Mission Network News - Middle East

Lebanon (MNN) — Fear and fighting escalate in Lebanon as the U.S. pushes for peace between Israel and Hamas.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned Israeli leaders that this week’s talks could be the last chance for a Gaza ceasefire. Diplomats hope a peace agreement will halt movement toward a regional war.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah and Israel trade attacks in southern Lebanon, killing ten.

“Every little crack, every little sound is watched very carefully and brings up the worst [fear in] us because, again, we’re human beings, and we do fear for our lives,” Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says.

Gospel workers serve diligently near conflict zones in southern Lebanon, offering the hope of Christ to those who flee Hezbollah hot spots.

“It starts with a food package, but that’s not our end goal. That’s just the beginning of a journey from despair to hope.”
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)

“Since [the] conflict started in October, we added 500 new families that are receiving monthly food packages. In June, we had another 500, so we are now tending to an additional 1,000 families in great need,” Melki says.

“We want to give this message of hope. At the same time, we want to tend to those who are suffering the most.”

The ministry is also helping local partners extend relief to needy families. “I got a call from a local ministry [partner who] said, ‘We’re running short on resources. We have 50 families that we cannot feed this month,’” Melki says.

“We have to scrap whatever resources Heart for Lebanon has to make sure that this ministry can meet its obligation to the families they’re serving.”

Pray that widespread tension in the Middle East will de-escalate.

“A lot of people are paying a huge price, a price that right now we’re not seeing, but this emotional, psychological fear is going to last for a long time,” Melki says.

Header image depicts a woman receiving food aid from Heart for Lebanon. (Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)

Iran (MNN) — One ministry is tapping into an overlooked people group in Iran, preparing ways to mobilize them for mission.

“Children are dear to Jesus’s heart,” Transform Iran’s Lana Silk says. “He encouraged His disciples to make sure that the children would have direct access to Him, so we want to make sure we reach them, too.”

Knowing that children hold the future of Iran, the Iranian regime seeks to mold and shape the Next Generation from a very young age.

“The government knows the power of reaching children. Children are brainwashed [in school] having to shout ‘Death to America, death to Israel’ at the beginning of every school day,” Silk says.

“[They are] surrounded by propaganda in their classrooms and taught Islamic propaganda through their lessons. What they need to be hearing is the voice of Jesus.”

(Photo courtesy of Transform Iran)

This fall, Transform Iran is teaching 35 Iranian pastors how to reach the Next Generation for Christ. More about that here.

Silk says the ministry seeks to incorporate “all the same principles we do through adult ministry, where you train people effectively, qualify them, and release them to reach other people” into its children’s outreach.

“How do we now apply that to children? That’s a different skill set, and we want to ensure our pastors are equipped to do that well,” she says.

Help sow into the future of Iran here. Pray the upcoming training will trigger a ripple effect of transformation.

“We talk about the people in Iran with malintent who are out for destruction. How wonderful it would be to raise a generation that is contra that culture and wants something different,” Silk notes.

Header and story images courtesy of Transform Iran.

Iran (MNN) — For kids growing up in Islamic countries, gospel resources are limited. What can be done to reach them? 

“In today’s world, children, including those in Iran, are bombarded with misleading, false and sometimes harmful messages from various animations, games, movies,” says Jennifer* with Heart4Iran. 

“It’s crucial to counter this with equally engaging content that conveys the truth of gospel to to kids.”

Superbook is the Bible brought to life through animation — a timeless form of storytelling — to introduce children to Jesus and help develop their faith.
(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran, caption courtesy of Christian Broadcasting Network)

That’s where the Superbook TV series comes in. Created in 1981 by the Christian Broadcasting Network, Superbook now reaches kids in 60 languages with engaging Bible stories and lessons. (Learn more about Superbook here.)

Jennifer serves as the manager of the Superbook Farsi program at Heart4Iran. She and her team collaborate with another group of believers to bring Superbook to the Farsi-speaking world. Each episode goes through a detailed process of translation, review, dubbing, audio mixing and more before it’s ready for broadcast. 

“Through characters like Joy and Chris, kids can relate to common challenges that they face at school, with their friends, at home, with families. Each episode presents a story from the Bible, showing how decisions can be made and lessons learned,” Jennifer says.

“The high quality Superbook cartoon really competes with a lot of other non-Christian content out. So as much as we can, we have to support this and make it available for our kids around the world.”

