DEARBORN—
Arizona Pastor Steven Anderson’s visit on Friday, June 26, with members of the
Faithful Word Baptist Church, fell well under the radar.

The church
had used social media to announced that it would be coming to Dearborn in an
attempt to “save” Muslims by going door-to-door and grabbing their
attention with “Free Palestine” T-Shirts.

Anderson
claimed it was his duty to “save” the Muslim population because they
are “going to hell in a hand basket.”

The church
believe that God wants everyone to be saved. In the Phoenix area, the group has
dedicated numerous Saturdays to going door-to-door to preach their gospel to
locals. On the church’s website, the group claims to have saved many through
these grassroots efforts.

Despite a
widely shared and circulated YouTube video that announced his plans, Anderson’s
visit to Dearborn was practically non-existent. After members of the church met
at the Panera Bread in Allen Park, they traveled to Dearborn in a van and
knocked on doors of local homes, without any reported conflicts or tensions.

Mayor Jack
O’Reilly reached out to readers of The Arab American News prior to Anderson’s
visit, urging residents to treat the church with respect and allow its members
to express their rights. Local Muslim leaders also shared the same sentiments,
asking the community to display kindness towards the group, especially since
their visit fell during the holy month of Ramadan.

Dearborn
resident Patti Picard said members of the church visited her home and handed
her an Arabic translated DVD called “Marching to Zion.”

“They
are spreading what they believe is the truth,” Picard said. “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.”

Despite many
local residents expressing their thoughts on social media on the group’s failed
attempt at “saving” local Muslims, Anderson posted a message on
Facebook claiming that the group’s visit was a major 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.”

The visit
marks the latest in a string of Christian evangelists who have purposely
targeted the large Muslim population here in recent years, some more extreme
than others.

After
mounting tensions at the now defunct Arab International Festival between 2009
and 2012, the community seems to be unfazed with these missionary groups coming
into town, as evident by Anderson’s visit as well as unsuccessful bids by
controversial Quran burning Florida pastor Terry Jones.