The South Asian Muslim population in America includes many immigrants and their families. This book analyzes the perceptions of Christianity held by South Asian Muslims in three areas: theological, sociocultural, and ethical (moral). It addresses both positive and negative perceptions of Christianity; although it mainly focuses on the misperceptions that give rise to conflicting views between Muslim and Christian.
The primary goal of this book is to consider how flawed perceptions hinder the effective communication of the Christian gospel in efforts to witness to Muslims in America. This book further explores the sociocultural and ethnic differences among South Asian Muslims and the ways in which their perceptions of Christianity differ.
More specifically, this book identifies the factors most likely to influence both positive and negative perceptions of Christianity among South Asian Muslims in America. This book also briefly explores the multi-faceted historical background of Islam in South Asia and the impact Islam has had on the assumptions and perceptions of Christianity of South Asian people in general, and specifically on the thinking and perceptions of South Asian Muslims in America.
This book includes qualitative research using an ethnographic case study approach. Data presented in this book are collected from two different sources: scholarly literature related to the focal group, and structured interviews with a representative sample of South Asian Muslims in America. The anticipated result is to provide useful information and insights so Christian practitioners can develop useful tools for building harmonious relationships with South Asian Muslims in America and effectively communicating the gospel to them.
South Asian Ministry in New England
Background:
With a clear vision from Isaiah 54:2 and calling from God, South Asian Ministry in New England was founded by a Pastor Paul Biswas while he was doing his post-graduate study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. This work was officially started in 2003 among the Bengali people group in Greater Boston. In 2004 five Bengali Christian families joined together and formed Boston Bangla Church in Cambridge. Boston Bangla church was the first church among Bengalis in New England. As the ministry expanded among other South Asian unreached people groups, in 2015 Boston Bangla Church changed its name to: International Community Church-Boston (ICC-BOSTON).
Our Vision:
Mobilizing local churches and South Asian Christians in New England to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ among South Asian unreached people groups in New England.
Our Mission Statement:
Plant missional and reproducing house churches among unreached people groups by making disciples, equipping them, and sending them out.
Demography:
South Asian population in New England: 250,000 + (The majority of these are Hindu and Muslim), 98% of them are unreached. The majority are from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
•Number of main religious groups: 7: (Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian, Jain. Among these religious groups there are many sub-sects)
•Number of South Asian people groups: 13: (Bengali, Tamil, Telegu, Guzrati, Malayali, Sindhi, Punjabi, Postun, Sinhales, Nepali, Bhutani, Naga, Rohinga)
•Number of unreached South Asian people groups: 8: (Bengali, Guzrati, Punjabi, Pashtun, Sinhales, Sindhi, Naga, Rohinga)
The Nature of our Work:
• Planting house churches
• Discipling and mentoring new believers
• Mobilizing local churches for partnership
• Equipping volunteers from local churches for outreach
• Organizing Interfaith Dialogue
• Partnering with the ministry in overseas (South Asia)
How local churches can be involved:
• Forming prayer groups
• Adopting an unreached people group
• Equipping volunteers to sponsor seminars and workshop
• Sponsoring Interfaith Dialogue and Intercultural meetings
• Participating in prayer walks
• Partnering and giving financial support
• Sending volunteers as intern both on short-term and long term basis
Plan for next five years:
• Planting 10 more house churches
• Organizing 10 outreach Bible study groups among seekers
• Mobilizing 10 more churches for partnership and support
• Equipping and mentoring volunteers from 10 established supporting churches
Contact Address:
Rev. Dr. Paul S. Biswas
Email: paul.biswas@gmail.com
www.paulbiswas.com