Christian-Muslim Relations Mission Toolkit

Christians are called by God to live out the great commandment to “love God” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-40). Presbyterians seek to live in fellowship with people of all faiths, striving for understanding and learning to work together to create positive change in our world.
Who’s this toolkit for?
This toolkit provides resources for PC(USA) congregations interested in engaging with their Muslim neighbors. Church leaders — including pastors, mission and outreach committees, sessions, youth group leaders, and Christian education teachers — will find resources to better understand, connect with and advocate for our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Why engage in Christian-Muslim interfaith relations?
Fuller understanding. In Christian-Muslim relationships in our time, it is clear in new ways that, as human beings, we often fail one another. Muslims and Christians fail to understand one another, and often do not make the effort to do so. Commanded by our faith to love our neighbors as ourselves, and committed to do all in our power to do so, Presbyterians seek fuller understanding of Islam, relationships with Muslim communities, and discernment of what God requires of us in Christian-Muslim relations.[1]
Deeper discipleship. God calls us to deeper relationships with people of other faiths. As Christians learn about and relate with Muslims, we not only learn more about the multitude of diverse cultures, contexts and expressions of faith of Muslims, but we are compelled to walk a path of deeper understanding of Christian faith. We are also better equipped to engage in faithful, humble and respectful Christian witness.
[1] “Toward an Understanding of Christian-Muslim Relations,” 219th General Assembly (2010).
Mission co-workers serving in Muslim majority contexts
Mission co-workers are “bridges to the world” for Presbyterians in the U.S. Learn more from those serving in Muslim-majority contexts and invite them to visit your congregation.
- Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta — Read about the Farsijana's ministry in Indonesia.
- Elmarie Parker — Read about the Elmarie's ministry in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq
- Joshua Heikkila — Read about Josh's ministry in Ghana.
Related Mission/Partnership Networks
A mission or partnership network is a collegial partnership between various PC(USA) entities, governing bodies and associations working together around a specific region, people group or program area of international mission.
- Egypt Partnership Network; contact: Alfred Graise
- Iraq Partnership Network; contact: Joanne Sizoo
- Israel/Palestine Mission Network; contact: Rev. John Anderson and Rev. Marietta Macy
- Syria/Lebanon Partnership Network; contact Tim McCalmont
- Niger Mission Network; contact Don Dawson or Greg Cohen
Act locally
- Connect with a local mosque or Islamic center. Visit the Hartford Institute for Religion Research online database of Masjids, Mosques and Islamic Centers in the U.S. to search by your state.
- Create a small interfaith group. For details on how to begin one, see “Communities of Reconciliation: An Interfaith Small Group Journey to Encourage & Facilitate Understanding, Friendship, Peace and Reconciliation”
- Invite a mission co-worker serving in a Muslim-majority context to speak at your church. Contact Stephanie Caudill (stephanie.caudill@pcusa.org) to find out when one of the mission co-workers will be traveling to the U.S.
- Host an Iftar dinner for your Muslim neighbors.
- Hold a Daughters of Abraham Women’s Interfaith Book Club. The website provides suggested book lists as well as guiding principles and ground rules.
- Hold adult educational sessions about Islam at your church to help members better understand their Muslim neighbors. The Thoughtful Christian has several adult studies related to the topic of Christian-Muslim interfaith relations.
Act globally
- Engage with mission co-workers serving in Muslim-majority contexts:
- Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta in Indonesia
- Elmarie Parker in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq
- Joshua Heikkila in West Africa
Advocate
- PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness is an official member of the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, which stands with American Muslims and upholds American values. The website lists several events and initiatives you and/or your congregation can join to advocate for your Muslim neighbors.
- Holy Discontentment: Lifting Your Voice for Effective Advocacy. This resource outlines the tools in the advocate’s toolbox, discusses their effectiveness and gives suggestions on truly effective advocacy strategies. The resource also has a newly updated section on using social media as an advocacy tool!
Give
- Support mission co-workers serving in Muslim-majority contexts:
- Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta in Indonesia
- Elmarie Parker in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq
- Joshua Heikkila in West Africa
- Give to Mission Personnel Support, E132192
- Gifts from individuals, combined with Basic Mission Support funds from congregations, enable Presbyterian mission personnel to work in approximately 80 countries. Your financial gift is an important part of our global work of walking in partnership with our siblings in countries all across the globe.
- Give to Special Opportunities in World Mission, E864015. Special funds are needed to increase our response to world mission needs in the areas of evangelism, health, development and other ministries. Overseas mission work is often inhibited because of unpredictable funding patterns. This ECO will provide the means to better respond to the needs of Christian churches around the world as they seek to spread the good news.
To give by mail, please write the ECO number in the memo line and mail the check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Contact Us
Ellen Sherby
Associate Director, Global Connections
ellen.sherby@pcusa.org
Stephanie Caudill
Associate for Resources and Promotions
stephanie.caudill@pcusa.org