Andrew: One, we must step up our efforts to evangelize the Muslims. There is a general decrease in missions giving toward the Muslim World, which is very much self-defeating. Second, we must reach out to the Christians in these places, just as we've always done, to "strengthen what remains" (Rev. 3:2) -- even in a place like Bethlehem. Christians are leaving because there is no future in the West Bank. But there is still something that remains; now we must go in and strengthen it. How else will either Jew or Arab or Muslim know who Jesus is? Open Doors is a mission, and proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of God is the only solution -- not politics, not military power, not revolution.

Open Doors: Are you seeing this strengthening and proclamation take place?

Andrew: Not in the Muslim world at the moment because the trend is still the other way. But we have seen it in the past in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. One of the reasons for the downfall of communism was the strength of the church in which we, and many others, had a part. The opportunity is there in the Muslim World, but it's not happening yet.

Open Doors: Why not?

Andrew: One reason is the constant pressure the church faces. There's little hope for improvement in the near future and it's disheartening. Ultimately, though, the church is going to play a decisive role. I really believe that.

Open Doors: So strengthening the church in the Muslim world is of utmost importance.

Andrew: Absolutely. Again, they compare unfavorably with the communist world because in every country in the communist world there was a church. But a number of Muslim countries never had a church, so we have a lot of catch-up to do.

Open Doors: Is there no functioning church in Afghanistan?

Andrew: Officially there's still no church because the new regime is still hard-line. They haven't solved the other problems yet with all those warlords and all those factions that are still fighting each other. We must simply pray that there will be enough peace for missionaries to establish churches. And when I say missionaries, I don't mean Westerners, but Christians from the region.

Open Doors: What breaks your heart the most?

Andrew: That Muslims are so open to us and yet there are so few who use the opportunity. They want the message of love and reconciliation, forgiveness, hope, that God is love. I see the people, I see the children. So much slavery. So much poverty. And yet so much hunger for the Word of God. Let's go there and not worry about the danger; otherwise it makes it more dangerous for the whole world.

Open Doors: Like Jesus?

Andrew: Jesus went around doing good. He looked for the lost. I pray we will have the same attitude and inspire the regional churches -- inspire the Pakistani Christians to go into Afghanistan. What is our plan? Are we doing something haphazardly and hope it will work out all right? We must be strategic, build bridges and have the courage to cross over the bridge, to fight the good fight. It's a Scriptural work. We need strategy, we need leaders, we need followers, we need donors, and we need people with dedication. The only battle that is lost is the battle that you give up. I will not give up. I see openings, I see possibilities. I still maintain that everyone who is reachable is winnable. And everyone is reachable, so why don't we win them? It can be done.