The effectiveness of the Christian evangelistic methods used by the Nile development services limited for winning Muslims to Christ in Arusha, Tanzania

Abstract

This study attempted to find out the effectiveness of Christian evangelistic methods used by NDSL to win Muslims to Christ in Arusha. The organization focuses on the preparation of servants of God to be self-supported in order to give care both spiritually and materially to the persecuted Muslims. This is done through friendly support, sponsoring income-generating projects and teaching. Ten NDSL leaders and ten members with Muslim background were the main sources of information for this study. Four research questions were designed to help them assess the effectiveness of the said methods; these were guided by the following four research questions: (1) what are the main methods that the NDSL has adopted in Muslim evangelism to achieve the aims and objectives of the organization? (2) to what extent are the adopted methods effective in winning Muslims to Christ? (3) what are the factors that influences or hinder Muslim conversion to Christ when using the adopted methods? (4) what are the best methods recommended by converts with Muslim back-grounds for winning Muslims to Christ? Results shows that all the methods adopted by NDSL are acceptable, but friendship evangelism, personal evangelism and evangelism through social services are highly favored. The gospel, love, knowledge and appreciation of the holy books remain the main factors of conversion. But again issues like finances, exclusion, persecutions and Muslims arrogance remain a drawback in the implementation of NDSL methods. Based on these findings, it becomes necessary for NDSL leadership to emphasize more on training, teaching and equipping members for social actions. Also, the leadership should mobilize the sister organizations for team work since the command to preach, teach and baptize people is mandatory to the universal Church.