Mideast Believers Need Prayers, Courage, Author Says
by Allie Martin
September 29, 2004
(AgapePress) - A man who spent decades taking Bibles to Christians behind the Iron Curtain is now traveling the Middle East, supporting the struggling Christian Church there.It was back in 1955 when Brother Andrew began visiting, teaching, and taking Bibles to Christians in Soviet Bloc nations. That work developed into Open Doors International, a ministry that takes the scriptures to Christians in persecuted nations.
Christian writer Al Janssen has co-authored a book with Brother Andrew titled Light Force, which highlights the missionary's efforts to support Middle Eastern Christians. The book contains stories of believers throughout the region who are taking a public stand for Christ.
But Janssen says recent violence in the Middle East has prompted many believers to flee. He notes, "The population of Christians was about 15 percent when Israel became a country in 1948. Today, it's less than 2 percent."
The co-author of Light Force says if the Church is to be the light in the midst of darkness for the Middle East, then it must have a presence there. "So one of the things that people need to be praying for is that Christians won't run away from the conflict," he says.
Janssen points out that the violent conflict in the Middle East is rooted in a spiritual battle. "This is a war that's not going to be won with guns or bombs," he says. "It's not going to be solved politically. We need to realize it is a spiritual battle, and let's get involved in that spiritual battle with the one thing all of us can do, and that's pray."
The author acknowledges that those prayers for eventual peace in the Middle East -- and for the immediate fortitude and faith of Church members there in the midst of conflict -- are needed continually. He says it is unfortunate that many believers have fled the area instead of staying and letting their light shine for Christ.
