{"id":255,"date":"2012-07-15T11:15:36","date_gmt":"2012-07-15T09:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/web\/?p=255"},"modified":"2012-07-15T11:15:36","modified_gmt":"2012-07-15T09:15:36","slug":"yusuf-estes-former-christian-and-federal-prison-chaplain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/?p=255","title":{"rendered":"Yusuf Estes, Former Christian and Federal Prison Chaplain"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Yusuf Estes<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people ask me how a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam, especially considering all the negative things that we hear about Islam and Muslims everyday.\u00a0 Some people are simply curious, while others take a profound exception to my \u201cconversion\u201d to Islam.\u00a0 Some have asked how I could have turned my back on Jesus, or if I truly understood the Holy Ghost, and some even questioned whether or not I considered myself as \u201cborn again\u201d or had ever really been saved at all.\u00a0 These are good questions to which I will offer answers to at the end of this writing.\u00a0 I would like to thank everyone for their interest and offer my humble story, God Willing.<\/p>\n

One very nice Christian gentleman asked me in email why and how I left Christianity for Islam.\u00a0 This is more or less a copy of the letter I sent to him.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

My name is Yusuf Estes now, but in years past my friends used to call me Skip.\u00a0 I have preached Christianity and worked in the entertainment and music industry since I was a boy in the 1950\u2019s.\u00a0 My father and I have established music stores, TV and radio programs and outdoor entertainment for fun (and profit).\u00a0 I was a music minister and even used a pony ride and entertained the children as \u201cSkippy the Clown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once, I have served as Delegate to the United Nations Peace Conference for Religious Leaders.\u00a0 Now I am a retired former Muslim Chaplain for United States Bureau of Prisons, Washington, DC.\u00a0 and I join alongside many American Muslims, working with Muslim students and youth organizations as well as schools for Muslim children.\u00a0 As such, I travel around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam.\u00a0 We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere.\u00a0 Some of our work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons.\u00a0 Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are.\u00a0 Although Islam has grown now to nearly tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of \u201cPeace, Surrender and Obedience to God\u201d [Arabic = \u2018Islam\u2019]<\/p>\n

Dear me, I am afraid that I got a bit ahead of myself.\u00a0 I was trying to give a bit of background of our work perhaps to see if it would in anyway benefit those who may being going through what I experienced while trying to resolve some of the issues of Christianity.<\/p>\n

How It Happened<\/h2>\n

This may seem quite strange, while we perhaps may share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophethood, sin and salvation.\u00a0 But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as many folks are today.\u00a0 Really, I was.\u00a0 Let me explain.<\/p>\n

Born a Strong Christian<\/h2>\n

I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest.\u00a0 Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place.\u00a0 While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I\u2019m old).\u00a0 We attended church regularly, and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas.\u00a0 As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs.\u00a0 The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more.\u00a0 I developed quite a thirst for the \u201cGospel\u201d or as we say; \u201cGood News.\u201d My research into religion did not stop with Christianity.\u00a0 Not at all.\u00a0 Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies.\u00a0 Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was \u201cIslam\u201d.\u00a0 Why? Good question.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Music Minister<\/h2>\n

Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially Gospel and Classical.\u00a0 Because my whole family was religious and musical, it followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas.\u00a0 All this set me for the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated with over the years.\u00a0 I started teaching keyboard instruments in 1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called \u201cEstes Music Studios.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Business Projects in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida<\/h2>\n

Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business projects.\u00a0 We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions.\u00a0 We opened piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida.\u00a0 We had earned millions of dollars during those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan of salvation.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you have asked yourself the question; \u201cWhy did God create me?\u201d \u00a0or \u201cWhat is it that God wants me to do?\u201d \u00a0or \u201cExactly who is God, anyway?\u201d \u00a0\u201cWhy do we believe in \u2018original sin?\u201d and \u201cWhy would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his \u2018sins\u2019 and then as a result be punished forever.\u201d \u00a0But if you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a \u2018mystery\u2019 and you shouldn\u2019t ask – \u201cJust have faith, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trinity Concept<\/h2>\n

Strangely enough, the word \u201cTrinity\u201d is not in the Bible.\u00a0 And it has been a concern for religious scholars as early as 200 years after Jesus was raised up by Almighty God.\u00a0 I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how \u2018one\u2019 could figure out to become \u2018three\u2019 or how God Himself, Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people\u2019s sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people; keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the universe as we know it.\u00a0 They never seemed to be able to come up with anything other than opinions or strange analogies.<\/p>\n

