Breaking Down Walls of Darkness
by Sheryl Young

Transplanted to America by himself at age 17, Pastor Solomon Nazzal knew the task God was setting before him. Raised by Christian parents in Beirut, Lebanon, he felt called to help Arab-American people learn about their true Messiah. He is now Pastor of San Bernardino Arabic Free Methodist Church (CA).
“I remember exactly when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It was Sunday, April 12, 1970, at 8:30 p.m.!” he recalls. “Seven years later, my parents went home to the Lord — killed during the fighting” (Lebanese Civil War).

Q:What brought you to America?
A:I came in 1978 to further my education, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from
California Baptist College in Riverside, and recently received my Master of Arts in pastoral studies at Azusa Pacific University.

Q:How did you begin ministering to people of Arabic descent?
A:The Lord first used me to start an Arabic-speaking youth ministry, then a church in Riverside with four people, that quickly grew to 100. By 1988, many members were coming from San Bernardino, so my beautiful wife Maha and I came here to plant a sister church. Now there are over 200 people every Sunday, coming from 50 miles around, as it is the area’s only Arabic-speaking church. We have been sharing property with San Bernardino FMC, and it’s been a blessing!

Q:Do people come as Christians, or are they seekers?
A:Some are Christians looking for a church home. Others are what I call “Christians by nature” — considering themselves Christian but never having really accepted the Lord. About one-fourth come to Jesus from the Muslim faith. Please understand, not all Arabs are Muslims. Only 25 percent of Muslims are Arabic people! Most of our members are American citizens who truly love and pray for America, for our home countries [Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Syria are all represented] and for eyes everywhere to open to the Lord.

Q:How do you draw people in?
A:Mostly word-of-mouth. People fall in love with the church; they feel loved — not treated like immigrants — so they bring others. Everyone is regarded on level ground. We’re all nothing without Jesus! We go out to the local farmer’s market and have a CD outreach in 25 languages.

Q:How can non-Arabic Christians be shining witnesses to those of Muslim faith?
A:Any Christian can witness to Muslims, just like to anyone else. But we must try to put ourselves in their shoes, like Jesus did with the Samaritan woman; relate to what they’re going through, where they’ve come from. There is nothing called “love” in Islam. The people pray five times a day with other rituals, but have no assurance of eternal salvation. Their religion allows fleshliness, with an eye-for-an-eye mentality. If you show them true love, God’s agapé love, you will open their hearts.

Q:Tell us a little about your own family.
A:Maha and I had our 25th wedding anniversary in October! We have two children, Deanna (married) and Danny who will graduate high school soon. We are all involved in the ministry.

Q:How can we pray for your church?
A:We’ve bought our own property near Cal State University! Please pray for building provisions, for the challenges ahead, but most of all for the Lord to break down walls of darkness in Muslim and Christian communities. Give glory to God, and boast only in Him!

More of our interview with Pastor Nazzal
of San Bernardino Arabic FMC

Q:Is Christianity acceptable in Lebanon, and are the “cedars of Lebanon” (mentioned in the Bible) still so beautiful?
A:Christianity was well recognized in Lebanon then, and is still relatively accepted today. It’s a very beautiful country, nature-wise. But the people have changed.

Q:Tell us one experience of helping someone find the Lord that stands out for you.

A:We met a man who had never heard about Christ. His sister was dying, and I visited her. After she died, the man said no one else had been to see her. He began attending our church, and found Jesus!

Pastor Nazzal has one brother in the United States and several siblings still living in Syria and Lebanon.