IRAQ - Rays of hope
14/07/05 - Despite dangers, Open Doors continues to minister
Forty thousand Christians left Iraq following a recent spate of bombings, and middle class Christians particularly continue to emigrate in alarming numbers as those in key professions, such as medicine, are targets for kidnapping and extortion. Some newer evangelical churches have been decimated by this exodus. However, some Christians have stayed and are seeing the remains of the Iraqi church coming back to life and multiplying.
One 65-year old man recently became the leader of a small church. He explained how the pastor has gone, the elders have fled and many members have left for other countries. But this lay leader has stayed and is willing to rebuild the church. He reports, “A month ago, nobody came to church but now more and more people are coming. Last Sunday we had 25 people, and this number will grow; I am sure of that.”
In the past, the congregation met in an old church building (ca 1875), but recently the church was able to buy land for a new building, which is amazing.
“Yes, we will build a new church building and we will show the Iraqi people that the Christians and churches are still present and are part of this society. They will not put us away and cannot force us to leave.”
This is one story of hope from war-torn Iraq. There are more.
According to a recent report from Compass Direct, other pastors are also seeing a hunger amongst the people. Pastor Ghassan Thomas remarked, “The people are open like never before. It is because we have no peace. Everybody listens when I talk about the deeper peace that Christ brings.”
“Muslims want peace also. Many are frightened. When hostages are killed, often a Quranic verse is used to justify it. So, many Muslims are scared of their own god. When we preach that God is love, it is liberating to them.”
However, as another pastor explained, “There is always persecution from the family when a Muslim becomes a Christian. That will not change any time soon, but it used to be that the new convert would face persecution from the state also, which is less true today.”
Christian pastors and members have also faced threats from Islamic radicals, but there is still a mood of hope amongst many. Pastor Thomas, concluded, “No one is expecting the situation to improve quickly, but we believe that God is moving in these times and that the future will be more peaceful, especially if Christians will befriend Muslims and work together.”
Indeed, after recent visits to Iraq, Open Doors co-workers reported on the country’s instability. Some cities and areas are scenes of violence, hate and oppression. The church also in some places is suffering with disunity between traditional and new churches, as well as, fragmentation within evangelical churches particularly.
A particular focus of the Open Doors ministry is to facilitate unity amongst and within the churches, with the local population and to strengthen the church generally.
Current Open Doors projects include:
• Distribution of Christian literature targeting children, youth, youth workers and adults. The adult materials include daily devotionals and commentaries.
• Training sessions for church leaders. Training sessions for Sunday School teachers are pending an improvement in the security situation.
• Christian resource centres providing language classes, Bible training classes, computer training and Christian books
• A Christian school will be built in cooperation with three other organisations and a vocational training centre is also under consideration
• Plans for a mobile medical clinic in the North of Iraq were initially enthusiastically received by several doctors, but sadly they now feel unable to help because of the danger involved.
Preventive health care and basic hygiene education are seen as important needs for Iraq by both Muslims and Christians, and Open Doors is now considering launching a children’s development programme and is hoping to build bridges between Muslims and Christians through it.
“It is so encouraging to know that Jesus will build His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it,” says Alan Hall, National Director of Open Doors UK & Ireland. “Despite the bombs, kidnappings, persecutions, political instability and lawlessness, God is working in Iraq. Please pray with us that the church will be united, strengthened and that Christians will stay strong in their faith.”
To find out more, call Open Doors on 01993 885400, email info@opendoorsuk.org or go to the UK & Ireland website at www.opendoorsuk.org.
Ends.
Open Doors strengthens persecuted Christians in over 45 countries across the world by
1. Training Church leaders and Christian workers
2. Supplying Bibles, hymnals, Sunday School materials and other Christian literature
3. Providing livelihood training and self-help opportunities
4. Visiting, comforting and encouraging those who are suffering
5. Raising awareness of the difficulties persecuted Christians face and mobilising prayer for them throughout the Western world.
For other articles/press releases on the Persecuted Church, please go to:
http://www.opendoorsuk.org.uk/press/articles/
http://www.opendoorsuk.org.uk/press/releases/
http://www.opendoorsuk.org/media_photos/world_watch_list_pics/html/index.htm