is a great way to support Daniel practically while at the same gaining practical skills and experience in walking the bridge between East and West in Jesus’ Name. You would need to cover any personal travel and accommodation expenses and we’d need to explore with you which events are suitable for Daniel to have extra people with him. Taking part in an ‘Exodus from Darkness’ mission trip is an experience that’s just like ‘walking through the pages of the book of Acts’; so please give this invitation your prayerful consideration. 5. Exodus from Darkness Prayer Requests Please praise the Lord with us for all that has been achieved through the ministry of Exodus from Darkness. Exodus from Darkness is a ‘Specialised Apologetics and Evangelism Ministry’ with three major goals: Raising up Middle- Eastern evangelists, awakening non-Christians and Christians to the uniqueness of Christ and caring for our societies. It is nearly five years since Daniel, Mary and Michael, supported by their families and many other people, started working together in ‘Exodus from Darkness’. Since the early 1990’s hundreds of thousands of people have heard Daniel speak in person around the world in English, Azerbaijani, Turkish or Farsi and we estimate that millions have now heard Daniel through books, CD, DVD, radio, newspapers and television. Please pray for Daniel and
Michael as we fellowship with the Lord Jesus and look to him regarding
the following goals: We speak in Jesus' Name to many hearts across the world, that they will be challenged in this era of globalisation to search for the Truth with all their heart. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance and creativity to be poured out upon us so that we can work together with churches to share the gospel persuasively with local communities. Please pray for all the people who hear Daniel’s testimony to Jesus. Please pray that these people, and all the people they influence, will grow in their courage to walk the bridge between east and west in Jesus’ Name. Please pray for the continuing provision of all Daniel and Mary's financial needs. They have sacrificed much to ensure Daniel could lecture and share his testimony across Australia and overseas. A donation to help them would be a blessing for them. We thank God for a group of people who are supporting Daniel and Mary's ministry spiritually and intellectually as we consider the most effective ways for their ministry to grow in the years ahead. Please pray that the Shayesteh's ministry will be guided along the path of greatest fruitfulness for the kingdom of God. 7. Daniel's books Many people have been
blessed through the special insights into Islam and other religions
that are provided by Daniel's books. Always accompanying these insights
is Daniel's testimony to the uniqueness of Christ our Lord in every
dimension of life. 'The Difference is the Son'
- suggested donation $20 + $5 for postage I close with the
words of Jesus. Shalom! Michael York |
