We would like to thank you, our dear churches, Christian organizations, brothers and sisters, and partners in the ministry, for your kindnesses and sacrifices.  We praise God that from the beginning you realized that we wouldn’t be able to fight alone against the stronghold of Satan.  You, therefore, decided to stand with us in the ministry.  We are amazed and thankful for how your support and prayers have produced ‘huge’ fruit in the world. 

Also, we would like to acknowledge the unceasing efforts of four Christian organizations that have been supporting and promoting the ministry of EFD.  These are M&M in partnership with APN, C&MA of Australia and America and the AiG in America.  M&M and APN have enabled our message to be heard in Australia, NZ, S. Africa and Namibia. Both C&MA America and Australia have endorsed the ministry of EFD, despite threats from radical Muslims, and are behind us to stretch and strengthen our ministry.  Also, AiG has taken the message of EFD to many countries.   People call us from many countries and say that they have watched the DVD of our Testimony, heard interviews and read the article arranged by AiG. 

More than anybody and anything else, we want to thank our Saviour, Jesus, who has freed us so that we are able to speak about the freedom we have tasted.  We love Him so much, and will stand for Him no matter what the cost might be. 

In our lead article we look at ‘Freedom versus the Forces of Ignorance, Silence and Denial’.

Contents:

1. A message from Daniel and Mary Shayesteh: “Freedom versus the Forces of Ignorance, Silence and Denial”
2. Latest news on Daniel and Mary’s ministry in Australia and the USA – August to October 2007
3. Newspaper article on Daniel from Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
4. Upcoming Events – USA, Australia, UK, South America, NZ
5. Exodus from Darkness Prayer Requests
6. Daniel’s Books

A web-based version of this e-newsletter is available at http://www.ministryblue.com/exodus.html.

We also invite you to visit our NEW EFD website at   http://www.exodusfromdarkness.org.au

1. “Freedom versus the Forces of Ignorance, Silence and Denial” – a message from Daniel and Mary Shayesteh

The word “Freedom” is a dynamic word. It encourages people to search for the best values that bring enlightenment and that lead people to just, peaceful and loving relationships.  For freedom, actions of injustice, extortion and dictatorship are barriers to enlightenment.  A freed person believes that a belief or a philosophy that imposes itself on people is unable to take justice and peace to victory. In this situation it is not possible to establish loving relationships.  Unfortunately, many so called free people in the West are missing this simple logic and therefore are confused.

Recent centuries in the West prove that tyrannical regimes disappeared because of freedom fighters.  They spoke out and even put their lives in danger of cruel leaders so that their contemporary communities and the future generation could have the chance for life.  They knew that to establish freedom you need to be born in it and then live in and for it.  Even some of them were burnt by dictators in the squares of Europe.  Their oppressors tried every politic in order to extinguish the flame of freedom in the hearts of these warriors, but they were unable and lost the battle.  This was because many people, young and old, were able to understand that freedom was better than life.  If you are not free you will not have a better life.  The power of logic in these men and women flattened the mountain-like slavery in the West and amazed the whole world.  These warriors of freedom would be so discouraged if they knew that their descendants would one day want to belittle the sacrifices of their forefathers and surrender themselves to the enemies of freedom.

Sadly, the Islamists have started to annihilate the free values in the West, and the West is not only quiet but has also started to deny the core values of its culture. This is firstly because of ignorance, and secondly because of fear of Islamists.  How can you protect freedom if you do not know the difference between freedom and authoritarianism, the enemy of freedom?  The major problem of the West is its lack of understanding about the doctrine of its enemies.    Those who do not know or are not interested in knowing the doctrine of their enemies, will not be able to protect their families, lands and values.

The Qur’an declares that the religion of Allah must triumph over all and that the values of non-Muslims are against the faith of Allah. Islamists walk in the streets of England and proclaim “Freedom Belongs to Hell”.  In America they raise their voices in the streets, breaching the democracy and saying that “Islam will bring you down and dominate soon”.   Despite all these clear evidences, the West is unbelievably indifferent towards the protection of it societies.  If we do not protect our societies from the spread and invasion of Islam, do we believe that Islamists will spare our civilization?  Didn’t they kill millions of middle-eastern non-Muslims, burning their books and libraries and demolishing their civilizations throughout history?  Is there any freedom in any of the sixty or so Islamic countries now?

