 "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' |
April 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 |
'Searching for Truth
Together'
'Eternal Confidence is only found in Jesus Christ'
We send you Easter greetings! Jesus is Risen! ..... He is Risen indeed! We thank you for your
interest in and prayers for the ministry of Daniel and Mary Shayesteh
and ‘Exodus from Darkness’. Daniel and Mary’s middle-eastern cultural
and religious background has helped many of us to understand our faith
in Jesus and the uniqueness of our Lord in fresh and vibrant ways. We
have been helped through seeing things from a different Our lead article gives you news about Daniel’s tour, just completed, of the USA. Contents: 2. Upcoming Events – Australia, NZ and South Africa 3. Participating financially in the ministry of Daniel and Mary Shayesteh 4. Exodus from Darkness Prayer Requests 5. Daniel's Books (A web-based version of this e-newsletter is available at http://www.ministryblue.com/exodus.html) 1. Daniel’s testimony to Jesus beams joyful light into communities across America We all know that the nation of Iran has been much in the news since the election of President Ahmadinejad in June 2005. This heightened profile of Daniel’s country of birth was the backdrop for his two month journey from ‘West to East’ across America during February and March. America was ripe to hear Daniel’s story about Jesus! Daniel’s journey began in California (Rosamond and San Bernandino). He then moved onto Colorado (Denver and Colorado Springs), Indiana (Indianapolis), Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh and Erie), Wisconsin (Oconomowoc and Appleton), Ohio (Toledo) and New York (Nyack). Everywhere he went, people were asking ‘Is this for real? We are hearing a man who was a leader during the Iranian Islamic Fundamentalist Revolution, but he is talking to us boldly about the uniqueness, love and values of Jesus! What is the meaning of what he is saying? How does his message apply to us, our communities and the world?’ There was an enthusiastic response to Daniel’s testimony to Jesus and his teaching wherever he went. He spoke in churches, to youth groups, to home groups, women’s groups, in schools (both Christian and public, primary and secondary), to conferences, to Bible Colleges and church/missionary organisations. He spoke in universities including University of Biola in California and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and was interviewed on Christian and commercial radio and by newspapers. On many occasions people from different faiths were present to hear his testimony or to talk with him one-on-one. We joyfully share the news
that we are aware of a number of people, some from other faith
backgrounds, who became followers of Jesus as they saw and heard Jesus
lifted high. Dialogue was fostered between Christians and Muslims and
people of other faiths in many It is always very significant when Christians wake up to the wonder and uniqueness of Christ and this outcome is immensely strategic in terms of the purpose of ‘Exodus from Darkness’. Our prayer is that the good news of Jesus Christ will be shared assertively, lovingly and openly with Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths around the world. Daniel received great feedback from leaders and parents about the impact of his messages to young people. This reflected his emphasis on encouraging young people about the key role they have to play in God’s kingdom. During his time in America he spoke to 1000’s of young people and they were enthralled by the messages they heard from this ‘modern-day’ Apostle Paul. One of the schools that Daniel visited wrote the following about his visit. “Your message …..left an indelible mark on the students ……We are grateful for your willingness to obey the Lord’s call and share your story with us. He has certainly saved you for a purpose and a reason…….We have many chapel speakers throughout the course of the year and rarely do they have the impact that you have had. …Thank you.” When Daniel spoke in public places he encouraged people of all cultures and religions to read the ‘chapters’ of each others lives. He urged people to avoid a passive approach to multiculturalism unless they wanted to see Judeo-Christian and democratic values indiscriminately uprooted from their communities and nation. Many who heard this message were very interested in what he was saying and some came to listen to him when he spoke in local churches and at conferences. Daniel’s visit to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh was particularly significant. He shared his testimony on Campus and a number of students came in order to consider the relationship between Islam and Christ. This has encouraged a continuing conversation at this university between Christians and the Muslim student association. A special event for Daniel
was spending time at the CMA Headquarters in Colorado Springs,
Colorado. As many of you know, the CMA in Australia has been a great
support to Daniel in his international ministry to Muslims and
Christians. The CMA in the USA was equally supportive during his time
in America, opening up many opportunities for Daniel to speak in This trip has truly been a
wonderful expression of the ‘Great Commission’ that Jesus has given the
church. Thank you for your partnership and prayers that were all part
of this adventure of faith in Jesus. God our Father provided for Daniel
and his family’s needs while he was away and they celebrate with you
the joy of knowing Jesus and serving him together. Daniel has many opportunities in 2006 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. May 5-7: Missions weekend
at Aberfoyle Uniting Church, Adelaide, South Australia 3. An invitation – 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. 4. Exodus from Darkness Prayer Requests 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. Praise God for Daniel’s fruitful ministry in the USA in February and March. 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. 5. 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" 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 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 Shalom! Michael York |
