Arizona Pastor Steven Anderson recently visited the town of Dearborn, Michigan with the intention of "saving" Muslims who he believes are "going to hell in a hand basket." Anderson announced his June 26 visit to Dearborn, which more than 40,000 Arabs call home, in a YouTube video early last month. In it, he describes the "March to Dearborn" as a "soul-winning marathon," with the video description describing that Faithful Word Baptist Church's goal for the event was to "speak the truth in love and win people to Christ door-to-door."
The event indeed took place but, according to Arab American News, barely anyone participated. The site, which reached out to Dearborn residents, said the "March" was "practically non-existent."
"They are spreading what they believe is the truth," Dearborn resident Patti Picard told Arab American News. "At our house we greet people with the same respect we would want when talking to people about Islam. Because even a conservative Christian can find Islam. I should know, I was one."
After meeting at a Panera Bread in a nearby town, Anderson and his followers went door-to-door in Dearborn, handing out copies of a DVD called "Marching to Zion," translated into Arabic. The title imprinted in Arabic on the actual discs, however, translates in English to "The Jews and Their Lies," according to Google Translate.
No confrontations were reported during the Dearborn, Michigan, June event. Before Anderson came to town, Dearborn's Mayor, Jack O'Reilly, and local Muslim leaders reached out to the community, asking residents to allow the Faithful Word Baptist Church to exercise its right to freedom of speech – peacefully. The event took place during the Muslin holy time of Ramadan.
Despite reports the march was a failure, Anderson took to the group's Facebook page and described it as a "success."
"Marching to Dearborn was a huge success," Anderson said. "46 people saved, and 7 baptized. We also handed out over 1400 copies of the Arabic version of 'Marching to Zion. Thanks to everyone who showed up. It was great to meet so many new people who love the Lord and love soul-winning."
This is not the first time Dearborn residents have been experienced Christian evangelical initiatives. At this point they are "unfazed" by similar "missionary groups" that hope to convert people, reports Arab American News.