Father – Ordained Non-Denominational Minister<\/h2>\n

My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church school programs.\u00a0 He became and ordained minister in the 1970s.\u00a0 He and his wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the \u201cPrayer Tower\u201d in Tulsa, Oklahoma.\u00a0 They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Baker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat Robertson.<\/p>\n

Distributing \u201cPraise\u201d Tapes for Jesus<\/h2>\n

During the early 1980\u2019s my Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in recording \u201cPraise\u201d tapes and distributing them for free to people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the elderly.\u00a0 We were really \u201cwinning souls to the Lord – for Jesus\u201d day after day.<\/p>\n

Met a Man from Egypt<\/h2>\n

It was early in 1991 when my father began doing business with a man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him.\u00a0 This idea appealed to me when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor.\u00a0 You know, the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that.<\/p>\n

He Was a \u201cMozlem\u201d<\/h2>\n

Hijackers; Kidnappers; Bombers, Terrorists – and who knows what else? \u00a0Then my father mentioned that this man was a \u2018Moslem.\u2019 First, I hated the idea of meeting an \u201cinfidel, hijacker, kidnapper, bomber, terrorist, non-believer.\u201d \u00a0Any normal person would be repulsed at the idea.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t believe my ears.\u00a0 A \u2018Moslem?\u2019\u00a0 No way! \u00a0I reminded my dad of the various different things that we had heard about these people.<\/p>\n

Lies Against Muslims & Islam – They Told Us, Muslims:<\/h2>\n

They don\u2019t even believe in God.\u00a0 They worship a black box in the desert.\u00a0 \u00a0And they kiss the ground five times a day.\u00a0 \u00a0No Way! \u00a0I Did Not Want to Meet Him! \u00a0I did not want to meet this \u2018Moslem\u2019 man.\u00a0 No way! \u00a0My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person.\u00a0 This was too much for me.\u00a0 Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and Islam very much.\u00a0 They even said things that were not true to make people afraid of Islam.\u00a0 So, why would I want anything to do with these people?<\/p>\n

Idea – \u201cChange Him to Christian\u201d<\/h2>\n

Then an idea came to me, \u201cWe can change this man to Christian.\u201d \u00a0So, I gave in and agreed to the meeting, but on my terms.\u00a0 Met Him With A Bible, Cross and Cap with \u201cJesus Is Lord!\u201d on it.\u00a0 I agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in good standing with the Lord.\u00a0 I would be carrying my Bible under my arm as usual.\u00a0 I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on my cap which says: \u201cJesus is Lord\u201d right across the front.\u00a0 My wife and two young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with the \u2018Moslems.\u2019<\/p>\n

Where Is He?<\/h2>\n

When I came into the shop and asked my father where the \u2018Moslem\u2019 was, he pointed and said: \u201cHe\u2019s right over there.\u201d \u00a0I was confused.\u00a0 That couldn\u2019t be the Moslem.\u00a0 No way.<\/p>\n

Turban & Beard?<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m looking for a huge man with flowing robes, a big turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all the way across his forehead with a sword or a bomb under his coat.<\/p>\n

No Turban – No Beard – [No Hair at All!]<\/h2>\n

This man had no beard.\u00a0 In fact, he didn\u2019t even have any hair on his head at all.\u00a0 He was nearly bald.\u00a0 Best of all, he was very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake.\u00a0 This didn\u2019t make sense.\u00a0 I thought they are terrorists and bombers.\u00a0 What is this all about?<\/p>\n

He Needs Jesus<\/h2>\n

Never mind.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get right to work on this guy.\u00a0 He needs to be \u2018saved\u2019 in the \u2018Name of Jesus\u2019, and me and the Lord are going to do it.<\/p>\n

Introduction & Interrogation<\/h2>\n

After a quick introduction, I asked him:<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you believe in God?\u201d<\/p>\n

He said:\u201cYes.\u201d – (Good!)<\/p>\n

Then I said: \u201cDo you believe in Adam and Eve?\u201d<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cYes.\u201d – (Very Good!)<\/p>\n

