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Swinging to the beat of congas in an African worship service, then donning dark outfits to speak at a Hutterite colony are all part of a typical week for radio producer Samir Youssef and his wife Lewiza. Since the fall of 1998, they've been racing to keep up with the demands for Arabic International Ministries. The Youssefs work jointly for MB Communications/Family Life Network and MBMS International.
Samir, a native Egyptian, preached at an all-African evangelical service March 12-14 at Calvary Temple in Winnipeg. Although many in the audience spoke Arabic, a Sudanese pastor translated the Arabic messages into English, the only common language among an audience coming from 13 African countries.
"Thirty-eight people made decisions [to accept Christ] at this crusade. I've just taught the first Bible study for new converts," said James Okot, pastor of the inter-denominational African church. "We're so encouraged."
For six weeks in April and May, the Youssefs will be in Sydney, Australia, where two radio stations air his "Good News" program for more than 700,000 Arabic-speaking people. (Arabic is the common language for Muslims all over the world because Islam requires its followers to read the Koran [Islam's holy book] and pray in Arabic.) In addition to speaking at public meetings and producing radio programs, Samir will tape 40 weekly television programs during his visit to Sydney. This is his second annual visit to Sydney for taping sessions.
The "Good News", a 15-minute gospel program produced in Winnipeg, airs in Europe as well as 17 countries (Australia, New Zealand, US, England, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait and Iraq). In response, 33 Muslims have written, asking for a copy of the Bible. Previously harsh opinions about Christianity have softened, demonstrated by letters that say: "Please count me as one of your friends."
Lewiza partners with Samir in producing an Arabic evangelical magazine. One letter from Europe reads: "I'm writing to you from behind bars. I'm a Muslim, but I read your magazine." He explained that he was given a Bible from a visitor who had converted to Christianity 15 years ago through Samir's ministry. Having taken a Christian name at conversion (a tradition of Muslim converts), the prisoner serving a life sentence was grateful to the Youssefs: "Now I have a new name. I call myself `Captive John'."
This summer, Samir plans to visit the Middle East. The Youssefs are members of North Kildonan MB Church in Winnipeg. They have two teenage sons.--MB Communications/Family Life Network, MBMSI release
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