Lebanese believers make dangerous trek into Syria

(Story photo courtesy Christian Aid
 Mission / Cover photo by Freedom House)

Syria (MNN) ― Over the weekend, food packages, medicine, and evangelistic materials were delivered to Syrian Christians as Lebanese Christians bravely risked their lives to deliver what they could.

"A series of house meetings were held," says Bill Bray withChristian Aid Mission. "Over 600 emergency relief packages were delivered from missionaries in Lebanon who crossed the border, and they brought in medicine and conducted these meetings."

With far over 9,000 Syrians dead from atrocity after atrocity, thousands have fled the warring nation; but others cannot afford the risk of leaving. The meetings that took place over the weekend were a way to physically reach out to suffering believers who are trapped in Syria.

The work was incredibly dangerous. Syrians leaving the country face the risk of death by shooting or mines. Those same risks cannot be far from Lebanese trying to cross into the guarded nation.

Christians are at particular risk, says Bray. The government is unlikely to attack, but believers are an easy target for extremists when the government's unable to protect them. In fact, Bray says, "There is a rise, an increase in attacks on Christians."

Despite the extreme threats facing the Lebanese believers coming into Syria and the Syrians in turn leaving the nation to stay with Lebanese church members, Christian Aid contacts have not backed down.

One missionary leader who left Lebanon to help Syrian Christians told Christian Aid, "The word ‘safe' is not in our dictionary. We live every single day in faith, not safety."

Their extreme faith and courage has not gone unrewarded. "A lot of refugees from Syria that are coming across the border are Bedouin, gypsies, and Muslim-background Syrians. They are coming to the Lord, they are accepting the Christian message, and their hearts are very open," says Bray.

In the midst of unprecedented violence, people from all backgrounds in Syria are clinging to the peace they see in Christ. While aid was distributed over the weekend, many people were also being baptized at the string of house meetings.

The church is growing quickly, but it can only grow if it is physically well, too. Medicine is particularly difficult to come by in Syria. Christian Aid is trying to provide as much as possible, but the ministry still needs a great deal of help.

Bray says one Syrian boy came down with a fever, but since his parents couldn't afford medicine, his easily-cured ailment ended up paralyzing him. If Christian Aid had been able to supply medication, says Bray, that never would have happened.

Christians are in dire need of aid and prayer. Help them physically by giving to Christian Aid with the CAMCode "400REF." Pray with them for peace in the nation, and for strength for new followers of Jesus. 

Open Doors explosive church growth in Iran

Iran (MNN) ― Middle EastOpen Doors staff members recently reported that church growth is "explosive' in Iran; they even speak of a revival.

Iran is the fifth country in the world on Open Doors' World Watch List for the persecution of believers. The president and the supreme leader of the country openly speak against the growth of house churches, and persecution against Christian converts is highly prevalent.

Interestingly, though, these two government leaders are nearly alone in their disdain for Christianity as a "Western religion," says one Open Doors staff member. "In the past, Christianity wasn't popular; it was seen as a Western religion. Now only the government sees it as a Western product, or better: a Western political system," says the staff member.

Iranians have seen the corruption of the Islamic Revolution in their own country and are looking for something more. This yearning combined with a bold Christian presence is causing church growth like never before.

"Iranians are very outgoing and want to speak about their faith," a staff member states. "That is why discipleship training (with elements of outreach and communications) for Iranian believers is successful. If you tell them that a Christian should share, the Iranian Christian shares."

Offering discipleship training is one of the ways Open Doors works to strengthen the Iranian church. It is estimated that about half of the new Christians are open about their new faith while others are keeping their conversion a secret.

As a result of this willingness to take risks, there are hundreds of thousands of believers in Iran. About 40 years ago, approximately 200 Christians from a Muslim background were living in Iran. Today some estimate that there are as many as 370,000 Christian converts. Besides these new believers, Iran also has a traditional Armenian and Assyrian church with about 80,000 members.

These Christians face daily harassment for their faith. The government's abborhance of house churches has caused house churches to cut membership down from around 15 members to more like 5 or 6.

Open Doors staff say that in the last several months, the Iranian government has prohibited several churches from offering services in Farsi on Fridays, the official day off in the country. The Iranian government also forbids the selling of Bibles or New Testaments.

And persecution comes from society, too. "Based on the information that we get from people, we believe that persecution by family members is growing; but this kind of persecution is less visible than, for example, arrest by police." But, the staff member adds, "Even though persecution is growing, people becoming Christians continues to grow."

The growth can only be explained by the power of the Lord. Pray that He would continue to work through the church, and to give dreams and visions to seeking Iranians. Pray for boldness and safety for believers as they proclaim the name of the one and only God. 

Communism Can't Stop Christ in Cuba

The spread of the Gospel is
 advanced when pastors are freed up
 financially to focus on their ministry.
 Vision Beyond Borders sponsorship
 program does just that.

Cuba (MNN) ― Like a piece of gold needs pressure and heat to become pure and refined, the church is experiencing incredible growth and maturity in the midst of communist oppression. This growth is partially due to Cuban pastors' increased ability to minister to more people. Financial sponsorships have given them that ability.

Vision Beyond Borders is actively involved in the lives of pastors leading Christians in Cuba. With the help of the Christian community, they are currently sponsoring 75 pastors. These pastors have responded with how the support has helped them in times of difficulty.

One Cuban pastor reports, ""After many trials with the construction of the church building, we prayed and fasted on many occasions. And finally they gave us permission to continue. This is only possible because God opened doors."

Another pastor says, "Those saved from the first and second trimester of the year is more than 8,000. The local church has more than 4,000 members, and we continue discipling and baptizing. Thank you for supporting us and praying for us."

None of this could have been done without the financial support of Vision Beyond Borders' sponsorship program. The needs of pastors, especially in Cuba, are great. A pastor in rural Cuba will make an average of $9.60 a month. A pastor in urban Cuba will make up to $20 per month. Most pastors end up having to work multiple jobs to support themselves and their families.

We as the church are called to "bear each other's burdens. "For those of us who have so much to give, God calls us to help our brothers and sisters who are struggling. The unique and compassionate love of Christ allows us to show this love to each other as well.

To help these pastors, Vision Beyond Borders states, "We hope that we would be able to ease the financial stress for the pastor to have the freedom to build their congregation, develop new ministry outlets, and focus on their community needs."

And the community needs are great indeed. The religion accepted by most Cubans is a combination of Catholicism and witchcraft. Many are closed off to the true message of the Gospel.

Sponsorship of a pastor not only encourages them, but also lets them expand their ministry and reach more of these people for Christ. God directly uses the sponsorship of pastors to expand the message of the Gospel and draw more people into His kingdom.

The evangelism opportunities in Cuba are ripe and the harvest is ready. But the need for more sponsorships is still there. Although Vision Beyond Borders already sponsors 75 pastors, there are four times as many pastors still needing financial support.

Please pray that the church in Cuba would continue to experience growth and maturity. Pray also for the pastors needing sponsorships to have patience and rest in God's provision. If you are interested in sponsoring a pastor in Cuba for just $25 a month, you can click here.