Operation World:
Middle East – Millions of people currently affected. Because of differing definitions, UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) counted 27.1 million refugees in 2022 and 89 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. 42% of them are under 18 years old. Were these displaced to form a country, it would be the 17th most populous in the world! Recently, most refugees have come from Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Myanmar. Nearly 7 million Syrians - more than 1/3 of its population – are refugees. 5.4 million Ukrainians and 4.6 million Venezuelans have fled their respective countries. War and conflict in Afghanistan and Myanmar have newly displaced millions more. Africa continues to be wracked by many civil conflicts, Islamist violence, and epidemics. These have combined to generate huge numbers of refugees. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/12-26, 26th Dec 2024 – Operation World)
Uruguay – Uruguay is the most secular society in South America. While much positive progress came in areas like political transparency, equality, and economic development, modern developments like the legalization of abortion, same–sex marriage, and cannabis use came as well. Uruguay’s rates of depression, suicide, and abortion are some of the highest on the continent. Most Uruguayans follow a “do-it-yourself” spirituality influenced by New Age ideas. The nation is 55% Catholic (the lowest in Spanish–speaking Latin America), and only 2% attend mass. Afro–Brazilian Spiritism attracts many people. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/12-12/ 12th Dec 2024 – Operation World)
United Arab Emirates – Oil wealth transformed much of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from a poor, rural region to a haven and playground for the world’s ultra rich. Now it branches out to business and finance, as well as tourism. While those at the top live with incredible wealth, millions of migrant labourers often work in terrible conditions for low pay. Injustice, human rights violations, and human trafficking are significant challenges. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/12-03/ 3rd Dec 2024 – Operation World)
Thailand – Thai Christians remain around 1% of the population, even after 400 years of missionary work. Most of Thailand’s churches are small (30-50 members). More than 6,000 of Thailand’s 7,415 sub-districts have no church! Nearly half of Protestants come from tribal groups (less than 5% of Thailand’s population), and not ethnic Thais. A lack of Thai leadership in the churches is one reason for slow church growth. Praise God that national leaders now have a bold goal to reach every one of Thailand’s 80,000 villages and neighbourhoods with the gospel! (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/11-19 /, 19th NOV 2024 – Operation World)
Russia – The stability in Africa’s most failed state remains depressingly elusive. Somalia now has a parliament and recognized national leaders after 20 years without an effective central government. But the militant Islamist group Al-Shabaab (linked to Al-Qaeda) still controls much of southern and central Somalia, and continues to hold influence in rural areas. Although it no longer contests control of Mogadishu, it continues murderous bombing attacks there, and in neighboring countries. It even battles against the Islamic State for “terrorist primacy” in the Puntland area. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/10-29/, 29th OCT 2024 – Operation World)
Russia – We see that the North Caucasus region is the poorest and least stable region in Russia. It has the highest unemployment, the highest birth rates, and widespread corruption. The region’s 7 republics contain 50 to 60 ethnic groups of Caucasus, Turkic, and Iranian origin. The North Caucasus peoples are among the least reached on earth, and they live in Europe’s least–evangelized region. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/10-15, 15th OCT 2024 – Operation World)
Paraguay – We thank the Lord for evangelical church growth. Pentecostal/charismatic churches from Brazil, Chile, and Argentina especially grew well. We pray for Christian unity and collaboration among many different evangelical denominations. An association of pastors works to promote national strategies to evangelize the whole country, and to assist isolated rural churches. We pray that local churches will embrace the challenge of the unreached and needy within Paraguay and beyond. Workers planted churches among many of the 21 indigenous Amerindian groups. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/10-01/, 1st OCT 2024 – Operation World)
Hong Kong – The massive protests of 2019 seem a distant memory as Beijing’s grip on Hong Kong has relentlessly squeezed out all effective opposition to its control. Hong Kong’s Christians now must be equipped to survive and thrive under the shadow of the Communist Party. Divisions in the Church over the protests and associated politics need to be healed and believers need to be reconciled. Although the setbacks to Hong Kong’s freedoms can be discouraging, believers in China itself have demonstrated that the flame of the gospel cannot be snuffed out by even the most brutal oppression. (Reported in – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/04-20/, 20th April – Operation World)
Asian/World Prayer News:
Vietnamese churches rejoice in new brothers and sister after crusade –
An evangelistic outreach in Vietnam earlier this month was full of surprises. The first surprise was that it was even allowed to happen. Vietnam is a staunchly Communist nation where Buddhism is prevalent. “We do believe that in this case, God opened the hearts of the official to give us permission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to people,” says a man we’ll call Pastor Loc, who served as an interpreter at the crusade. The second joyful surprise was the impact of the two nights of outreach, despite rain the second night. “There were over 24,000 people attending the crusade, and over 2,200 people received Jesus Christ,” says Pastor Loc. “Praise the Lord for that!”
