by a Pioneer in Southeast Asia

What would you say if you met a terrorist?

Would you rebuke him and tell him to stop his evil deeds!? Would you defend American foreign policy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Would you share the Four Spiritual Laws with him?

Have you ever thought about it?

Actually, I’ve thought about it for years, because I figured one day I’d meet one. Little did I know that he’d be among the most renown and feared terrorists in my host country today. Wanted by the governments of several countries, this man was temporarily imprisoned but later set free due to “insufficient evidence.” Now he is free to continue his preaching and teaching, running an Islamic boarding school with thousands of students here.

I was coming back from a recent trip and there he was on my flight, sitting right on the aisle with a bodyguard on his left. I recognized him from the TV news and asked him if he was who I thought he was. He extended his hand. “Yes, I am,” he said, “and who are you?” The next thing I knew I was shaking the hand of a terrorist and telling him I was “an American who loves Muslims.” The force of the others wanting to board the plane urged me forward so I had to go and find my seat. I sat down shocked and amazed. Had that just happened?! At least I figured I was safe from terrorist attack on this flight!

I found him again at the baggage claim. Several Muslim men came up to him to shake hands and say “peace be upon you,” but fortunately for me, none of them were brave enough to stand and actually talk to this revered man. Thus I had opportunity to keep talking for at least five minutes while we awaited our baggage. It was just like talking to any of the thousands of other Muslims I’ve talked to in this country, but it was surreal in that this man is considered a terrorist. Was he? Is he? The thought kept running through my head as I asked about his school, his travels and his life.

I praise God for this incredible opportunity to witness to a renown Muslim scholar and alleged terrorist. No, I did not share a gospel presentation (like the Four Laws), but I did clearly tell him that I’ve read his holy book twice and yet remain a committed follower of Jesus. And I told him that I don’t know about all the political-military issues of this world today, but I do know that “he who lives by the sword will die by the sword.” (His bodyguard didn’t like that part very much!) And I told him that though I was American, I love Muslims—something I was also hoping was demonstrated by talking to him kindly and peacefully, though he should be considered my enemy (Matthew 5:15). He ended up inviting me to come teach English at his school!

Did God himself arrange that I met this man that day? Or did the devil intend it so that this terrorist could find out about us? We’ll probably never know the answers to these questions, but we do know that God loves the world (John 3:16)—and that includes this man.

Would you pray for this man now…and pray against any terror activities he may be involved in? Use 1 Timothy 2:1-6 as a guide.