Mohammed believed that no one had right to speak above his words (Q.33:36; 8:12-13). Do you believe that his followers would chase a western direction rather than his direction?   Do you believe that a branch cuts off its own root?  Islamists have learned from their history that they always rule if the society is kept in ignorance.  They have also learned from the Qur’an that terrorism (Q.8:59) creates fear; fear creates ignorance and silence; and the silence leads to denial.  They are certain that if the West goes like this, they will dominate.

The doctrine of Islam is profoundly foreign to westerners.  Even the leaders in the West welcome Islam to their societies.  They have lost sight of the uniqueness of Judeo-Christian values.  Islam, therefore, is called by them “a religion of peace”.  And these people are called the ‘head and brains’ of the West.

How many of these leaders in the West know how Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Jordan and Palestine and others became Islamic? How many of them know that the Qur’an states that “Muslims are better than others (Q.3:110)”, and all others have to be subject to Muslims (Q.9)?   Pluralism and political correctness have blinded many.  The only thing they have memorized is that no one has a right to criticize the hate that is being used by radical Muslims to spread Islam.  I am amazed at how these Western leaders call themselves the forerunners of leadership in the universe, but keep quiet about what is done to non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Iran and other Islamic countries.  Don’t they feel embarrassed in their relationship with Saudi Arabia where the least human right is ignored?  How do they clearly ignore the international and global reciprocity that they normally espouse?  How do they expect to be good in their relationship with Saudi Arabia and expect nothing back?  Why don’t they want to be treated fairly by Islamic countries?  Why do they want to be friend with someone who manipulates them and takes advantage of them?   Does a free person keep quiet against authoritarianism and injustice? Haven’t they learned any lesson from freedom in order to be able to teach the cruel Islamic countries?  This is what Islam desires; the infidels do not have rights to speak above Muslims and stand for their rights.

O God, wake the West up; remove the dark veil over the minds of leaders in the West so that they understand that they have been brought up to such positions in order to love their nations, more than their positions and incomes, and to protect them from freedom hunters.   O Heavenly Father, raise up many who love to live for freedom and are ready to sacrifice for it.

Daniel and Mary Shayesteh

(Editor’s note: Daniel and Mary are from Iran. Daniel was a teacher of Islamic philosophy, a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Army and a leading Muslim fundamentalist political leader during the Iranian Islamic Fundamentalist Revolution that began in 1979. He is now an evangelist for Jesus Christ.)

2. Latest news on Daniel and Mary’s ministry in Australia and the USA
      – August to October 2007

Australia
Aug 4, we had an Iraqi Christian family in our house in Sydney.  We talked about the suffering churches in Iraq and the family of the Christian martyrs in Turkey and our strategic approach to these nations.

Aug 5, I gave my testimony in the Arabic Christian Assembly in Revesby/Sydney.  There were two Muslims (one committed) who aimed to confuse people with their twisted words, but the presence of God was mighty in the church and astonished many. In the evening, I gave my testimony in the Greek Free Church in Kingsgrove/Sydney.  Greeks and Persians do not have a good history together.  Their emperors’ emphasis was land, but not heaven.  That’s why they were not friendly to each other.  Praise be to Jesus who established our minds and hearts on heaven and who has made many brothers and sisters to one another from out of Jews, Greeks, Persians and others.    Our testimony brought tears into the eyes of many in the Greek Free Church. 
 
USA
Aug 10, I flew from Sydney to Indianapolis in order to speak in the Eagle Church on Sunday, Aug 12.  In the Sunday morning, I gave my testimony.  This raised awareness amongst people and encouraged them to believe that the only way to protect the democracy in America is to love Jesus and lead the nation to the Freedom of Christ.  On Monday, Aug 13 I flew to Colorado Springs.