I said: \u201cWhat about Abraham? \u00a0You believe in him and how he tried to sacrifice his son for God?\u201d<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cYes.\u201d – (Even better!)<\/p>\n

Then I asked: \u201cWhat about Moses? \u00a0Ten Commandments?\u00a0 Parting the Red Sea?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again he said: \u201cYes.\u201d – (Better still!)<\/p>\n

Then: \u201cWhat about the other prophets, David, Solomon and John the Baptist?\u201d<\/p>\n

He said:<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d – (Great!)<\/p>\n

I asked: \u201cDo you believe in the Bible?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, he said: \u201cYes.\u201d – (OK!)<\/p>\n

So, now it was time for the big question: \u201cDo you believe in Jesus? \u00a0That he was the Messiah (Christ) of God?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again the said: \u201cYes.\u201d – (Fantastic!)<\/p>\n

Well now – This was going to be easier than I had thought. He was just about ready to be baptized, only he didn\u2019t know it. And I was just the one to do it, too.<\/p>\n

\n

Shocking Knowledge – Muslims Believe in the Bible?<\/h2>\n

One day in the Spring of 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in the Bible.\u00a0 I was shocked.\u00a0 How could this be? \u00a0But that\u2019s not all, they believe in Jesus as:<\/p>\n

* A true messenger of God;<\/p>\n

* Prophet of God;<\/p>\n

* Miracle birth without human intervention;<\/p>\n

* He was the \u2018Christ\u2019 or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;<\/p>\n

* He is with God now and most important;<\/p>\n

* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the \u2018Antichrist.\u2019<\/p>\n

After \u201cwinning souls to the Lord for Jesus\u201d day after day, this would be a big achievement for me, to catch one of these \u2018Moslems\u2019 and \u2018convert\u2019 him to Christianity.<\/p>\n

Cup of Tea – Discuss Beliefs<\/h2>\n

I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did.\u00a0 So off we went to a little shop in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs.\u00a0 While we sat in that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy.\u00a0 He listened attentively to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time.\u00a0 I liked this man\u2019s way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good Christian. – Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of my eyes.<\/p>\n

Agreed to Do Business<\/h2>\n

First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my business trips across the northern part of Texas.\u00a0 Day after day, we would ride together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people have.\u00a0 And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor individual.\u00a0 We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His Will to mankind.\u00a0 We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as well.<\/p>\n

Moved to Our Home<\/h2>\n

One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he had been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time.\u00a0 I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us.\u00a0 After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses, and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around.\u00a0 My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.<\/p>\n

Continued Ministry & Preaching<\/h2>\n

Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas.\u00a0 One of them lived on the Texas-Mexico border, and another lived near lived the Oklahoma border.\u00a0 One preacher liked to carry a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car.\u00a0 He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross.\u00a0 People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.<\/p>\n

Preacher Has Heart Attack<\/h2>\n

One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the Veteran\u2019s Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while.\u00a0 I used to visit him in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and religions.\u00a0 My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did not want to know anything about Islam.\u00a0 Then one day a man who was sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his wheelchair.\u00a0 I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn\u2019t matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the planet Jupiter.\u00a0 I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.<\/p>\n

Man in Wheelchair – Needed the Lord<\/h2>\n

I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life.\u00a0 So, I began to \u2018witness\u2019 to him about the Lord.\u00a0 I read to him out of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament.\u00a0 I shared the story of the prophet Jonah who had been sent by the Lord to call his people to the correct way.\u00a0 Jonah had left his people and escaped by boat to leave his city and head out to sea.\u00a0 A storm came up and the ship almost capsized and the people on board threw Jonah over the side of the ship.\u00a0 A whale came up to the surface and grabbed Jonah, swallowed him and then went down to the bottom of the sea, where he stayed for 3 days and 3 nights.\u00a0 Yet because of God\u2019s Mercy, He caused the whale to rise to the surface and then spit Jonah out to return back home safely to his city of Nineveh.\u00a0 And the idea was that we can\u2019t really run away from our problems because we always know what we have done.\u00a0 And what is more, God also always knows what we have done.<\/p>\n

Catholic Priest<\/h2>\n

After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and me and apologized.\u00a0 He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that he had experienced some real serious problems recently.\u00a0 Then he said that he wanted to confess something to me.\u00a0 And I said that I was not a Catholic priest and I don\u2019t handle confessions.\u00a0 He replied back to me that he knew that.\u00a0 In fact, he said: \u201cI am a Catholic priest.\u201d<\/p>\n

