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Middle East

• Four Foreign Aid Workers Missing

  

  On January 20th, four workers affiliated with the French organization, SOS Chretiens d'Orient, went missing while in Baghdad. Despite repeated attempts to contact them, no response has been received to date. At last report, there have been no ransom demands made nor any further information on their whereabouts.

• Christians Blocked from Refugee Camps

  

  Christians who have fled war-ravaged areas of Syria are facing continued persecution while trying to seek refuge in camps set up in Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere. A substantial number of them are being blocked by United Nations officials when attempting to enter the camps because the majority of UN officials working in these countries are Muslims. Subsequently, many of the rejected refugees are being forced to live in hiding elsewhere, risking the danger of deportation and/or possible death if found.

• Exciting Growth for Satellite Ministry

  

  SAT-7, a Christian satellite TV ministry that is reaching many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, recently received new viewership statistics, and the results are exciting! While it is difficult to obtain viewership information for some channels, such as those reaching into Iran and Turkey, responses indicate significant growth in the Arabic ministry and the Kids' Channel.

• ISIS Fighter Converts to Christianity

  

  Pastor Abraham had been threatened many times for boldly sharing his faith with Sunni Muslims who were crossing the border from Syria. But the threats toward his family were becoming increasingly frequent and more serious. For several months, he had been dealing with mounting internal fear. He knew of no better way to combat that fear than to pray and ask the Lord for strength.

  One day, while working outside his house with an electrical saw, the blade suddenly popped off and caught him in the mouth. Had the blade hit him a few inches lower, it could have severed an artery in his neck. If it had been a few inches higher, it could have blinded him. As he stood in shock for a moment, he sensed God's Spirit impressing upon him: "I am in control of when your life will end. Stop being scared." At that moment, Abraham's fears were calmed.

  In the same area that Abraham had been ministering, an ISIS fighter named Fadi was recruiting Muslims to fight for the terrorist group. When several people at the refugee camp told him about the Christian evangelist, Fadi was infuriated. The ISIS terrorist decided to personally kill Abraham.

  When Fadi appeared, walking towards the Christian's home, Abraham was ready. The Lord had prepared the evangelist for this moment: "Speak to (Fadi) strongly and directly; don't be afraid," he was admonished. As Abraham began to speak the words God had put on his heart, Fadi began shaking uncontrollably. "I want salvation," the convicted terrorist earnestly pleaded. Abraham assuredly told him, "Jesus will forgive you of your sins." On hearing this, Fadi began to weep....

  The evangelist prayed with Fadi, whose life was dramatically transformed after accepting Jesus as his Saviour that day. Four months ago, the former terrorist was baptized at Abraham's church where he continues to meet for discipleship. The new believer has since led his wife to the Lord, and is now boldly sharing his faith with others at the refugee camp.

• ''Thousands Upon Thousands Coming to Christ!''

  

  Here is an encouraging message from our Arabic broadcasters in the Middle East....
  Despite the mass exodus of many Christians, the church is far from empty in Syria, Iraq, Jordan and other parts of the Middle East. God has been very faithful. There are strong Christian believers remaining, and tremendous growth is taking place in the lives of new believers who were Muslims. The presence of the church is vitally important. People are desperate and see very little hope, but the fact that there still is a church gives them encouragement and hope.

  Historically, Middle Eastern Christians have made significant contributions for the good of society, especially in Syria and Iraq, going all the way back to the first century. Their contributions include working in the areas of health, literacy and the translation of the Bible into Arabic. They were among the first to introduce charitable works and work with missionaries and NGO workers. They are often recognized as the most honest when it comes to business and trade. In the future, Christians will be vital to maintain diversity and ensure sustainable peace and lasting stability in the Middle East.

  We are in regular contact with our FM stations in Iraq and have talked with many people who have family in the Middle East. Some of our Middle Eastern broadcasters have shared testimonies with us (which they hear directly from listeners when visiting there). They are sharing exciting news of what God is doing in the Middle East. There are thousands upon thousands coming to Christ. May the Lord be praised and worshipped with great honour! He is worthy!

