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Many Languages
"Namestei!" " Salam Aleikome!" "Buenos Dias!" "Did somebody say
hello?"
You are surrounded by 500
ethnic groups speaking over 600 languages!
1 out of 7 of your neighbors in America speaks a language other
than English at home. Would they understand the sermon at your local
church? Would an English pamphlet reach their hearts?
Language is not the only barrier to hearing about Jesus. Religion
is a big filter that makes it difficult. Sharing with them is not
like talking to a Bible-believing Baptist.
Many Religions
| In the USA There are
Approximately: |
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Cultists – 27 million
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Jews – 7 million
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Muslims – 6 million
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Native Americans – 2 million
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Hindus – 1,500,000
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Buddhists – 500,000
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Bahai's – 370,000
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Sikhs – 250,000
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| Total of non-Christian religionists –
16,100,000 |
| Total including nonreligious – 40,818,000
(10% of North America) |
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A simple statement of truth can be so easily misunderstood. What
might be the responses to your declaration of faith that "Jesus
is the Son of God"?
| The Hindu might say, "Yes, one of many!" |
The Buddhist, "But he had such bad karma he died
on a cross!" |
| The Muslim, "Blasphemy!" |
The nonreligious, "So what?!" |
So how do we learn the best ways to win these people to Christ?
Call The Experts, and Get Language-Specific
Literature.
The following people are happy to give you advice or send you materials.
Religious and Country Profiles: www.isionline.org
Arabic for those of Muslim background: Jerald Whitehouse,
Global Center for Adventist Muslim Relations, e-mail 102555.1163@compuserve.com
or (909) 824-4563. "Understanding the Heart of Islam" video
series and literature.
Arabic for people with some Christian background: Venice
Khoury, 10219 W Argent St., Pasco, WA 99301, (509) 545-0421. Arabic
Bibles, Steps to Christ, Daniel & Revelation studies,
etc.
Brazilian: www.advir.com.br
Chinese: Angela Shen, 113 Estaban Dr., Camarillo, CA 93010,
(805) 388-9700
Farsi (Persian): Kenneth Oster, (530) 637-4575
Hindu: Ramesh Jadhav, Southern Asia Division, Post Box 2,
HCF, Hosur 635110 Tamil Nadu, INDIA, phone 91 (4344) 22170 or fax
91 (4344) 22090.
Indonesian: E. Mangunsong, 12233 Stonewood Dr., Grand
Terrace, CA 92313
Islam: Jerald Whitehouse, Global Center for Adventist Muslim
Relations, e-mail 102555.1163@compuserve.com
or (909) 824-4563. "Understanding the Heart of Islam" video
series and literature.
Jehovah Witness: "God's Channel of Truth - Is it
the Watch Tower?" TEACH Services, 1-800-367-1998
Jewish: Richard Elofer, P.o. Box 592, 94186 Jerusalem,
ISRAEL, 972 (2) 6251 547 or fax 972 (2) 6251 319.
Khmer (Cambodian): Scott Griswold, griswold@loxinfo.co.th
Mormon: Leon Cornforth, "Meeting the Mormon Challenge
with Love," P.O. Box 428, Marsing, ID 83639
Secular: www.Biblehistory.com
Sikh: For general information about Sikhism go to www.sikhseek.com.
To talk with someone ministering to Sikh individuals and providing
a weekly television broadcast in Punjabi call the Yuba City Church
in California at (916) 673-3754.
Spanish: Two web-sites have links to many Hispanic ministries:
www.IASD.net and
www.pmministries.com.
Tagalog (Filipino): Estelita Atiga (805) 955-7652, e-mail
74617.3426@compuserve.com
or Vic Arreola (818) 890-9677.
Vietnamese: Isaiah Duong, (909) 351-4208, e-mail abhpradio@compuserve.com,
tapes for evangelism.
Other languages:
- Gloria Maguire at The Voice of Prophecy: (877) 955-2525 or email
74617.3246@compuserve.com.
- For Bible correspondent courses around the world contact the
General Conference at www.gc.adventist.org
and look under Personal Ministries.
- There is also a special series by Dr. George Atega in Chinese,
Indonesian, Tagalog, Ilacano and Somoan, (805) 497-9457.
- Bibles (in many languages): International Bible Society
1-800-524-1588 or www.IBSDirect.com
- Radio Programs: Download from Adventist World Radio at
www.awr.org
- Audio Bibles on the internet in Chinese, English,
Italian, Portuguese and Spanish: www.biblegospelcom.net/bg/bgaudio.html
- Videos: You can get the highly accurate Jesus video
in over 600 languages at www.multilanguage.com
- Tracts: If you can't find something in the language you're
looking for, you may want to find some basic Christian tracts
from a non-Seventh-day Adventist group: Multi-language Media,
717-738-0582 or www.multilanguage.com.
And for those who may speak the same language but have difficultly
hearing or seeing, you may want to contact one of the following
organizations:
Adventist Deaf Ministries: www.deafadventist.org.
They have a video series in sign language "Revelation of Jesus
Christ" as well as special books and sign language coloring
books.
Christian Record Services: For information about literature
in Braille, talking books (audio cassettes) and other ministries
for the blind. www.christianrecord.org
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