I was shocked.\u00a0 Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest.\u00a0 What in the world was happening here?<\/p>\n

Priest in Latin America<\/h2>\n

The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New York\u2019s Hell\u2019s Kitchen. \u00a0When he was released from the hospital he needed a place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us in the country along with our families and Mohamed.\u00a0 It was agreed by all that he would so, he moved out right away.<\/p>\n

Priests Must Study ISLAM? – YES!<\/h2>\n

During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the concepts of beliefs in Islam, and to my surprise he agreed and then shared even more about this with me.\u00a0 I was shocked when he told me that Catholic priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors degrees in this subject.\u00a0 This was all very enlightening to me.\u00a0 But there was still a lot more to come.<\/p>\n

Different Versions of the Bible<\/h2>\n

After settling in, we all began to gather around the kitchen table after dinner every night to discuss religion. \u00a0My father would bring his King James Version of the Bible, I would bring out my Revised Standard Version of the Bible, my wife had another version of the Bible (maybe something like Jimmy Swaggart\u2019s Good News for Modern Man. \u00a0The priest of course, had the Catholic Bible which has 7 more books in it that the Protestant Bible.\u00a0 So we spent more time talking about which Bible was the right one or the most correct one, than we did trying to convince Mohamed about becoming a Christian.<\/p>\n

Quran Has Only ONE Version – In Arabic – And Still Exists<\/h2>\n

At one point I recall asking him about the Quran and how many versions of it there were in the last 1,400 years.\u00a0 He told me that there was only ONE QURAN.\u00a0 And that it had never been changed.\u00a0 Yet he let me know that the Quran had been memorized by hundreds of thousands of people in its entirety, and were scattered about the earth in many different countries.\u00a0 Over the centuries since the Quran was revealed, millions have memorized it completely and have taught it to others who have memorized it completely, from cover to cover, letter perfect without mistakes.\u00a0 Today, over 9 million Muslims have memorized the entire Quran from cover to cover.<\/p>\n

How Could This Be?<\/h2>\n

This did not seem possible to me.\u00a0 After all, the original languages of the Bible have all been dead languages for centuries, and the documents themselves have been lost in their originals for hundreds and thousands of years.\u00a0 So, how could it be that something like this could be so easy to preserve and to recite from cover to cover.<\/p>\n

Priest Goes to the Mosque<\/h2>\n

Anyway, one day the priest asked the Mohamed if he might accompany him to the mosque to see what it was like there.\u00a0 They came back talking about their experience there and we could not wait to ask the priest what it was like and what all types of ceremonies they performed.\u00a0 He said they didn\u2019t really do anything.\u00a0 They just came and prayed and left.\u00a0 I said: They left? Without any speeches or singing?\u00a0 \u201cHe said that was right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Priest Enters Islam!<\/h2>\n

A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked Mohamed if he might join him again for a trip to the mosque which they did.\u00a0 But this time it was different.\u00a0 They did not come back for a very long time.\u00a0 It became dark and we worried that something might have happened to them.\u00a0 Finally they arrived and when they came in the door I immediately recognized Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him? Someone wearing a white robe and a white cap.\u00a0 Hold on a minute! \u00a0It was the priest.\u00a0 I said to him: Pete? — Did you become a \u2018Moslem?\u2019<\/p>\n

He said that he had entered into Islam that very day.\u00a0 THE PRIEST BECAME A MUSLIM!! \u00a0What next? (You\u2019ll see).<\/p>\n

\n

My Wife Announces Her Islam!<\/h2>\n

So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk to my wife about the whole subject.\u00a0 She then told me that she too was going to enter into Islam, because she knew it was the truth.<\/p>\n

Shocked!<\/h2>\n

I was really shocked now.\u00a0 I went downstairs and woke up Mohamed and asked him to come outside with me for a discussion.\u00a0 We walked and talked that whole night through.<\/p>\n

Truth Had Come!<\/h2>\n

By the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the Muslims) I knew that the truth had come at last and now it was up to me to do my part.\u00a0 I went out back behind my father\u2019s house and found an old piece of plywood lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.<\/p>\n

Guide Me! \u00a0O God! \u00a0Guide Me!<\/h2>\n

Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: \u201cO God.\u00a0 If you are there, guide me, guide me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sign Inside of Me<\/h2>\n

And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something.\u00a0 No, I didn\u2019t see birds or angels coming out of the sky, nor did I hear voices or music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes.\u00a0 What I did notice was a change inside of me.\u00a0 I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me to stop any lying and doing anything sneaky.\u00a0 It was time that I really work at being an honest and upright man.\u00a0 I knew now what I had to do.<\/p>\n

Wash Away the \u201cOLD\u201d<\/h2>\n

So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was \u2018washing\u2019 away the sinful old person that I had become over the years.\u00a0 And I was now coming into a new, fresh life.\u00a0 A life based on truth and proof.<\/p>\n

And Become New!<\/h2>\n

Around 11:00 A.M.\u00a0 that morning, I stood before two witnesses, one the ex-priest, formerly known as Father Peter Jacob\u2019s, and the other Mohamed Abel Rehman, and announced my \u2018shahadah\u2019 (open testimony to the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him).<\/p>\n

\u201cI bear witness, there is no deity to worship, except Almighty God, alone and He has no partners and I bear witness that Mohammad is His messenger and servant.\u201d<\/p>\n

My Wife Was Next<\/h2>\n

A few minutes later, my wife followed along and gave the same testimony.\u00a0 But hers was in front of 3 witnesses (me being the third).<\/p>\n

Then My Father<\/h2>\n

My father was a bit more reserved on the subject and waited a few more months before he made his shahadah (public testimony).\u00a0 But he did finally commit to Islam and began offering prayers right along with me and the other Muslims in the local masjid (mosque).<\/p>\n

Children Too!<\/h2>\n

The children were taken out of the Christian school and placed in Muslim schools.\u00a0 And now ten years later, they are memorizing much of the Quran and the teachings of Islam.<\/p>\n

Father\u2019s Wife (Stepmother) Next<\/h2>\n

My father\u2019s wife finally acknowledged, before she died, that Jesus could not be a son of God and that he must have been a mighty prophet of God, but not God.\u00a0 She passed away within a few months of this statement at age 86.\u00a0 May God accept her statement of faith, ameen.<\/p>\n

Houseful of New Muslims – What\u2019s next?<\/h2>\n

Now stop and think.\u00a0 A whole entire household of people from varying backgrounds and ethnic groups coming together in truth to learn how to know and worship the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.\u00a0 Think.\u00a0 A Catholic priest; a minister of music and preacher of the Gospel; an ordained minister and builder of Christian schools; and the children, even a great-grandmother – they all come into Islam!<\/p>\n

His Mercy and Guidance<\/h2>\n

Only by His Mercy were we all guided to see the real truth of Islam, by removing the coverings over our ears and the blinders on our eyes, no longer having seals over our hearts – He was Guiding us now.<\/p>\n

So, now you have the introduction to the story of my coming into Islam and becoming Muslim.\u00a0 There is more on the Internet about this story and there are more pictures there as well.\u00a0 Please take the time to visit it and then please take the time to email me, and let us come together to share in all truths based on proofs for understanding our origins and our purpose and goals in this life and the Next Life.<\/p>\n

Now since writing my story and publishing here on the internet many other websites have picked up this story and it had become a famous example of how \u201cPriest and Preachers Are Coming to Islam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, I thank you for visiting.\u00a0 And I thank our Christian friend for his email.\u00a0 If he hadn\u2019t sent it, I probably would still not have completed this task of putting down the story once and for all of how my family, friends and myself all came to Islam.<\/p>\n

Please feel free to share this story with others.\u00a0 You should print it out and make copies for everyone.\u00a0 Give them our links, add our story to your website or blog page, and send out emails to everyone you know.\u00a0 Maybe it could make a difference for others like us, God Willing.<\/p>\n

May God guide you on your journey to all truth.\u00a0 Ameen.\u00a0 And May He open your heart and your mind to the reality of this world and the purpose of this life, ameen.<\/p>\n

Peace to you and Guidance from God the One Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Yusuf Estes Many people ask me how a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam, especially considering all the negative things that we hear about Islam and Muslims everyday.\u00a0 Some...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[36,275,75],"class_list":["post-255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-new-muslim","tag-convertd","tag-new-muslim","tag-yusuf-estes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=255"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":257,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255\/revisions\/257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investigate-islam.com\/web\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}