1. 'You are determined to kill me - why?' - a message from Daniel and Mary Shayesteh
Does anyone have a sound solution for a hostile person or religion? Is any one other than Christ the solution? The biblical response is "No", and the Bible has a reason for it.

The purpose of Christ's revelation in reaching out to the nations was first to reconcile them to God (John 3:16; 2Cor.5:18) which is called "salvation", and the second was to reconcile them to each other (Col.1:20) which is called "peace". We see that spiritual newness is the base for political and social peace and tolerance; He (Christ) himself is our peace, who has made the two (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility (Eph.2:14).

The unifying mission of Christ is unique and perfect and no one or religion in the world is able to unite the nations with one another and with God as does Jesus.

He said to those who were determined to kill Him, "you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word....If you were Abraham's children, then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does....you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him" (John 8:37,39-41,44). But, if you give room to my words in your heart, I will set you free from killing and hostility, and then you will become the true children of Abraham; "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous" (1John 3:12).

For Jesus, only people who are strangers to God can be hostile toward others. His plan in coming to this world was to set people free of hatred, hostility and killing and to make them friendly to one another. We confess that we are his living examples who have been freed from hatred and hostility. The glory of freedom belongs to Him our Lord, but to no one else (Acts 4:12).

Blessings,

Daniel and Mary Shayesteh

2. Papua New Guinea (PNG) enthusiastically welcomes Pastor Daniel

"The receptiveness of the people was marvelous", said Daniel after his trip to PNG during March 19 to April 1. "Wherever we went, brother Dennis with his trumpet and Pastor Robert with his eschatological songs and words, we reminded all attendees about the second coming of our Lord. In many places we were greeted by long lines of people who were clapping, singing and and placing flowers around our necks. I really loved their simple and meaningful songs. Some people had walked for 12 hours to be present at one of the conferences where I spoke. People were deeply moved, often wailing loudly, as they heard about my former life in radical Islam and my new life in Christ".
 
Daniel saw quickly that many senior politicians, church leaders and pastors are concerned about the radical Islamic movement that is at work in PNG. The level of interest in his visit was so high that on his arrival in Port Moresby he took part in 2 hours of interviews on PNG national radio on a Christian program. This media exposure meant that Daniel was often greeted with 'I heard you on the radio' as he traveled to various places in PNG. We thank God our Father for opening up the door of PNG so wide for Daniel's message about the uniqueness and Lordship of Christ.

In the university some of the students were concerned about the increasing influence of radical Islam in PNG and news of Daniel's testimony and presence on campus spread like wild fire. The students who heard Daniel told their friends and tried to arrange extra meetings so they could hear him too. When this wasn't possible they took the initiative to personally share Daniel's testimony with groups of people who had missed out. 

Large numbers of people, as large as 1000 people on one occasion, heard Daniel speak two times in Mt Hagan. He was also interviewed by a Christian radio station broadcasting to thousands of highlanders in PNG. Later in places like Tari in the Southern Highlands Province, 150 church leaders and pastors gathered to listen. There was much crying and tears as people identified strongly with his message. They said,'Daniel at one time belonged to those that are against us but now Christ has changed him'.

Daniel was struck by both the beauty of PNG and the absence of infrastructure (e.g., roads) as we know it in Australia. Poverty and hardship are faced by many people. In the midst of this Muslim investors are making friends and helping to build Mosques around the country as part of their strategy to Islamise PNG. "Australian Christians need to think more about PNG." commented Daniel. "It would be a tragedy for PNG, with its rich Christian heritage, to be swallowed up by radical Islam." When you consider the process of Islamisation happening next door in West Papua, the threat is very real. "PNG is a country I would love to help" said Daniel with deep feeling. "There would always be important work to do as PNG grapples with the choice between Christianity and Islam. The challenge for us is finance particularly when the Islamists are so well funded."

Are Australian Christians able to act strategically in support of their PNG brothers and sisters in Christ? Will we support those who are living on the edge of freedom? What is God our Father saying to us? 

3. The 'Mosques and Miracles' Conferences reach out to SA, WA and NT and Daniel makes a special visit to Arnhem Land; April 3 - 23

Significant groups of people gathered in Adelaide, Perth and Darwin to take part in the 'Mosques and Miracles' Conferences. The speakers, of which Daniel was one, made people aware of the need to care for our country and of the dangers if we do nothing in response to the challenge of radical Islam. A highlight was when Daniel shared his testimony in Adelaide at a meeting open to the public. A Muslim who had been considering Christ with the help of a friend chose this night to make their response of faith in Christ. Daniel also talked with some Muslim background Christian believers that evening who identified so strongly with Daniel's testimony and were very moved emotionally. 

