Our mission statement is “To help churches in the U.S. provide their Muslim neighbors with an opportunity to hear the Gospel.”
The philosophy of Bridges Option is that we do not want to see ministry restricted by lack of funds. We do not sell any of our material, but we do let you know what our costs are and we are happy if you can reimburse us. We make every effort to keep the costs at a minimum through negotiation, bulk purchase, and doing the work in-house. If you are not able to reimburse us for our full costs, that is fine if you are using the material for spreading the Gospel. If you are able to contribute more than our cost, that helps us provide materials to those with more limited funds.
Any of this material may be printed for your own use. Bulk copies can be obtained from The Bridges Option for a donation helping to cover costs and shipping. We can also personalize it with your own contact details.
Titles with ** have been recently added or updated.
Videos
** Telling the Christmas Story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrSjmlAlJA&t=12s
This is an unobtrusive way to present the Gospel in an engaging interactive manner. We have had groups ranging from children to PhD students excited about seeing this presentation. We staged this with friends so that you might see a simple pattern possible to follow.
** The Day of His Power http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7yPw0NZKM8
A sermon presenting the concept of the Day of His Power Outreach opportunity. The whole service is good, but my talk starts at 39 minutes. Also, look at our booklet ‘The Night of Power’ found below.
** The Call https://newlifemd.org/messages/the-call/
This traces how God called John and Karen into service, examines God’s work in the developing ministry of Paul and Barnabas, and challenges us all to think how God is preparing us for usefulness in His Kingdom. My talk begins at 33:20.
Booklets, Tracts, and Books
I recently wrote a little booklet for my grandchildren explaining death. I was challenged to make it appropriate for a larger audience, so after a lot of tweaking, I have come to something I am satisfied with. My goal was to use a simple analogy to diffuse the fear and anxiety children often have regarding death. Also, parents sometimes have a reluctance to or uncertainty about how to discuss the idea in a sensitive way. I hope this is simple enough to help even young children, but also deep enough to provoke good discussions with older ones. The bigger goal is to help them see that the Gospel is our biggest and only hope in the face of death.
Once I Was a Stranger, but Now I Am a Child of God This introduces the basis for our concern for hospitality.
Once I Was a Stranger, but Now I Am a Part of a Family Part Two develops the idea of hospitality as a vital part of our Christian experience.
Once I Was a Stranger, but Now I Can Reach Out to the Stranger in Our Society
Once I Was a Stranger, but Now I Know What I Can Do
Helpful Links
These are links to useful and interesting sites. The Bridges Option does not agree with or endorse everything contained in them.
To find Islamic Mosques and Organizations
Muslim Guide This seems to be very comprehensive as to the types of businesses, services, schools, etc. that it will list.
Salatomatic This locates mosques, prayer rooms, restaurants, and halal markets, by zip code or location.
Islamic Finder Lists locations, news, provides times of prayer
Zabihah “The original and world’s largest guide to Halal restaurants & markets”
Islamic Websites
Islamic Information A website featuring the work of Shabir Ally, one of the leading Muslim voices in interfaith dialogue
Answering Christianity This site makes an aggressive presentation against Christianity.
Christian Websites
Answering Islam A very comprehensive site addressing a wide range of topics
Debate.org.uk The Christian response to the Muslim debate
Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry A pretty balanced approach dealing with a wide range of topics. Islam issues are just one of the many useful sections.
Jesus for Muslims A useful ministry in the New York / North Jersey area
Crescent Project Crescent Project’s mission is to inspire, equip, and serve the church to reach Muslims with the Gospel of Christ for the Glory of God.
Horizons International Horizons International exists to communicate and demonstrate the love of Jesus so that the world, particularly the Muslim world, would be transformed by God’s love and forgiveness, by proclaiming the Gospel, discipling the nations, and equipping the church.
Prayer Challenges
Open Doors USA http://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/about/
Open Doors originated in 1955, when a young Dutchman started smuggling Bibles to the persecuted Christians in Communist Europe. He became known as Brother Andrew, and his work led to more than six decades of support for the persecuted church.
Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer This site provides short bios of known terrorists. There are also sections challenging us concerning prayer, even for those we fear or don’t like. This is one of the most important websites I know of, in that it powerfully challenges us to think about what we really believe about loving enemies and the power of prayer to change the most unlikely person.
Praying For Muslims This year-long prayer guide provides a weekly challenge, prayer, and appropriate Scripture promise.
Booklets for Christian Study
Presentations at Crescent Project Annual Conference 2016
- What Everyone Ought To Know About Reaching New Neighbors This is the manuscript of the presentation.
- Neighbors This is a PDF version of the slides for the above presentation.