It’s coming at a critical time. Jennifer says that children in Iran are “growing up with a lot of health, mental, [and] emotional problems.” They and their families need the hope of Christ. 

Would you join in praying for the next generation in Iran? Ask God to transform their lives through this special TV program. Pray for God to save all children. 

To learn more about Heart4Iran’s mission, click here.  

*Name withheld for security reasons. 

Header photo courtesy of Heart4Iran.

Israel (MNN) — The United States Pentagon press secretary says an Iranian attack on Israel is possible this week. The U.S. is beefing up its show of military force by sending an additional Carrier Strike Group and missile submarine to the region.

Meanwhile, Israelis are preparing their bomb shelters for potentially longer stays if Iran or one of its proxies attacks.

Pastor Israel Pochtar of Beit Hallel Congregation in Ashdod says, “We’re buying food and preparing for the Iran attack because, from previous times, we know many families won’t be already anyway — especially the really poor, needy people because sometimes they just don’t have more money to buy ahead of time.”

Many Israelis have bomb shelters in their homes. But many more who live in older homes have to stay in shared community bomb shelters.

(Photo courtesy of Beit Hallel Congregation)

Pochtar and his ministry team bring aid and biblical encouragement to people struggling in bomb shelters, especially near the conflict borders.

“Visiting those bomb shelters, I can tell you it was a very difficult scene,” says Pochtar. “You see sick people, very old people, [and] women with young children or even with infants.” Yet, he adds, “We came to distribute food, and we’re ready to do it again.”

Please pray for Israelis, that they would not be trapped in a spirit of fear but would know the confidence and hope of the Gospel.

Pochtar says, “We pray that they really will be seeking God because that’s promised that if they will seek God – not just religion, but God – they will find Jesus.”

You can support Beit Hallel Congregation’s humanitarian work in Israel here!

“It’s a great time for the Church to be a voice of comfort,” Pochtar encourages. “As Isaiah 40 says, ‘Comfort, comfort my people, says the Lord. Speak tenderly to the heart of Jerusalem.’ That’s our focus in ministry right now.”

Header photo courtesy of Beit Hallel Congregation.

Syria (MNN) — A small earthquake triggers big fears in Syria.

Samuel* of Redemptive Stories says, “There was a small-scale earthquake of 4.8 magnitude on the Richter scale near the city of Hama, which is [a] similar area that was affected by the large earthquake last February, which was a 7.8 [magnitude earthquake].”

Flashbacks sent families running into the streets at midnight on Monday. Last year’s earthquake caused widespread destruction in Türkiye and northern Syria, killing over 50,000 people.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or damages this week, but health workers treated at least 67 cases of shock. “I can only imagine the pain that they are now going through again, to have all those memories from the first one hit them again,” Samuel says.

“Particularly for children, that (earthquake) probably brought all those memories right back to the surface.”

Residents across Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon reported tremors lasting into Tuesday morning.

In Syria, “A lot of organizations quickly responded, reminding [Gospel workers] how to uniquely help people with the trauma from an earthquake because it’s different than other traumas that they’d already faced after 10-plus years of war,” Samuel says.

“Through that, then, [believers are] sharing the Gospel and sharing our source of hope through Jesus Christ.”

Pray Syrian believers will keep speaking the Gospel truth amid challenging circumstances.

*Pseudonym

Header image depicts the town of Jindires in Syria after the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes. (Wikimedia Commons)

Lebanon (MNN) — Statistics show Lebanon to be one third Christian, a tremendous opportunity for churches and organizations there to leverage. But the nation also faces tremendous challenges today. 

One day last February, a group of leaders gathered at one of the facilities of Thimar-LSESD, a ministry to Lebanon in the capital city, Beirut. These leaders came from the business sector, NGOs, churches, and the media world, but they had a common goal for the day: to learn how to build God’s Kingdom better together.

Photo of Movement Day February 2024 courtesy of Thimar-LSESD

In the months since then, what have been the results? Hunter Williamson with Thimar shares about two groups that formed from Movement Day. 

“The Christian Businessmen Association has been meeting to discuss different ways that they can actually work with local churches to support local churches, and also ways that they could consider the workplace a ministry,” Williamson says. 

“Having your local business not only [be] a local business that supports your community, but also using it as a platform for sharing the gospel, for talking to people about Christ.”

