Share Sahara Challenge!
Engaging, in-depth training in ministry to Muslims, led by experienced leaders and Muslim-background believers.
Live In-Person conference, with dynamic lectures and interactive breakout sessions
Gain real-world insight from ministry practitioners and Muslim-background believers
Explore the history, beliefs, and culture of Islam, and equip yourself and your ministry team to engage Muslims in your neighborhood and around the world.
Included in the Sahara Challenge LIVE In-Person events:
Fast & engaging 15-minute talks
Real-world Insight from ministry practitioners and Muslim-background believers
18 hours of lecture
4 hours of breakouts, chosen by attendees
429 pages of resources in eBook format ($69 value)
Live interaction in-person or in the virtual lobby
Become a sponsor!
Partner with Crescent Project as we train Christians to engage with Muslims!
Learn more about sponsoring our LIVE In-Person Sahara Challenge.
Sahara Challenge coursework includes a mixture of instruction and practical application taught by former Muslims and experts in Islam and Muslim culture.
Participants are required to read a set of preparatory books, which are provided free with your registration.
Areas of Study
Islam:
History, Growth, and Influence
Beliefs and Rituals
Folk vs. Orthodox Islam
Position of Men vs. Women
Ministry Skills:
Your Role in Bringing Muslims to Christ
Bridging the Gospel
Assimilating the Culture
Communicating Cross-Culturally
2025 Speakers
Fouad Masri
Founder of Crescent Project
Author, lecturer, and Crescent Project founder Fouad Masri was born and raised in the war zone of Beirut, Lebanon. As a third generation ordained pastor, he has a passion for sharing the love of Christ with Muslims and has been reaching out to Muslims and inspiring others to follow his example since 1979.
Fouad is the author of Adha in the Injeel, Connecting with Muslims, and his latest book, Sharing Jesus with Muslims, is now also available.
Rashidah
Rashidah was born into an African-American Muslim family but became a Christ follower as a child after her mother’s powerful conversion experience. For the past several years, she has been involved in various types of Muslim outreach and serves with Crescent Project as the host of our podcast, Crescent Project Radio.
Jake Embleton
Jake has been married to Keely for over 14 years and live in area that has been called the Tempe 10/40 window because of the number of international students that live in the neighborhood. Together they are raising their three boys to love Jesus and the nations. Jake and Keely lived in North Africa for a season where they ministered to Arabic speaking Muslims. Currently, Jake is the MissionConnexion SW Coordinator which seeks to partner with local churches to put on a regional conference to equip believers for the Great Commission.
Pastor Josh
Pastor Josh & his wife have served as missionaries in various African & South American countries. The bulk of their ministry has been among least reached Muslim peoples from UPGs & UUPGs. They are currently working in the United States in church strengthening & church planting, leading churches to always be on the lookout for the least reached around them. Their family is currently active in missions, evangelism & prayer network development among least reached Muslims in multiple North American cities, while partnering with churches to accomplish this task.
"Sara"
“Sara” is a former Muslim with extensive international experience in sharing Good News. She is currently the Women's Outreach Ministry Coordinator at Crescent Project. (Name changed and placeholder photo used to protect identity)
James Cha
James and his family served 10 years in Central Asia as church planting missionaries. Since 2010 they have served in the Washington DC area with Crescent Project. James is also an itinerant instructor throughout the U.S. on the topic of world missions.
Keivan Tehrani
Originally from Iran, God has allowed Keivan to preach the Gospel to tens of thousands of people in numerous countries over a 25-year ministry.
Ali Reza
Ali was born into a Muslim family in Iran. God orchestrated a divine conspiracy of many witnesses in the life of Ali to bring him to Christ, and today he is a passionate witness for Jesus.
Aaron Myers
Aaron spent over four years serving in Istanbul, Turkey with his family. He has served with Crescent Project since 2014 and currently directs the organization’s Digital Outreach initiatives.
Kareem Saber
Kareem is an associate regional director with Crescent Project, focused on equipping Christians to build meaningful relationships with Muslims and share the hope found in Christ. Born and raised in Cairo, Kareem comes from a Muslim background and is now a follower of Jesus, passionately leveraging his unique perspective, 20 years of international experience in executive leadership, and a strong academic foundation as a seminary student to foster understanding and engagement between faith communities.
Safiya
Safiya was born and raised in the Middle East as a devout Muslim, in a community where 98% of the population was comprised of Muslims.
Brett W.
Brett has been involved in reaching out to those farthest from the gospel for decades, including 10 years in Central Asia reaching Muslims. Brett now serves as the Director of Field Ministry with Crescent Project.
Thomas Messick
Thomas has served with Crescent Project for seven years, has lived in a Muslim majority country and is a PhD candidate at Melbourne School of Theology.
Tim Orr
Tim has served with Crescent Project for nine years and has taught as an adjunct professor in religious studies at Indiana University Purdue University Columbus for fifteen years. He has published three books and studied under Muslim scholars at Islamic College in London in a joint program with Middlesex University. He wrote his doctoral thesis examining Evangelical Christian attitudes toward Muslims. His research interests include Islamic feminism and Interfaith Dialogue.
Steve Helm
Steve Helm is COO of Crescent Project. In addition to decades of executive church leadership, he developed innovative coffee and food co-ops across Africa to meet spiritual and economic needs.