• Thousands of Children Tune to Christian TV

  

  A United Kingdom-based charity, known as Sat7, which focusses on broadcasting the Gospel in Arabic to the Middle East and North Africa through an engaging television series, has reported that over nine million children are tuning to the SAT-7 KIDS programming. The television program is imparting truths, positive values and education to children in a fun and engaging way while making it possible for them to learn within the safety of their own home environment. It is invaluable to parents who are seeking a trustworthy source of Christ-centred entertainment and education within their homes.

  The executive director of SAT-7 KIDS says of the report findings: "It is very encouraging, but it really is the hand of God. Our KIDS team is so terribly small and we are working with a very small budget." Additionally, the channel's programming manager adds: "They say that with a million people, you can change a country. With nine million, you can change a whole region."

  In spite of the challenges, SAT-7 KIDS is always seeking to take the programming one step further by improving its interaction with viewers. There are two live weekly programs that currently elicit a lot of direct responses from the audience because viewers can call in and talk to the hosts.

  Last December, a fresh interactive website launched for SAT-7 KIDS. The channel's presence on Facebook and YouTube also lets viewers comment on shows. Overall, the number of responses has quadrupled in the past three years.

  One Iraqi girl states: "Please pray that I will keep Christ in my heart and never leave Him for any reason. This request is not only for me but it is also for you and for everyone on this earth...." The mother of another child in Iraq also appreciates the ministry: "My daughter is six years old. She is always watching these programs. Please send us more Bible stories."

• Bible Translators Murdered by Militants

  Four translators employed with Wycliffe Associates were recently murdered by militants in an unnamed location of the Middle East. According to the organization's representative, the raid took place at the translators' office. Two of the translators were shot and killed. The other two workers were able to protect the life of the lead translator by laying on top of him during the attack. They themselves had succumbed to fatal injuries while deflecting bludgeoning blows from the attackers' spent guns.

  The militants responsible for the attack also destroyed items used for translating, including print-on-demand equipment, books and translation materials. However, the Wycliffe Associates spokesperson reports that the militants did not destroy the computer hard drives containing the translation work for eight language projects. Members of the organization are now planning to transfer the office from its present site in the Middle East to another undisclosed location.

  Ask the Lord to mend the wounded hearts and physical injuries of the surviving translation team members, and to bring greatly needed comfort to loved ones who are now grieving over the sudden loss of the slain workers. Pray for Him to strengthen and equip the other translators as they rise to the challenge of continuing with the eight language projects so that this tragedy will in no way restrict the Gospel from going forth throughout the Middle East. Also remember the perpetrators of this crime, praying that their eyes be opened to the truth, as well as the seriousness of what they have done, so they will experience sincere repentance, forgiveness of sin and, ultimately, eternal salvation.

• Paris Attacks Complicate Fate of Christian Refugees

  With the terrible news of more than a hundred people killed in the Paris terrorist attacks on November 13th, the fate of thousands of Christian refugees from Syria and Iraq are further complicated. "It's understandable," news writer David Rupert explains in his commentary. "Lives are gone and families are changed forever. There is pain and anguish, and the natural reaction is to begin to look for those responsible. Every nation is reviewing how such a thing could happen -- and what they need to do to prevent an occurrence within their own borders."

  While France has taken in nearly 20,000 Syrian refugees over the past two years alone, its borders immediately closed for the first time since WWII. David Rupert speculates that "out of self-preservation and response to public outcry, the doors in Europe will no doubt start closing." Then he makes mention of this present reality: "It's already happened in Slovakia and Poland."

  On the other hand, some internationally known politicians are taking a stand in favour of accepting Christians as refugees. America's Hilary Clinton says that immigration should be allowed, especially for "those who are most vulnerable, a lot of the persecuted religious minorities, including Christians, and some who have been brutalized, like the Yazidi women." Governor Jeb Bush also believes in providing safe refuge for "every Christian Iraqi and every Christian Syrian" who might be at grave risk.

