Evangelical group seeks conversions of US Muslims

John Marion says you don't need to go to a foreign country to evangelize Muslims. In fact, Marion says there is plenty of work right in the US.

Marion is the project director of Truth For Muslims, an evangelical Christian group that believes Texas is a ripe territory to spread its message. Founded in 2004, Truth For Muslims is part of Spear Ministries, a nonprofit organization that says it's dedicated to proclaiming the gospel to "Hindu, Muslim, Pagan and other people groups."

On his website, Marion writes that "Islam means submission. The word Muslim refers to one who submits. This submission is focused entirely on Mohammed and the ideology he created." Elsewhere he notes that "the further one gets away from Islam the better it is for freedom and democracy and religious tolerance."

From his Virginia office near Washington, DC, Marion says, "During the past 1400 years there has been no greater challenge to the Christian gospel than Islam." "We're meeting the challenge of Islam through evangelism, teaching, and public speaking," Marion says.

"A lot of people in Texas have told us they believe in our message. We will mail our letters to Christians throughout the state." He adds, "Christians in Texas have told us they like our message."

Truth For Muslims has mailed literature to 50,000 households, and claims its purpose is to bring "a comprehensive, biblical response to Islam in America". Marion says that those working with him are committed to praying for Muslims and evangelizing them with the message of Christ. He says that over 2,500 people have signed up to receive regular information from Truth For Muslims through the mail.

The current Truth For Muslims newsletter publishes Marion's "18 Truths About Reaching Muslims in America With the Gospel,"  and which includes such statements as: "The clear commands of Christ compel us to bring the gospel to Muslims, whatever the cost," and "We are bringing the message of Christ to those who are spiritually dead."

Marion says he was a missionary in Afghanistan in the 1990's where he learned to speak the Dari language. Later, he established the Center of Peace and Hope in Christ for Afghanistan in 1999. But since September 11, Marion says he has turned his attention to helping Christians meet the challenge of Islam in America.

"There are a lot of evangelicals in Texas who can be mobilized to bring the gospel to Muslims in America and who can teach others about the gospel," Marion says.

"The gospel is so different from the teachings of Mohammed, but not everyone understands how big the difference is between the two. I'm looking for more Christians in Texas to help me get the message out to people across the country," he says.