An Ex-Muslim's Guide to Christianity with Kenza Haddock
Apr 23, 2024
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Kenza Haddock, a Christian author and licensed counselor, shares her remarkable journey from Islam to Christianity. She reveals how a transformative dream and her move to the U.S. reshaped her faith and identity. Kenza discusses the significant challenges faced when transitioning faiths, including familial repercussions. She emphasizes the importance of viewing God as a loving Father, which helped her navigate mental health challenges. The conversation also encourages compassion and understanding towards Muslim neighbors, breaking down barriers with love.
Kenza Haddock's transformative journey emphasizes the shift from a religion centered on good works to one of grace through her encounter with Jesus.
Her experiences highlight the importance of compassionately bridging understanding between diverse faiths, particularly between Islam and Christianity, in mental health contexts.
Deep dives
Kenza's Early Life and Islamic Background
Kenza Haddock was born in Casablanca, Morocco, where she grew up in a strict Islamic household, instilling in her the belief that salvation could be earned through good works. Her upbringing involved fulfilling the five pillars of Islam, including daily prayers, which led her to justify her actions by accumulating good deeds to offset her mistakes. This understanding of faith was compounded by her family's strict adherence to their Islamic identity after moving to the United States, where they sought to maintain their cultural and religious practices amidst a predominantly Christian environment. Throughout her early life, Kenza's identity was closely tied to being Muslim, shaping her perspective and understanding of both religion and family values until she began to explore deeper questions about faith in her teenage years.
Transformative Dream and Journey to Christianity
In her early twenties, Kenza experienced a moment of despair that marked a turning point in her faith journey. Following a period of depression and anxiety, she cried out to God for guidance and had a profound dream where she encountered Jesus, leading her to question everything she had been taught about Him. This dream ignited her curiosity about Christianity, prompting her to conduct research to understand Jesus' identity beyond the Islamic view that saw Him merely as a prophet. Over the course of a year, her exploration of Christianity solidified into a belief in Jesus, culminating in a transformative moment when she prayed for salvation, fundamentally changing her understanding of God from a figure of fear to one of grace.
Kenza's Advocacy and Understanding of Identity
Kenza's experiences have fueled her passion for helping others, especially those who might be transitioning from Islam to Christianity. She acknowledges the significant differences in the perception of God between these two faiths, notably the Islamic understanding of a single deity versus the Christian concept of the Trinity. Through her licensed professional counseling practice, she helps individuals navigate their mental health struggles while also addressing misconceptions about God's nature; emphasizing that God is both holy and merciful. Kenza's journey reflects her commitment to fostering understanding among diverse religious communities, reminding others to approach their neighbors with love and kindness, regardless of differing beliefs.
Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Kenza Haddock to share her story of how Jesus changed her life.Questions Covered in This Episode:
Tell us about your life story.
Was your identity tied to being a Muslim?
What changed when you moved to the US?
What does “the end times” mean for a Muslim? What does it mean for a Christian?
How did you know it was Jesus in your dream?
What was it that led you to believe in Jesus?
What is Romans 10:9?
Why did you have to move away from your family?
What would your advice be to people who were raised in a Muslim home and are trying to figure out faith in Jesus?
How has your faith in Jesus helped you understand more of yourself in mental health challenges? How has it helped you, help others?
How would you as a Christian help others to think better about their Muslim neighbors?
Guest Bio:Kenza Haddock is a Christian author, licensed professional counselor, and a board certified pastoral counselor. She is the co-owner of Oceanic Counseling Group LLC, an outpatient mental health agency headquartered in South Carolina. Haddock is a sought-after speaker—she has spoken at conferences and churches, and she has been featured in dozens of news channels, including ABC 15, for her expertise in Christian counseling.Resources Mentioned: