I know its ironic to have a blog post on a Christian web site trying to persuade you from using electronic media to communicate about outreach to Muslims. However, this is the best opportunity I have address a practice that is leading to the persecution of Christians in the United States, especially new converts from Islam. The practice is putting information about mission work among Muslims, especially prayer requests listing the names of converts, on electronic media.

This request comes straight from the North American mission field, from Christians who are working among Muslim immigrants and converts as well. They are telling me that Americans do not understand the price they pay for coming Christians. The cost often includes shunning by family members, the loss of jobs and at times homelessness. Its easy for those of us raised in America to think this is impossible. Who could lose a job for their religious beliefs in this day and age? The answer is people who do not know English, who are here on a Visa, live at the poverty level and work for a business owned by their own family or people group.

As Christians we love to celebrate what God is doing in our midst. Certainly seeing adults and children converted to the faith is worthy of celebration. However, we make it very difficult on converts who are trying to figure out how to approach their families about their new faith when we post our celebrations on-line. Lutherans often prefer pray chains or prayer lists as a form of receiving prayer petitions. I've seen at least three prayer requests for converts from Islam listing the convert by name this month alone. These converts are now at greater risk for persecution.

My request: stop listing by name North American Muslim converts to Christianity in electronic media, whether its the Internet or television. Instead pass the names from person to person verbally, whether in person or via the phone. Keep private prayer lists where these new brothers and sisters in the faith can receive intercessory petitions.