  United Kingdom's Prime Minister David Cameron boldly expresses concern for the persecuted in his timely statement: "Every day in countries across the world, Christians are systematically discriminated against, exploited and even driven from their homes because of their faith. No believer should have to live in fear.... Now is not the time for silence. We must stand together and fight for a world where no one is persecuted because of what they believe."

  As followers of Christ, we know that the most effective way to fight this spiritual battle is through the power of prayer. Please join us by posting a prayer on behalf of the numerous displaced Christians who are in need of God's guidance and provision during this extremely difficult time.

  It's reassuring to know that our Sovereign God is fully aware of the plight presently being experienced by His long-suffering people, and that He is actively working on behalf of the persecuted through those who are compassionately responding to His promptings and directives. Pray that our world's international leaders will be granted the wisdom, insight and providential guidance to not only hinder further attacks from taking place, but also to serve as mediators for the many innocent victims of such inhumane acts of terrorism. In the midst of the resulting aftermath caused by these recent tragedies may there be a global spiritual awakening among all the peoples of the world -- one that will lead multitudes to the saving knowledge of the "Prince of Peace."

• Call to Prayer for Christian Refugees

  VOM is distributing practical and spiritual aid.

  On Saturday, July 4th, an Iraqi Franciscan priest, Fr. Dhiya Aziz, was abducted by militants in Yacoubieh, Idlib province, which is located in northwest Syria. The area is presently under the control of Jabhat al-Nusra, a terrorist group with links to al-Qaeda. Thankfully, more recent reports indicate that he has since been safely released.

  However, prior to the abduction, advances by Islamic State terrorists took place in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasaka on June 24th. This has resulted in further mass displacement of refugees, including Assyrian Christian families who had sought refuge in the city just this past February.

  Christian leaders in the Middle East are now calling for renewed and urgent prayers for peace. Some feel frustrated by what they perceive as lack of support from the church in the West. Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad recently stated, "We feel forgotten and isolated."

  Please uphold our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are under mounting pressure from Islamist terrorists. Ask our Almighty God to continue strengthening His dedicated servants as they provide needed relief to the tremendous number of displaced refugees in this part of the world. In keeping with our Lord's desire for all humanity, may there be an end to the violence and bloodshed so that His love and peace can reign supreme -- not only politically but, most importantly, in the hearts of those He so lovingly created.

• Ongoing Harassment of Orphans

  Angered that "Ahmed" and his family had converted from Islam to Christianity, their militant Muslim relatives made arrangements to have him killed. The martyred man's orphaned children were then taken into the home of a pastor who has since been raising them with his own family.

  Although it has been seven years since Ahmed's murder, his three surviving children are continually being harassed and pursued by the same family members who caused his death. In their attempts to make the children return to Islam, they even had Ahmed's son arrested and charged with leaving Islam when he turned 18. Thankfully, the young man was released after police changed the charges against him.

  In another part of the Middle East, the Voice of the Martyrs is making it possible for Christian children who have sought refuge after fleeing Islamic State invasion to receive needed education. Due to the sudden influx of thousands of refugee children and their families, several hosting countries do not have the capability of providing adequate schooling. Noticing the tremendous need in a particular community, VOM is now working with an in-country ministry partner so that the dreams and aspirations of refugee children may be realized.

  Thank the Lord for compassionate response of His dedicated servants in providing needed care for vulnerable children who've experienced first-hand the grievous injustices and evils of persecution. Pray that these young believers in the Middle East will be strengthened in their faith as they diligently learn the important truths contained in the Scriptures and discover the power of prayer. May God's higher plans for each of their lives come to fruition so they will not only fulfil His purposes but also experience the bright future He has promised them (Jeremiah 29:11).

  Assistance for Christian widows and orphans is being provided through VOMC's Families of Martyrs fund.