As you read these words, I am with a World Help team on the frontlines of a brutal humanitarian war being waged by ISIS on Christians in the Middle East.
This is no imaginary persecution: In Syria and Iraq, entire Christian communities have been destroyed. There have been kidnappings, shootings, and beheadings of believers that refuse to convert to Islam. The persecution is real, and beyond belief.
In Mosul, Iraq, the ancient city of Nineveh, there are virtually no more Christians. They have all been killed or have fled for international borders. There were once 100,000 Christians living in Mosul.
Men have been tortured. Women raped and sold. Innocent children slaughtered. Even crucifixions have been reported by our staff.
The situation here has deteriorated beyond belief. People are desperate, dying, and without hope.
Today, I am begging members of the American church to boldly respond to our persecuted brothers and sisters in Iraq. Sunday, November 2 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Would you consider joining hundreds of churches across the nation to focus on Iraq this year?
Here are two simple ways you can get involved:
- The greatest weapon we have against the atrocities of ISIS and against the hopelessness of evil is the power of prayer. No army can stand against it. No hatred is too strong to overcome it. Pray with me for peace. Pray for encouragement for our brothers and sisters. Pray for perseverance in suffering. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for hope.
- Take up a special love offering to aid persecuted believers in Iraq. Over a million people have been displaced within Iraq with no food, water, shelter, winter clothing, or access to medical care. Help provide these life-saving necessities and more to persecuted believers and their families by contributing to World Help’s ongoing relief efforts on the ground.
I also encourage you to take a few minutes to watch this video that explains the purpose of this special day on a global scale. I will be sharing another video update when I return from the frontlines.
Watch Stand With the Persecuted Church | World Help from World Help on Vimeo.
Additionally, we’ve created a webpage where you can read stories of persecution and access helpful resources, including an informational hand-out, that will enable you to spread the world. To learn more, visit worldhelp.net/prayer today.
World Help has been very actively involved in serving this region for years, but especially since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Our partners are strategically positioned to meet not only critical physical needs, but spiritual needs as well.
Just in the last few weeks, we’ve provided two mobile medical clinics for Northern Iraq (since most hospitals and clinics are nonfunctional), an armored SUV to distribute aid and relief, and tens of thousands of dollars to purchase food, clothing, and medicine. Only days ago, we sent a container of $1 million in new clothing for the refugees.
With ISIS constantly on the move and literally willing to sacrifice their own families to advance their twisted agenda, this crisis is only expected to grow worse.
Thousands of refugees who have escaped genocide are now dying in the streets from preventable disease. There is very little medical care available.
I don’t think there has ever been a more urgent time in recent history for Christ followers around the world.
Please stand with me on November 2 for the persecuted church of Iraq.
What we are witnessing today is the Christian Holocaust of the Middle East.
Join me in doing something today that will outlive you and last for eternity.