- MBU Slides and Notes These are the slides and notes for “How To Be Invited to the Mosque To Present the Gospel.” (The actual PowerPoint presentations are available by contacting The Bridges Option.)
Other Presentations and Helpful Literature
Study Guide for DVD Series a study guide to be used with a 6-part DVD training series on meeting, developing relationships, and talking to Muslims about your faith
A Catechism for Children This is a simple but profound tool for teaching doctrine to children and new believers.
An Examination of the Fall and Its Effects This booklet contains the Muslim and Christian presentations made at an MBU on “The Fall of Adam and Its Effects on Mankind.”
Hijab & Halal — A Look Into Islamic Culture for Western Women This is the companion booklet to Karen’s seminar on relating to Muslim women in your community.
Can We Trust the New Testament? A study providing arguments for the trustworthiness of the New Testament, looking at canonicity and textual arguments.
Was the Injil Changed at Nicea and How Was the New Testament Canonized?
A Quick Reference for Common Questions When you are asked an important question but your response has to take less than a minute.
Discovery Lessons Bible study for use with new converts or serious seekers
A Christian’s Guide to Islam is a summary of Islamic doctrine that is useful to better understand your Muslim friends. This is not an exhaustive treatment of Islamic doctrine, nor will every Muslim believe exactly this way. Islam is a religion with great diversity.
How Can Jesus Be God and Man? – John Piper helps to understand this topic. This uses lots of Christian terms and concepts and is thus more useful for a believer.
Reaching Out to Your Muslim Friends Suggestions on how to develop a relationship where it is natural to talk about your faith.
Meetings for Better Understanding A guidebook on the hows and whys of organizing a “Meeting for Better Understanding”
The Bridges Option An introductory pamphlet on the ministry of The Bridges Option
What Is the Doctrine of the Trinity? John Piper gives instruction to Christians on understanding the Trinity.
Dating a Muslim This tract is for Christian young people and their parents, and brings perspectives on the dating issue.
Booklets for Study and Distribution
A Christian Perspective on the Character of God This is based on a talk by Pastor Tim Schmoyer at an MBU his church recently hosted
Tawhid the Oneness of God in 3 The unity and trinity of God
The Answer Is God This is the same text as the tract but in a format that is easier to study.
Idu ‘l-Azha and the Origins of Sacrifice The sacrifice of Abraham’s son and the Muslim celebration of Eid
God Has No Wife deals with some false views of the Trinity.
The History of the Quran and the Injil A short introduction to textual studies regarding the Quran and the Bible
Is Jesus God? addresses problems and objections raised by Muslims.
The Night of Power The most important night during Ramadan, when Muslims are hoping to hear from God
Should Muslims Read the Tawrat, Zabur, and the Injil? The Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospels — Not only does the Quran allow Muslims to read these, it encourages them.
What Does Christmas Mean to Christians?
Tracts
Thoughts About Refugees, Terrorists, and Other Threats to Our Way of Life!
The Angel Gabriel Brought Glad Tidings to Mary of a Holy Son Christmas theme
The Answer Is God Excellent tract for anyone who thinks Jesus never claimed to be God
Are the United States and Other Western Countries Christian? This is a good, quick-reading tract addressing a common misunderstanding and opening the way for dialog.
The Birth of Jesus in the Quran and the Bible Christmas theme
What Did Adam Do Wrong? deals with the issue of original sin.
Who is al Masih? What does it mean to say Jesus is the Messiah?
Books
30 Days of Prayer For the Muslim World http://30daysprayer.com This is an endeavor of Christians around the world to unite in prayer for the Muslim world during the month of Ramadan. It is new each year and provides daily insights into the situations in various countries, help with understanding the condition of Christians in Muslim countries, and instruction and resources to help you understand Islam and better minister to Muslim friends. In 2014, Bridges Option distributed 500 copies, and in 2015, we increased to 700 copies. Our goal for 2016 was 1,000 copies but the Lord enabled us to distribute 1,800 copies. By buying these in bulk and distributing them to churches, we can offer them at a significantly lower price than the church would receive if they ordered them directly from the publisher. Because of travel commitments, we were unable to provide this service in 2017. In 2018, we were able to provide 2,007 prayer guides to churches and individuals. In 2019, we were able to distribute 2,000 copies again. Because of health issues, in 2020 we decided not to do a bulk orders anymore. Digital and print copies are available through this website.
Engaging Islam Georges Houssney, the director of Horizons, has written an excellent book to guide Christians on how to intelligently and lovingly approach Muslim contacts with the Gospel. We no longer stock this, but I highly recommend it.
Ready Always is a collection of The Bridges Option booklets and tracts, as well as previously unpublished writings of John Elias. This 250-page book costs $12.50 to produce.