Page 8 - Issue 23

The Islamic Bulletin Volume X No. 23 Page 8
A Christian Minister’s Conversion to Islam
Yusuf Estes
I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest.
Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and
schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who
came here in the first place.
While I was still in elementary
we relocated in Houston, Texas
in 1949 (I’m old). We attended
church regularly and I was
baptized at the age of 12 in
Pasadena, Texas. As a teenager, I
wanted to visit other churches to
learn more of their teachings and
beliefs. The Baptists, Method-
ists, Episcopalians, Charismatic
movements, Nazarene, Church
of Christ, Church of God,
Church of God in Christ, Full
Gospel, Agape, Catholic,
Presbyterian and many more. I
developed quite a thirst for the
“Gospel” or as we say; “Good News.” My research into religion
did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism, Judaism,
Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part
of my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into
seriously was “Islam”. Why? Good question.
Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music,
especially Gospel and Classical. Because my whole family was
religious and musical it followed that I too would begin my
studies in both areas. All this set me for the logical position of
Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated
with over the years. I started teaching keyboard instruments in
1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland,
called “Estes Music Studios.”
Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in
many business projects. We had entertainment programs, shows
and attractions. We opened piano and organ stores all the way
from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida. I made millions of dollars
in those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can
only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan
of salvation. I’m sure you have asked yourself the question;
“Why did God create me?” or “What is it that God wants me to
do?” or “Exactly who is God, anyway?” “Why do we believe in
‘original sin?” and “Why would the sons of Adam be forced to
accept his ‘sins’ and then as a result be punished forever. But if
you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you
that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a ‘mystery’
and you shouldn’t ask.
And then there is the concept of the ‘Trinity.’ If I would ask
preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how
‘one’ could figure out to become ‘three’ or how God Himself,
Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive
people’s sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down
on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people.
Keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole
universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the
universe as we know it.
Then one day in 1991, I came to know that the Muslims
believed in the Bible. I was shocked. How could this be? But
that’s not all, they believe in Jesus as:
· A true messenger of God;
· Prophet of God;
· Miracle birth without human intervention;
· He is with God now
· He was the ‘Christ’ or Messiah as predicted in the
Bible;
· And most important, he will be coming back in the Last
Days to lead the believers against the ‘Antichrist.’
This was too much for me, especially since the evangelists
that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and
Islam very much. They even said things that were not true to
make people afraid of Islam. So, why would I want anything
to do with these people?
Meeting the First Muslim
My father was very active in supporting church work,
especially church school programs. He becae and ordained
minister in the 1970s. He and his wife (my stepmother)
knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even
visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the “Prayer
Tower” in Tulsa, OK. They also were strong supporters of
Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell,
John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat
Robertson.
Father of Yusuf Estes
Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in
recording “Praise” tapes and distributing them for free to
people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the
elderly. And then in 1991 he began doing business with a
man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet
him. This idea appealed to me when I thought about the
idea of having an international flavor. You know, the
pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that. Then my father
mentioned that this man was a ‘Moslem.’ I couldn’t believe
my ears. A ‘Moslem?’ No way. I reminded my dad of the
various different things that we had heard about these
people, how they are terrorists, hijackers, kidnappers,
bombers and who knows what else? Not to mention that:
they don’t believe in God; they kiss the ground five times a
day and they worship a black box in the desert.
No. I did not want to meet this ‘Moslem’ man. No way.
My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he
was a very nice person. So, I gave in and agreed to the
meeting. But on my terms. I agreed to meet him on a
Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in
good standing with the Lord. I would be carrying my Bible
under my arm as usual. I would have my big shiny cross
dangling and I would have on my cap which says: “Jesus is
Lord” right across the front. My wife and two young
daughters came along and we were ready for our first
encounter with the ‘Moslems.’
When I came into the shop and asked my father where the
‘Moslem’ was, he pointed and said: “He’s right over there.” I
was confused. That couldn’t be the Moslem. No way.
I’m looking for a huge man with flowing robes and big turban
on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows
that go all the way across his forehead.
This man had no beard. In fact, he didn’t even have any hair
on his head at all. He was very close to bald. And he was
very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake. This
didn’t make sense. I thought they are terrorists and bombers.
What is this all about?
Surprised At What Muslims Believe
Never mind. I’ll get right to work on this guy. He needs to be
‘saved’ and me and the Lord are going to do it. So, after a
quick introduction, I asked him:
“Do you believe in God?”
He said: “Yes.” (Good!)
Then I said: “Do you believe in Adam and Eve?”
He said: “Yes.”
I said: “What about Abraham? You believe in him and how
he tried to sacrifice his son for God?”
He said: “Yes.”
HOW I EMBRACED ISLAM