Second, a pastors’ network has allowed churches to share wisdom on the best ways to reach local communities. 

Photo of Movement Day February 2024 courtesy of Thimar-LSESD

“Lebanon is a country that is very diverse — it can really change a lot from one area to the next. So finding ways that each pastor can share the gospel and the proper context for their individual community is critical.” Williamson says.

Thimar intends to host a Movement Day again next year. But for today, they need your prayers.

“For the past four, almost five years now, a series of crises have been afflicting Lebanon,” Williamson says.

“First there was a mass public uprising against the government. That was quickly followed by very severe economic collapse. The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on Lebanon and really exacerbated the political and economic crisis. Now there is the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which seems that it could escalate into a full-scale war any day now.”

Williamson adds that another wave of mass emigration from Lebanon has risen in the past few years. That includes Christians. 

“It’s great for us to have days and events like Movement Day,” he says. “But as more and more people seek to leave the country, this really affects Christian organizations and the church, when you have its members leaving.” 

Ask God to lead Christians to stay in Lebanon. Pray as you feel led for stability and effective gospel witness. To learn more about what Thimar is doing to advance the gospel in Lebanon, click here. 

Header photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Andrew Moca/Unsplash.

Lebanon (MNN) — The United Kingdom and Egyptian governments ask airlines to avoid Iranian and Lebanese airspace as Middle East tensions rise. The region remains on edge, awaiting Iran’s promised retaliation for the Hamas and Hezbollah leaders killed last week.

Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says, “We’re praying that Iran settles with a proxy response. But if Iran shells across the borders into Israel, the response from Israel and other nations is going to be huge.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a warning to the Lebanese people yesterday as Israel and Hezbollah weighed “first strike” options:

“We will not allow the Hezbollah militia to destabilize the border and the region. If Hezbollah continues its aggression, Israel will fight it, with all its might: Remember Nasrallah’s regret following the dangerous and miscalculated adventure he embarked on, in August 2006 – learn the lesson of the past so as not to fall into a dangerous scenario in August 2024.”

Hezbollah, a paramilitary group backed by Iran with political ties in Lebanon, vowed revenge on Israel for killing one of its senior leaders in Beirut last week. Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged near-daily attacks since early October, but the assassination marks a substantial escalation.

“Lebanon is in the middle of all that conflict, and, unfortunately, the tension keeps rising,” Melki says.

“Every day seems to add a notch to the tension.”

Melki, a Lebanese national, says the tension is tangible in Beirut, where Heart for Lebanon is headquartered.

(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)

“The Lebanese population is significantly worried. [By] around 3:30 or 4 pm, the streets are empty. Everybody goes home early to finish their business before it gets dark,” Melki says.

“I heard a psychiatrist say today, ‘It’s worse to anticipate war than to live in war.’ This anticipation that war is coming or more death and destruction is behind the door, as they say, makes you sit and wait with fear,” he continues.

“The general population in Lebanon is doing whatever they can to ensure they have enough fuel in their car and food in their fridge and store nonperishable food items in anticipation that things can get worse soon.”

Heart for Lebanon’s team is committed to staying and shining the light of Christ as the clouds of war darken in Lebanon. A gift from you can help the team purchase more food aid or relief supplies.

“Resources are scarce. Food is limited because people are trying to store additional food supplies,” Melki says. “In our medical clinic, we have supplies of medicines, but we don’t have all the medicines that we need.”

Header image depicts a tank flying a Hezbollah flag. (Wikimedia Commons)

Iran (MNN) — Israel remains on high alert following Iranian threats of retaliation. Iran blames Israel for assassinating a Hamas political leader in Tehran last week and promises revenge.

Transform Iran’s Lana Silk says, “Everyone is playing a game of chicken, I think, showing a display of strength and willingness to engage, but waiting to see who will make their move first.”

Iranian-backed militia in nearby countries are attacking Israel and Western forces with increased frequency. Hezbollah drone attacks wounded 19 people in northern Israel yesterday, while a suspected rocket attack on a military base in Iraq injured several U.S. personnel.

No groups have claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack, but Iranian-backed Iraqi militias recently resumed assaults on bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.

Despite these strikes, U.S. state officials say the exact timing and details of Iran’s “big attack” remain unclear. “Iran is a legitimate threat, but Iran doesn’t want war on their turf,” Silk says.

