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

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 ones neighbors and even enemies, and to make disciples of all nations. I pray that we will take this biblically rooted challengeand this powerful testimonyto 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 societyin 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 Joshs 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! Ive 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. Im 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 countrys 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 mans 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 womans 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 mans 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

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2 Timothy 1:5a

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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 Gods 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.