Thousands of Muslim refugees in Switzerland, Germany converting to Christianity amid disillusionment

Migrant children from Syria pose in front of a Protestant church in Oberhausen, Germany. Reuters

The love of Christ and hearing the truth of the Gospel are drawing more and more Muslim refugees in Switzerland and Germany to Christianity, the Gospel Herald reports.

Since 2014, more than 2,000 Muslims have turned to Christ, and the number keeps rising, according to Switzerland's Counselling Centre for Integration and Religious Affairs.

Speaking to the Swiss edition of "20 Minutes," coordinator Kathrin Anliker said some of the refugees embrace Christianity after witnessing the brutality of extremist groups like ISIS, which have been carrying out horrific acts in the name of Allah.

Others who have come out to embrace Christ were already Christians but who kept their faith a secret for fear of persecution, she said.

Philippe Dätwyler of the Reformed Church in Zurich also reported many conversions to Christianity in Switzerland's free evangelical churches, which runs services for Iranians and Afghans, led by an Iranian pastor.

In 2015, some 1.8 million asylum-seekers entered the European Union, fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, according to data from the European Union border agency Frontex. Around 1.1 million of these refugees came to Germany.

In June, The Guardian reported that a large number of Muslim refugees in Europe had converted to Christianity, with some churches conducting mass baptisms.

For instance, at Trinity church in the Berlin suburb of Steglitz, the congregation has grown from 150 two years ago to almost 700, swollen by Muslim converts, according to Pastor Gottfried Martens. Earlier this year, churches in Berlin and Hamburg reportedly held mass conversions for asylum seekers at municipal swimming pools.

RT, which conducted interviews with several converts, reported that "among the most popular reasons behind the conversion is faith in a new religion, triggered by 'lack of freedom' in Islam, and gratitude to Christians offering help to refugees fleeing war-torn countries."

"I've been spat on, told that I've betrayed Islam. But through what I've learned, I can forgive them," one man who was baptised a Christian told the news outlet in Hamburg.

"In Islam, we always lived in fear. Fear God, fear of sin, fear of punishment. However, Christ is a God of love," another Iranian refugee, Solmaz, told the German daily, according to RT.

related articles
Christian convert endures Egypt torture, including being fed to savage dogs — but God intervenes and tames the beasts
Christian convert endures Egypt torture, including being fed to savage dogs — but God intervenes and tames the beasts

Christian convert endures Egypt torture, including being fed to savage dogs — but God intervenes and tames the beasts

More Egyptians, Saudis becoming atheists after finding out what Islam really is, says Christian convert
More Egyptians, Saudis becoming atheists after finding out what Islam really is, says Christian convert

More Egyptians, Saudis becoming atheists after finding out what Islam really is, says Christian convert

Extremist ideology, not ISIS, is the problem; Christian persecution not new, says convert who witnessed prison \'miracle\'
Extremist ideology, not ISIS, is the problem; Christian persecution not new, says convert who witnessed prison 'miracle'

Extremist ideology, not ISIS, is the problem; Christian persecution not new, says convert who witnessed prison 'miracle'

Muslim children embrace Christ — only to be beaten up and cast out as \'infidels\' by their own families
Muslim children embrace Christ — only to be beaten up and cast out as 'infidels' by their own families

Muslim children embrace Christ — only to be beaten up and cast out as 'infidels' by their own families

Muslims turned believers feel Christ\'s presence in Lebanon as they minister to Syrian refugees
Muslims turned believers feel Christ's presence in Lebanon as they minister to Syrian refugees

Muslims turned believers feel Christ's presence in Lebanon as they minister to Syrian refugees

News
Catholic schools lead in workforce and student diversity - survey
Catholic schools lead in workforce and student diversity - survey

Catholic schools in England have emerged as the most ethnically diverse in the country, according to new figures released by the Catholic Education Service (CES).

Christian group slams BMA's 'highly irresponsible' call for adult-child sex reporting exemptions
Christian group slams BMA's 'highly irresponsible' call for adult-child sex reporting exemptions

The Christian Institute has hit out at the British Medical Association’s call to make doctors exempt from reporting ‘consensual’ adult-child sex.

Church leaders call for peace after days of violent unrest in Ballymena
Church leaders call for peace after days of violent unrest in Ballymena

Ballymena churchman says "righteous" anger about an alleged sexual assault on a local girl cannot be a cover for racism.

Was the spending review really 'promising'?
Was the spending review really 'promising'?

Church of England bishops have described the spending review as “promising”.