“Iran doesn’t have the capacity for that kind of war. They’ve been very happy to run this war by proxy.”

Meanwhile, the focus inside Iran is on a different quandary. “There is talk of war; there is an anticipation that something might escalate, but they’ve got bigger, immediate problems at hand,” Silk says.

“They’re so concerned with getting food on their table that I’m not sure it (the potential war with Israel) is trickling down to them just yet.”

Transform Iran offers peace amid the turmoil. “Our hope is Jesus, and He is the person we endeavor to introduce Iranians to in every way we can,” Silk says.

Transform Iran reaches the lost, disciples new believers, and develops nation-transforming leaders. Find ways to come alongside these efforts here.

Header image is a representative stock photo of the Iranian flag. Photo courtesy of Mohsina881018/Wikimedia Commons.

Lebanon (MNN) — Life in Beirut seems to carry on after an Israeli airstrike killed a top Hezbollah commander there last week. Beachfronts and cafes are open and full of people, but the normalcy is razor-thin. 

“You’ll be sitting [or] walking, and you’ll hear large explosions: it’s Israeli jets breaking the sound barrier over Beirut and over Mount Lebanon,” says Hunter Williamson with Thimar-LSESD. “These are largely just shows of force, but they’re adding a lot to the anxiety and pressure.”

Ten months of escalating fire between Hezbollah and Israel have taken a deep toll on the people of Lebanon.

“If you drive just an hour south of Beirut, you really begin to enter a different world. Almost 100,000 people have been displaced over the past several months. You have entire villages deserted, damaged and destroyed,” says Williamson. 

“Both Iran and Israel and Hezbollah have suggested that they still would like to avoid a full scale war. But the situation very much seems to be getting out of hand. There’s a lot of talk about how people will be able to get out of the country if a larger conflict erupts.” 

This is all just one more challenge the people of Lebanon face on top of crippling economic and political crises of the past several years.

(Photo courtesy of Thimar-LSESD/MERATH)

“Many people were already struggling to get by before this conflict began,” Williamson says. “[It] has added another tremendous amount of weight to already very tired shoulders.”

Thimar’s staff serves as the hands and feet of Christ as they all look to an uncertain future.

“Thimar remains committed to Lebanon and to the wider Middle East. We have many different ministries focused on aid and development, on education, on church planting, and building on special needs, education and support,” Williamson says. 

“Whether it’s providing education, whether it’s providing aid, whether it’s helping with home rehabilitation, through this Thimar is not only declaring the gospel, but it’s demonstrating it.” 

Pray for an end to hostilities in the Middle East. Pray that Christians on the ground will be agents of peace and justice, and that many will come to know Christ through this incredibly difficult time. 

Learn more about the ministries of Thimar at thimar.org. 

Header photo of damaged building in Beirut, Lebanon is a representative stock photo courtesy of Jo Kassis/Pexels.

Lebanon (MNN) — Residents are reportedly leaving Lebanon’s capital city in droves, and hospitals are preparing for “emergency” cases.

Lebanon remains on a knife’s edge following last week’s Israeli killing of a Hezbollah commander in a Beirut suburb. Heart for Lebanon’s Tom Atema says the tension is tangible, and questions abound.

“When’s this going to end? What are we fighting about? What’s the issue here? These are all Jesus questions,” Atema says. “These (questions) give us an opportunity to answer from a biblical perspective.”

Airlines are canceling flights to Israel and Lebanon and avoiding Iranian airspace as concerns grow of a regional war. Heart for Lebanon’s team sees Gospel opportunities amid widespread fear. “This is our Esther moment,” Atema notes.

“This is [the] time for Christians to stand up and be counted in the Middle East because there are people groups now that are wide open to the Gospel.”

Believers are committed to reaching hundreds of kids with the hope and peace of Christ.

(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)

“In September, when our Summer of Hope focus is over, we will take a number of these students and put them into our Hope Educational Center,” Atema says.

“We are full—275 students—but our team found a walk-in closet that they could turn into a classroom that could hold another 20 students.”

Can you help cover the associated costs? Connect with Heart for Lebanon here to give.

“In the south alone, 20,000 students will not probably go to school this fall. We’ve got to reach as many kids as we can,” Atema says.

Most importantly, pray. “Prayer paves the way [and] it opens doors,” Atema says. Please pray for “protection, wisdom, clarity, and creativity.”

Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.