Aug 14 – Sep 14, I spent time with some of the C&MA leaders looking into the possibility of establishing EFD in America.  The C&MA has taken the step of faith to back us as long as the law in America permits us to establish a ministry.  In this month, I was also able to visit some Iranian Christians, and write to our friends in other countries.  I have answered the questions of many Christian ministers and workers in various countries about Islam and influential Christian evangelism. 
 
Sept 15, 16 - I visited the Bethlehem Lutheran church in Santa Clarita/CA.  I gave my testimony on both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.  People appreciated the messages, together with tears of joy.  They realized that America cannot be protected by any other beliefs, but by the Name of Christ.  Our Lord was glorified.  An ex-Muslim Iranian who heard me on Saturday evening, was touched and therefore brought his old parents to hear me in the Sunday service.

Sept 17 – Mary joined me in the USA to work alongside me throughout the rest of my time in the USA.

Sep 21-23 – We met the San Francisco Chinese Alliance.  On Friday evening, I spoke about the nature of gods in the world’s religions, including Islam, teaching that problems lie at the root of religions since their gods, including Allah are the creators of sin and evil.  This also helped the audience to discover the reasons for the superiority of Christ to all other gods and strengthened them to get involved in evangelism since Jesus in above all gods. On Saturday afternoon, I was with the young people.  I encouraged them to learn and with the knowledge of Christ to break the chain of New Age, Humanism, Atheism and all other religions, since these beliefs have targeted the younger people more than other age groups in the western countries.  On Saturday evening, I spoke about Christian apologetics, teaching the ways we can touch the hearts and consciences of people and lead them to Christ.  On Sunday, I gave my testimony to both the English and Mandarin speaking congregations.  The influence of these messages on the community was overwhelming and the leaders became interested in inviting me again.

Sep 27-30 - We met with State College/Ohio and also Penn University.  On Friday morning, I spoke to younger students in a C&MA Christian school in the State College.  On Friday evening, I spoke about our life story and the superiority of the life philosophy to about 500 students at Penn University.  The influence of the message was overwhelming, as the whole audience (more than half non-believers) stood and expressed their happiness with applause.  I still get emails of encouragement.  This is the university where Sheikh Khalid Yasin is in close contact with the Muslim students’ Association.  Sheikh Khalid is a Muslim evangelist, who was teaching Australian young Muslims to avoid friendship with non-Muslims and hate them.  On Saturday morning, I spoke in a Men’s breakfast about the differences between the cultural values of Christ and the world, encouraging men to find their leadership role in Christ and act accordingly.  On Saturday evening, I exposed the values of Islam and showed them the Qur’anic reasons for the followers of Islam to hate and fight others.  On Sunday morning, I gave my testimony in two morning services.  People were highly blessed and encouraged to have me back again, since the State College is a great mission field with 42000 university students from all over the world.  One Muslim student believed in Christ, and this brought a huge joy to all of us.

Oct 5-7 - We were in Willard/Ohio with the Willard Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.  On Friday evening, I spoke about the plan of Islam for America and the world.  On Saturday morning, I spoke about the history of American Islamic Associations since 1960s and about how they have been supported from the petro-dollars in order to destroy the Judeo-Christian values by building mosques and Islamic schools, by preparing terrorists, and also by supporting Al-Qaida and Hamas.  I showed them the newspaper articles that spoke about the involvements of these so-called moderate Muslim leaders in America.  I told Christians that America will not be able to survive unless the American Christians start loving Christ dearly.  On Sunday morning, I spoke about our life story.  On Sunday evening, I spoke about the way Christians need to respond to Islamic conspiracy.

Oct 14-15 - We were in Heartland Alliance Churches in Ohio.  On Sunday morning, I spoke about our life story in two sister churches.  The influence of the message was so great, and the people were amazed at how God changed the life of radical Muslims and now they love the nations.  The leaders expressed their willingness to have us back to the area again.

3. Newspaper article on Daniel from Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA – an example of the debate and conversations being generated around the world through Daniel’s testimony to Jesus.

Published: October 6, 2007 6:00 a.m. in ‘The Journal Gazette’
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710060390

2nd lecture added for ex-Muslim
By Rosa Salter Rodriguez

Because of an unexpectedly high demand for tickets, Fort Wayne’s Praise
Lutheran Church has added a second opportunity to hear a talk by Daniel
Shayesteh, a former radical Muslim from Iran who converted to Christianity.

