How Hospitality Builds Bridges with Muslims

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FROM STRANGERS TO FRIENDS: HOW HOSPITALITY BUILDS BRIDGES WITH MUSLIMS

BY GRACE KIM

Many of the Muslims you encounter in America are immigrants, international students, or refugees. Though their backgrounds may differ, they often share a common experience: living in a foreign land, sometimes without friends or community, and navigating life in a new, unfamiliar context. For some, this season of transition is marked by instability, uncertainty, and loneliness.

One of the most powerful ways Christians can love their Muslim neighbors is through hospitality. This is not merely a strategy for evangelism. It is obedience to Christ’s commands, a reflection of his character, and a tangible expression of his love. Scripture commends this posture plainly: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Heb. 13:2), “let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10), and “if your enemy is hungry, feed him” (Rom. 12:20). Jesus also teaches in the parable of the Good Samaritan that love of neighbor reaches across religious and social lines (Luke 10:25–37). When practiced faithfully, hospitality can open doors to friendships and meaningful conversations with Muslims.

What surprised me the most was that they were the ones who initiated spiritual conversations.Their questions were thoughtful, sincere, and filled with curiosity.

I have witnessed how powerful this can be in my own context. Every semester, a new group of exchange students from Egypt comes to a local university in my city. They stay for only a few months before returning home. Many of them have little to no meaningful interaction with Christians, and most never step inside an American home. Over the past several semesters, I have had the chance to engage with them. It begins with something simple, like seeing them on campus, walking up, and starting a conversation. From there, friendships begin to form.

One semester, I met a student from Egypt. I will call her H. I invited her to a Labor Day cookout at my pastor’s home. She brought six of her friends, and we spent the entire afternoon laughing, playing games, and sharing our life stories. The following week, I invited them to my home for dinner. These occasions created space for trust and friendship. What surprised me the most was that they were the ones who initiated spiritual conversations. They asked what I thought about Islam, and we began discussing our beliefs. Their questions were thoughtful, sincere, and filled with curiosity.

Later, when I met with H at a coffee shop, she shared something that deeply struck me. When she was 17, a question came into her mind: “Muslims claim that Islam is the truth, and Christians claim that Christianity is the truth. What if the Christians are right?” She went on to say that, in her view, the biggest difference between Islam and Christianity is the identity of Jesus. Is he merely a prophet, or is he God?

H also shared that she had encountered Christians both in Egypt and in the United States, but their conflicting beliefs left her confused. I encouraged her that if she truly wanted to understand Christianity, she should read the Bible itself, just as I go directly to Islamic texts when I want to understand Islam. I also shared honestly that, having studied Islamic history and texts, I have developed questions and concerns. Our conversation was respectful, open, and honest.

Before she returned to Egypt, I gave her an Arabic Bible and a small gift to remember her time in the United States. It has now been several months since she went home, and we still keep in touch. Recently, she reached out to tell me how much she misses our time together and how grateful she is for our friendship. Through my relationship with H, I have seen firsthand how hospitality can open doors to genuine connection and meaningful conversations about faith.

We do not need to be experts in Islam to love our Muslim neighbors well. But having a basic understanding of Islam can help guide our conversations and show that we take our friends seriously.

Experiences like this have taught me several important lessons.

Our love for God must drive our hospitality. Being hospitable does not always come naturally, and it is not always easy. It can be time-consuming, costly, and even uncomfortable, as we open up our homes and lives. At times, we may feel discouraged if our hospitality is not reciprocated or received as we hoped. Scripture reminds us, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Our motivation is not to gain something in return, but to serve selflessly and sacrificially because Christ first served us. We look to him as our example.
Hospitality builds trust and opens hearts. Sharing meals and opening our homes creates a space where people can feel welcomed, valued, and safe. It establishes opportunities for honest and genuine conversations. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.” Simple acts of welcome and giving can have a lasting spiritual impact.
Spiritual conversations often arise naturally—be ready for them. As a result, spiritual conversations often arise more naturally than we expect, and we should be ready for them. In those moments, we have the opportunity to share our faith and love for Christ. One of my Muslim friends once asked me why I am so kind and generous to her, and I told her that it is Christ who gives me both the strength and the heart to love and serve others in this way.

We do not need to be experts in Islam to love our Muslim neighbors well. But having a basic understanding of Islam can help guide our conversations and show that we take our friends seriously. For those who want to grow in this area, Ayman S. Ibrahim’s concise guides, A Concise Guide to Islam, A Concise Guide to the Qur’an, and A Concise Guide to the Life of Muhammad, are accessible and helpful starting points.

When we are grounded in the gospel and growing in our Christian understanding of Islam, we are better equipped to engage in meaningful spiritual conversations. Ultimately, we are called to be faithful, not impressive. As we open our homes in hospitality, God can use these simple acts to open hearts to hear the good news and lead to transformed lives in Jesus Christ.

Grace Kim is a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she is pursuing a PhD in Islamic Studies and serves at the Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam.