Former Terrorist Visits Church in Oceanside, CA

Online, February 11, 2012 (Newswire.com) - New Song Community Church announces that Taysir Abu Saada, a former PLO sniper under the "Fatah Forces" and author of the book Once An Arafat Man, will visit the church during the weekend services on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12. Taysir Abu, also known as Tass, has been invited by New Song Community Church to share his real-life story of transformation from a life of hatred to one of reconciliation and love.

Born into a Muslim family, Tass joined the "Fatah Forces" PLO under Arafat, where he was trained as a sniper to kill Jews. As a young man he came to America, where he started a family, changed his faith, and began reconciliation with Jews. Tass joins New Song Community Church with the purpose to share about his life and how he was transformed from a former terrorist immersed in anti-Israeli activity to embracing the Christian faith and becoming an advocate of the nation of Israel.

"We are very excited to have Tass as our guest speaker," said Hal Seed, senior pastor and founder of New Song Community Church. "Our vision is to be the church next door and we hope that Tass's remarkable life story will make an impact not only in our church but also in our city."

"It is a must to hear Tass Saada's testimony on how he went from a hater of Jews and Christians to love, hope and peace provided by a loving God" said Allan Hedrick, President of Hope For Ishmael, a non-profit charitable organization founded by Tass Saada.

In addition to inviting over 1,300 regular attenders, New Song is opening the doors to everyone in Oceanside and Bonsall and the surrounding areas, who would like to see Tass Saada and hear his story. For detailed information visit www.newsongchurch.com

About New Song Community Church

From its founding on September 27, 1992, New Song Community Church has strived to be a church that helps people outside of traditional church find Christ and grow in relationship with Him. New Song's goal is to reach unchurched people and introduce them to the love of Christ, and build believers who increasingly love the community in tangible, transforming ways. New Song's main campus is in Oceanside with a second campus in Bonsall that opened in January, 2011. New Song helped start six churches, five para-church organizations including Outreach, Inc., Dynamic Church Planting International, Church Community Builder Online, First the Kingdom, and Find Truth Online. New Song also released a major motion picture directed by Brian Baugh, To Save A Life that is touching people world wide. With over 1,300 attenders, New Song Community Church is a multi-racial and multi-generational community church.

About Tass Saada

Taysir Abu Saada (Tass) knows first-hand what it means to be gripped by hopelessness. Born into a Muslim family in the Gaza Strip, his parents immigrated to Saudi Arabia shortly after his birth. After the humiliating Arab defeat in the 1967 war with Israel, Tass joined the "Fatah Forces" (PLO under Arafat). In Fatah, Tass was trained as a sniper to kill Jews. He also trained children to fight and kill Jews. After several years with Fatah, family circumstances drew him back home. Then, desperate for a change, Tass moved to the United States in 1974, married an American girl (Karen), and became successful in business. In 1993 he had an amazing conversion from anger to love, which is covered in his book, Once an Arafat Man. Although he enjoyed his life in the US, Tass realized the people of his homeland were still trapped in a cycle of violence, poverty and despair. In response, he and his wife founded Hope for Ishmael, a 501(c)(3) religious organization intent on making a difference, one life at a time, in Israel and the West Bank.