I agree with Dr. Valenta's Dec. 4 commentary on welcoming Syrian refugees.
The refugees are fleeing evil and are searching for something else. This is a perfect opportunity for Christians to show the love of Jesus to these poor people. They are coming to us. It reminds me of John 4:34, when Jesus sees the crowd coming to Him and He tells His disciples "the fields are ripe for harvest." We have a chance to "reap" a harvest.
These refugees have probably heard of Jesus. But the Jesus of the Koran is not the Savior who died on the cross for the sins of the world and defeated death with His resurrection. In Islam, Jesus was not the Son of God.
I realize this is tricky and we must use caution, but with gentleness and love (1 Peter 3:15) we have a responsibility to tell them about the true Jesus. I have had the opportunity to evangelize Muslim friends, so I know that love is the most important approach – not fake love, but genuine love. It should be our desire for them to meet the real Jesus.
I welcome these people. I want them to experience the love of Christ. I would welcome a family of Muslim refugees into my home – not to preach to them, but to love them. If we love them we will soon tell them why we love them: because "He first loved us."
— Steve DeBord attends Good Shepherd Mission in King.