Our prayer is that the people who attended these conferences and those receiving this email will realise that a lot needs to be sacrificed to remove the dangers posed by radical Islam. The truth about Jesus is only discovered and lifted high when people are assertive and confident in their tolerance and willing to search for Truth with all their heart. Too often the values of economic security and comfort find a much higher place in our thinking, at the expense of knowing God, hearing his voice and making Him known.

Daniel also had a number of opportunities to minister in churches and other places during his journey through three states. In Adelaide he spoke in a church on the Sunday morning prior to the conference (Monday and Tuesday). After the conference in Perth (Thursday and Friday), he was invited to visit Kalgoolie and Donnybrook. Daniel visited several churches and spoke at a conference. He was very encouraged by the people there and their desire to have knowledge. On the following Wednesday morning, Daniel flew to Darwin for the conference being held in that city.

The final visit after the Darwin conference (Thursday and Friday) was to Gove N.T. where Daniel was hosted by folks from Missionary Aviation Fellowship. Daniel was initiated into northern territory life with a chance to try his hand at barramundi fishing. One of the fish he caught was a metre long! The aboriginal tribal elders (Northern Land Council) provided Daniel with permission to enter the aboriginal land of Arnhem Land. He was struck by the importance of this mission field for Australia.It is right on our doorstep but seems to have been forgotten by Australian churches. There are major opportunities for mission by Christian nurses, teachers and sports people etc. 

The situation is very challenging and the Christians in the communities need encouragement and help to shine for Jesus in their holiness and witness. Daniel spoke three times to people in Arnhem Land at their invitation. On one occasion he preached, on another he shared his testimony and finally he shared his story with school children. Much of the time Daniel felt like he was still in PNG, though the people in Arnhem Land were less open to the gospel than people in PNG. He was really struck by the size of the task in this place for the mission of Christ.

The gap and segregation between white and black people at the top end of Australia, even in the church, provides Islam with a big opportunity. Muslims have already established missions amongst the aborigines as part of their strategy of targeting 'non-whites' with Islam. They assert that Islam is a 'non-white' religion. It is easy for them to make progress because they are well funded and willing to spend that money for the sake of their mission. They are also buying and running businesses in the area and they are keen to spread Islam.

"If Muslims can go to the top end and into Arnhem Land with their message, so can Christians", remarked Daniel. The churches needs to be revived with 'revival Christianity' with a real focus on reaching out to the young people. A 'sporting ministry' strategy, as Daniel has seen used overseas amongst Iranian and Afghani refugees, would be one excellent way to do this. Lord Jesus, move by your Spirit within us to 'feed your sheep'.

4. Upcoming EFD Annual General Meeting - Saturday night 21st May

EFD's AGM is being held on Saturday night 21st May in north western Sydney. If you would like to join with us for this strategic time with Daniel and Mary, as we reflect on 2004/2005 and pray about the future, then please contact Michael York on michaeljyork@primusonline.com.au or 02 9896 5951 for more details. We pray for God's hand upon this time together.

5. 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.

Praise God for Daniel's recent visit to the Ruach Neighbourhood churches in Sydney. These churches have strong links with persecuted Christians in Indonesia and always appreciate the insights that Daniel is able to bring about radical Islam and the uniqueness of Christ. We also thank God for the opportunity for Daniel to teach for two weeks at YWAM Perth during May. 

Please pray for the provision of all Daniel and Mary's financial needs. They have sacrificed much to ensure Daniel could share his testimony across Australia and overseas. Daniel has been steadily paying off a large education fees debt, but he is now being asked to pay off that debt immediately. Please pray for a solution to this need. A donation or an interest free/low interest loan to cover the debt would be a blessing for them.

We are praying for a small group of people who can come together to back 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. Upcoming Events

May 21: EFD AGM in Sydney
May 24: Christian Business Men's Breakfast in Sydney
June 3 - 5: Visit to Orange
June 19: Visit to Hornsby Community Church
July: Visit to Tasmania being planned
Aug 12 - 14: Visit to Wagga Wagga
Aug 17 - 29: CMA Mission Weeks in Western Australia
Sept 7 - 12: CMA Mission Week in Victoria

7. Daniel's books

'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 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
"A Journey from 'gods' to Christ" - suggested donation $15 + $5 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