A story
of persecution hits close to home
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[February 28, 2012]
Hundreds of students were spellbound by
the woman on stage. She told her story with a faint Arabic accent.
The narrative was dark and full of terrifying situations, but like
all the best stories, it has a happy ending.
Lincoln Christian University's biweekly, student-led worship service
featured Amani Mustafa as a special guest on Feb. 15. Mustafa is the host of "The Muslim Woman" TV broadcast, which airs
in Egypt and the Middle East. She shared her story of persecution
and survival with the LCU student body.
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Mustafa, a native of Egypt, grew up
in a Muslim household. Her mother converted to Christianity when
Mustafa was still a child. When it became too dangerous to live as a
Christian woman in Muslim-dominated Egypt, Mustafa's mother was
forced to flee to the United States. After finding, struggling and
eventually securing her own Christian faith, Mustafa followed 15
years later. For years, they lived in hiding in the U.S., fearing
retribution from their still-Muslim family.
In September 2011, Mustafa launched her TV show on the al-Hayat
network. "The Muslim Woman" reaches millions throughout the Arabic
world and appeals especially to women searching for answers to
spiritual questions.
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The Ministries Network website, a partner in producing the show,
expounds:
"That's the purpose
and goal of The Muslim Woman television show. With great
sensitivity and compassion, this weekly one-hour program reaches out
to Muslim women, as well as Muslim Background Believers, giving them
a forum to discuss many issues important in their lives."
This forum has been populated by phone calls and email of
viewers. Some write openly; others write under assumed names.
At the close of the service on Feb. 15, the LCU student body
responded by spending an hour in prayer for revelation of God's
calling on their lives and for boldness and strength to accomplish
it.
Christine Lee, spirituality chair, explains: "That night, through
her words and her story, she brought us to a place of authenticity,
called courage out of us and inspired us with her bravery."
LCU sophomore Blake Saathoff responded to Mustafa's story this
way: "We may not fully understand the persecution that takes place,
because of the religious freedom we have in the United States. That
makes it inspiring to hear a testimony from someone who is put in a
dangerous situation every time she speaks. Amani (Mustafa) has
encouraged me to boldly proclaim the Word of God."
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Lee said the topic of persecution has given the LCU student body
a new perspective.
"It was so good to see someone who is living the Gospel out and
to be reminded that all our stories are tied to His much bigger
story," she said.
Amani Mustafa is also featured in a new film, "Love Costs
Everything," produced by Christ In Youth in partnership with Voice
of the Martyrs. The documentary also features pastor, author and
evangelist Francis Chan, congressman Trent Franks and missionary
Ajai Lall.
Lincoln Christian University invites you a free screening of the
film in the Earl C Hargrove Chapel on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. "Love
Costs Everything" explores the persecution of Christians in the
modern world. Traveling from the jungles of Colombia to the war-torn
streets of Baghdad, it tells the real-life stories of Christians
standing firm in the face of death.
Mustafa's children, both LCU alumni, will attend this screening.
Following the film, the public is invited to a reception with these
special guests.
For more information regarding the film screening, email
events@lincolnchristian.edu or call Kim Turner at 217-732-3168,
ext. 2285.
[Text from file received from
Lincoln Christian University]
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