Shayesteh will now speak at 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the church at 1115
W. Dupont Road.

The 2 p.m. talk was added after the church received many more requests than we could seat comfortably for Shayesteh’s 7 p.m. lecture, says
Chris Klopfenstein, church secretary.

We were just overwhelmed, Klopfenstein added, noting many requests
were for multiple tickets from Christian church groups, especially youth groups.

From many of the calls I took, people were (saying) God bless you,
thank you, for getting this information out to the public.

Shayesteh, 53, a former member of Hezbollah, the Iranian Revolutionary
Army, helped efforts to install the Islamic religious regime of
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeni and served in his government.

He has published a book and travels internationally speaking about his
conversion and what he considers the dangers of radical Islam.

Imam J. Tamir Rasheed of Al-Fatihah Dawah Center, 511 E. Leith St., and
Sabah Saud, director of the Fort Wayne Islamic Council, say reaction to
the upcoming visit has been muted in the areas Muslim community.

Both say they have not heard much talk about it and do not know of any
Muslims planning to attend the lectures, which both men consider part of a broader attack on Islam.

There are certain Christian leaders in this country who try to make
Islam an illegitimate faith or try to make it sound as if it is not a
religion that is revealed by God, Rasheed says. If people want to be
told the truth about Islam, they should consult a practicing Muslim. Why would you bring in a non-practicing Muslim to tell you about something he is opposed to?

The reason is quite simple, and that is to paint a distorted picture of
the true religion of Islam and to turn people away who would otherwise
develop some interest. It’s another means or method by which they strive to curtail the spread of Islam in this country.

Because Shayesteh converted, I would have to perhaps question his
understanding of Islam, because it sounds to me that perhaps his faith
would not have been as solid as it appears, Rasheed adds.

Saud, head of the Islamic Center of Fort Wayne, says he had not
previously heard of Shayesteh. “I don’t know of him or where he comes
from or what his agenda is”, he says.

“But the most popular thing right now is attacking Islam, and my
experience of people who attack Islam is they attack a model or a
government or a people rather than the actual doctrines of Islam. To
judge Islam, or Christianity or Judaism, you have to judge its doctrine, not the manifestations in a person or a government.”

Klopfenstein says the new time will open up an additional 600 seats,
some of which have already been reserved.

Tickets are free, she says, but they must be reserved in advance at
www.praiselc.org <http://www.praiselc.org> or by calling the church at
490-7729.

rsalter@jg.net <mailto:rsalter@jg.net>

4. Future opportunities for ministry
Daniel and Mary have 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.

Nov 07, USA
Dec 07, Sydney
Jan 08, USA
Feb-Mar 08, UK
April 08, S. America
May 08, USA
Jun-Jul 08, Australia and NZ

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 six 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 many millions have now heard Daniel through books, CD, DVD, radio, newspapers and television.

Praise the Lord for the many times now that Mary and Daniel have been able to travel together.

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 and Mary’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 and now Mary could speak and lecture across Australia and overseas. A donation to help them would be a blessing for them.

We thank God for groups 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.

6. 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.
Please make use of Daniel's books listed below and share them with your churches, bible colleges and friends.

'The Difference is the Son' compares the Qur'an and the Bible against the backdrop of Islam's early history and Islam's contemporary message. Daniel concludes that the difference between these two books in all dimensions of life is the 'Son' - our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the only source of eternal confidence.

"A Journey from 'gods' to Christ" (The title of this book in the USA is, “Christ above all gods”) looks at the nature of 'god', sin and salvation in all the world's major religions, while at the same time challenging the conscience (God given!) of every human being to search for the Truth.

'The Difference is the Son' - suggested donation $20 + $5 for postage
"A Journey from 'gods' to Christ" - suggested donation $15 + $5 for postage.
Daniel’s Testimony DVD- suggested donation $15 + $3 for postage. 
For contact details for ordering these books, please see the end of this email.

I close with the words of Jesus.
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37,38 (CEV)

Shalom! Michael York and Janet Shayesteh