The Stranger at Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church

By Joshua Sherif and Sarah Lew Tierney

A gripping tale of escape from Egypt, The Stranger at Our Shore is the true story of one young man’s journey out of Islam into new life in Christ. Through his remarkable testimony, Chicago pastor Joshua Sherif calls the Western Church to reconsider the plight of the modern day sojourners in our land—the strangers at our shore and the ones living right next door—and to return wholeheartedly to its first charge: making disciples. The book examines three ways believers harden their hearts towards the stranger and suggests three practical remedies to help us begin casting a wider net for discipleship in our communities. Though any reader will be captivated by the powerful story, any believer will walk away from this book feeling less intimidated and better equipped to disciple people who are different than them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9780802475473

Book preview

Praise for The Stranger at Our Shore

Masterfully integrating biblical analysis and his captivating personal story, The Stranger at Our Shore reads like a timely epistle to the American church, which Sherif credits with welcoming him as a foreigner and helping shape his faith in Christ, but which in some cases seems to have forgotten the biblical mandates to welcome strangers, to love one’s neighbors and even enemies, and to make disciples of all nations. I pray that we will take this biblically rooted challenge—and this powerful testimony—to heart.

MATTHEW SOERENS, US Director of Church Mobilization & Advocacy, World Relief; author and National Coordinator, Evangelical Immigration Table

God places immense value on the least valuable members of society—in fact, He sees them as the most crucial players in the spread of the gospel. Through The Stranger at our Shore, Josh Sherif poignantly lays out one of the most pressing issues that faces the current context of the church: How are you reaching the stranger next door? Through Josh’s personal story and his pastoral wisdom, this book is so helpful to mobilize the local church to act now, in your congregation, and in your neighborhood! I’ve had the privilege of ministering alongside of Josh and have seen firsthand his heart of integrity and his work at being someone who amplifies the voices of those on the fringes. I’m excited to use this book as a resource in my own ministry and church.

CHADWICK BACON, pastor, Chicago, IL

In an age of ever-increasing fear and overwhelming anxiety, this book is a balm. Josh Sherif has not only lived the story of the immigrant experiencing fear … but has also lived the story of the practitioner, pastoring one of our country’s most diverse neighborhoods for many years; he is the perfect person to help your church grow in empathy and better receive the immigrants, refugees, and many other strangers in our communities. As a professional in the field of psychology, I recommend this book as a powerful, practical tool to help anyone move past fear into a healthier mindset concerning people whom we find different or difficult.

NEALY BROWN, assistant dean, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Johnson University

© 2022 by JOSHUA SHERIF

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

All emphasis in Scripture has been added.

Names and details of some stories have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Edited by Amanda Cleary Eastep

Interior design: Brandi Davis

Cover design: Faceout Studio / Tim Green

Cover background of watercolor copyright © 2017 by xzgooglik / iStock (888097582).

Cover illustration of man’s face copyright © 2020 by shapesandcolors / Shutterstock (475502758).

Cover illustration of abstract art copyright © 2020 by TyC26 / Shutterstock (532683727).

Cover background of canvas texture copyright © 2020 by Abstractor / Shutterstock (580569982).

Cover illustration of woman’s face copyright © 2020 by arteria.lab / Shutterstock (1149843107).

All rights reserved for images listed above.

Photo of Sarah Lew Tierney: Gracie Tierney Photography

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Sherif, Joshua, author.

Title: The stranger at our shore : how immigrants and refugees strengthen the church / Joshua Sherif with Sarah Lew Tierney.

