In my opening devotion at our Voters Meeting on Monday, I read part of a letter addressed to me from a fellow Christian in Traverse City. In it, he (a total stranger) asked questions about our Christian life and faith in Dearborn. His bible study group has been studying Islam and Shariah law, and wondered how much of an impact the large Muslim population in Dearborn has had upon the practice of our Christian faith: "Our understanding is that Islam has effectively taken over your city and that there are no Christians there", and upon our cultural life: "Are Muslims treated according to Shariah law or are they subject to US and Michigan law?".
Transparent and open questions from a brother in Christ, handled in a godly and direct manner. I applaud this man of God for taking the initative to approach the source more closely.
I have responded to his inquiries, and would like to share my response:
Dear Thomas,
I pray this note finds you rejoicing in the Lord...
I read with interest your note. Thank you for your candid comments and questions. I will endeavor to answer you with equal candor.
I'm pleased to report that (1200 member) Guardian Lutheran Church and School has been serving Jesus and our community since 1947. We have averaged 500+ people per week worshipping the Lord, every week for the past 50+ years. We have a Christian Day School that opened in 1959, and has ministered to roughly 200-300 students per year 8+ hours a day, five days a week, in this our school's 52nd academic year.
As a church in Dearborn, Michigan, we worship freely, witness regularly, and are uninhibited in our proclamation that Jesus is Lord of all!
As a congregation, we have been active in an organization called People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO), a ministry designed to share the gospel with Muslims. Although these efforts have not produced much fruit, the attempts to share our faith have been friendly, non-political, and non-threatening.
Within just the past few months...
On November 19, we hosted a Thanksgiving dinner to welcome our middle-eastern neighbors. Over 250 middle-eastern visitors attended and broke bread with us in our building. More importantly, they heard wonderful testimonies as to why we- as Christians- are so very thankful, above all else, for the gift of a Savior!
On December 10, we welcomed brothers and sisters from neighboring Christian congregations to gather at Guardian, then head out to sing Christmas carols to our Muslim neighbors door to door and street by street. We met at Guardian, prayed, went, sang, then returned for food, fellowship, and afterglow. Imagine over 200 Christians from a multitude of denominations singing "Joy to the World, the Lord has come!" This is an annual tradition at Guardian. Although there are those who won't come to their doors to hear the caroling (reluctant Muslims or shy Germans... we don't know!), we have not had any issues in our freedoms to share our faith.
Additionally, if you hadn't heard the news story this week, four Dearborn Heights Arab American football players at Star International Academy were charged with felony assault for their role in an end-of-the-game fight that left our quarterback at Lutheran High Westland (our affiliate high school) with a grade three concussion and bruised spleen. Although the attorney for the Muslim players is claiming racism against Arabs, the charges are sticking.
So, even in the area legal system, we have fair, free, and equal treatment according to US law.
As Senior Pastor in Dearborn (with 19 years of pastoral ministry), I have not had any experience with Shariah law, local or otherwise.
Hopefully, this answers your questions and assuages your concerns.
God's blessings to you and your ongoing ministries in Traverse City- such a beautiful part of the state!- and at (your congregation).
Sincerely Yours, Completely HIS,
Rev. Darryl L. Andrzejewski, Senior Pastor
Guardian Lutheran Church and School
24544 Cherry Hill
Dearborn, Michigan 48124
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