Open Doors Provides Spiritual and Practical Support to Syrian Christians

Apr 18 2012

“But now, this is what the LORD says...When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you…For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Despite the ceasefire agreed by UN negotiators, the situation in Homs is miserable and the outlook for Christians remains desperate. Ninety per cent of Christians have fled the city to Damascus and the surrounding villages, although a few pastors have stayed on and continue to hold services.

Reports are being received that Christians in Syria are being threatened just for being Christians. One Christian said, "The last months there has been some violence against Christians, apparently targeting them because of their religion. We heard of flyers being distributed, saying that Christians should participate in the protests or later 'pay the price.'"

Many believers are finding strength in their faith. They try to keep their attitude positive and trust that God has an answer and will bring peace again. "The church is praying non-stop," commented one of the pastors in the capital. "What will happen next? Only God knows the answer, but the church is definitely standing in the gap, praying."

Christians wonder what will happen if a new government comes to power. Echoing the questions on many people's lips one Christian asked , "In Iraq hundreds of thousands of Christians left that country due to all the violence targeting them. But where will a Syrian exodus lead to? Which country will welcome hundreds of thousands of Christian refugees?"

Open Doors and its partners are working on the ground over the next three months to provide emergency relief to desperate families who have fled their homes. Relief packs, trauma counseling and other provisions, including a family Bible, are being distributed through local church networks based in Damascus, Aleppo and other centers.

Father, we lift up Christians in Syria who are left in desperate circumstances, praying for an end to the killing, bombing and kidnapping and for peace to come to this land. We pray for the thousands of Christians who have fled their homes, that You will provide them with shelter, food and everything they need for life. We especially lift up the church leaders that You would grant them Your strength and wisdom to those who have remained in Homs; may they be a light to their communities. In the name of Jesus who is the light of the world, Amen.

Comments

Bishop Doye Agama
May 09 2012 on 10:38

Thank you for being one of the few Christian groups in the "Western World" who have refused to forget our suffering brothers and sisters in Syria. Thank you for offering them spiritual and practical support. God bless and strengthen you as you serve HIM, in Jesus Name, AMEN.
kefelegn sahle
Jul 04 2012 on 01:44

Dear Christian Friends, Greetings,in the sweet name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming very soon, A lot of things are urgent, some things are important, but one is the top priority proclaiming Jesus to the un reached people of the world. There are so many vital things that contribute to helping, blessing, teaching and serving the body of Christ. However, if the church, the people of God forgets the great commission of Jesus to go in to the entire world and preach the gospel, we will miss our purpose to being in the earth. It will take the entire body of Christ working together to fulfill the great commission, that’s why I am sending you this e-mail. We need Amharic and English Bible and you can suport our wor with financial. If you want partnering with us please contact me: KEFELEGN SAHLE, P.O BOX 260, ZEWAY, ETHIOPIA, kefelegns@yahoo.com , hhpkefelegn@gmail.com , Tel: (251)912189048. In His Service Kefelegn Sahle OUR FAITH STATEMENT God 1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. The Bible 2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. The Human Condition 3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed. Jesus Christ 4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. The Work of Christ 5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. The Holy Spirit 6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. The Church 7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. Christian Living 8. We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. Christ’s Return 9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. Response and Eternal Destiny 10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.