Description: Chicago : Moody Publishers, [2022] | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: A gripping tale of escape from Egypt, The Stranger at Our Shore is the true story of one young man’s journey out of radical Islam into new life in Christ. Through his remarkable testimony, Chicago pastor Joshua Sherif calls the Western Church to reconsider the plight of the modern day sojourners in our land--the strangers at our shore and the ones living right next door--and to return wholeheartedly to its first charge: making disciples-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022002126 (print) | LCCN 2022002127 (ebook) | ISBN 9780802424884 | ISBN 9780802475473 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Sherif, Joshua. | Christian converts from Islam--United States--Biography. | Emigration and immigration--Religious aspects--Christianity. | BISAC: RELIGION / Christian Living / Social Issues

Classification: LCC BV2626.4.S54 A3 2022 (print) | LCC BV2626.4.S54 (ebook) | DDC 248.2/46--dc23/eng/20220216

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022002126

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022002127

Originally delivered by fleets of horse-drawn wagons, the affordable paperbacks from D. L. Moody’s publishing house resourced the church and served everyday people. Now, after more than 125 years of publishing and ministry, Moody Publishers’ mission remains the same—even if our delivery systems have changed a bit. For more information on other books (and resources) created from a biblical perspective, go to www.moodypublishers.com or write to:

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To Mama Annette

who took our family’s first journey to Jesus and in whose footsteps we follow

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother …

2 Timothy 1:5a

To Baba Raouf

who showed us how to live like Jesus

CONTENTS

Introduction

Part 1 | Living in Hard Times: My Story

Chapter 1: Fear

Chapter 2: Out of Egypt—My History

Chapter 3: Fearless—My Testimony

Part 2 | Breaking Hard Hearts: Three Problems

Chapter 4: Inadequacy

Chapter 5: Ignorance

Chapter 6: Indignation

Part 3 | Taking Hard Steps: Three Solutions 

Chapter 7: Love—From Charity to Family

Chapter 8: Prayer—From Practice to Lifeline

Chapter 9: Blessing—From Comfort to Suffering

A Note … from Sarah Lew Tierney

Glossary of Terms

Friend,

Thank you for choosing to read this Moody Publishers title. It is our hope and prayer that this book will help you to know Jesus Christ more personally and love Him more deeply.

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Redeemed from the Sea

Behold, in the great city of God, the tents of Ham. Egypt, no longer drowned in the wake of God’s people, but rising baptized in the water to walk before them. For He will restore to them their land, and for every misery paid on them, a crown will be given. See her sons.

Her firstborn sons live again.

—J. Sherif

In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and He will rescue them. So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; He will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and He will respond to their pleas and heal them.

(Isa. 19:19–22)

INTRODUCTION

In these pages, the reader will find my story of escaping to the United States from Egypt and converting from Islam to following Jesus. This story is then followed by a time of teaching concerned with welcoming and discipling the many strangers in our own communities. I have been on both sides: I have been a stranger coming into this country and into this faith. And, for the last decade, I have also been a pastor and church planter in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the US, welcoming others into the country and the faith. Having both the perspective of the foreigner and the practitioner provides unique insight into issues facing the church today regarding the strangers in our communities.

There are three ways someone might respond to the content in this book:

1. Some will feel encouraged. You may walk away from this book with new growth and a positive affirmation of what you are currently doing to welcome others. You may feel grateful to have additional resources.

2. Some will feel challenged. You may walk away from this book with some serious conviction, feeling ready to explore an entirely new direction.

3. Some will feel rebuked. It is not my intention whatsoever to be heavy-handed with the church on this topic, but you might encounter the darkness of your own heart toward the stranger and recognize that you have been directly opposed to God’s plan—and feel the need to repent.

Regardless of which category you fall into, each reader will be faced with the choice to ignore or to follow their personal call to action.

CHAPTER 1

FEAR

If anyone thinks they have reason to be afraid of Muslims, I likely have more. I would be far within my rights to make this book into a story about the evils of Islam. It isn’t that kind of book, just so you know.

After I moved to America with my mother and younger sister, Joy, my mother became the target of an honor killing¹ that forced us into hiding for ten years. (Yes, honor killings happen in the United States too.) She had dishonored the family by converting to Christianity and leading her two children astray. The extended family’s plan was clear: kill her and bring Joy and me back to our home country, where we would once again practice Islam. Later on, because of