The head of a messianic Jewish ministry says a church congregation in Arkansas is taking a dangerous step by agreeing to build a place of worship in conjunction with a Muslim group.
All Saints Episcopal Church in Bentonville, Arkansas, recently signed a letter of agreement to build a communal place of worship with the Bentonville Islamic Center. Leaders of the two congregations – along with members of Bentonville's Jewish community – have been discussing plans for "an interfaith sacred space" for almost three years.
Jan Markell, founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries, says All Saints' "theory of radical hospitality" is just another example of the delusion on the part of a liberal denomination.
"It's the ecumenical spirit that's raging around the world today," she tells OneNewsNow. "And of course, none of these entities understand [that] Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God."
The two Bentonville groups claim they want to make sure people of every faith, or people who are simply exploring different faiths, feel welcome at the new facility, where organizers hope the Jewish congregation will also hold services.
Markell argues that this isn't the way to fulfill the Great Commission. "... If these Episcopalians aren't careful, the Muslims are going to win them over because these people are so spiritually shallow," she warns.
"If they're willing to compromise, as they are here, [and] if they aren't careful, they're going to be won over to another religion just because they have no comprehension of their role as Christians not to sing 'Kumbaya' and let's all get along and appreciate each other's faiths."
Markell reiterates that there's only one path to salvation: faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.