We praise God for those who opened their hearts to accept Jesus Christ and pray for new believers to “grow in their faith in Jesus Christ,” says Pastor Loc. We pray for Vietnamese Christians as they celebrate what God has done this month + move forward into faithful discipling of one another. We ask God to bless and direct local church outreaches this month around Christmas & for them to make Jesus known.(Reported by Katie O'Malley, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/vietnamese-churches-rejoice-in-new-christian-brothers-and-sisters-after-crusade/ 18th Dec 2024 – Mission News Network)
U.S. government passes bill to promote human rights and freedom… in North Korea –
On November 20, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023 passed in the House of Representatives. Now it’s in the Senate. If it passes there, it will reauthorize and update a piece of legislature from 2004 (with practically the same name) intended to promote human rights in North Korea, among other related items. Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says the bill is largely symbolic, despite some practical calls within it to reunifying families. “It’s hard to say that it means a lot, because the North Korean regime is obviously not checking with the U.S. government before they persecute Christians, before they persecute their own people,” he says. “This bill first passed in 2004 and North Korea hasn’t changed much since then. That answers [the] question, ‘How much do they (North Korean leaders) care?’”
“It’s in the interest of the government for Christianity to be shut down. That is because the government is built on this idea – they call it the philosophy of juche, or self reliance. But it is built on the idea that members of the Kim family are divine beings,” Nettleton says. “Children in kindergarten are taught before you sit down to a meal to say, ‘Thank you, Father Kim Il-Sung, for our food,’ Kim Il–Sung, the founder of North Korea, the grandfather of the current leader of North Korea.” The idea that Christianity is a Western religion is not actually the key reason behind persecution. “The key fact is Christianity is treason, because if you say that Jesus is Lord, if you pray to Jesus, then you’re saying Kim Il–Sung is not Lord.” Yet the gospel is reaching North Korea!
We praise God for how He is preserving and building His church in North Korea. We pray for the North Korean regime, for them to encounter Christ, “for their hearts to be changed and for that to [ultimately] change the way our Christian brothers and sisters in North Korea are treated,” says Nettleton. (Reported by Katie O’Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/u-s-government-passes-bill-to-promote-human-rights-and-freedom-in-north-korea/ – 5th DEC 2024 – Mission News Network)
India’s FCRA intensifies scrutiny of Christian ministries – Christian ministries in India are grappling with mounting challenges as the Indian government expands its application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). This law governs the receipt of foreign funds by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and has become increasingly restrictive, particularly for Christian groups accused of illegal religious conversion activities. John Pudaite, President of Bibles For The World (BFTW), says, “The [Indian] government came out for the first time with a blanket statement saying that any organization that has been involved in illegal activities will not be renewed, and this includes illegal religious conversion activities.”
In 2021, organizations were required to submit FCRA renewal applications by the end of December. Nearly three years later, thousands of renewal cases are still open and awaiting a decision. The tightening FCRA restrictions could harm these cases. “Out of the 3,000 or so cases that are still pending, I would estimate that 80–90% of those are Christian churches and ministries,” Pudaite says.
We pray for Christians especially for those involved in running organizations that have been receiving foreign contribution to be strong through this time; as the government looks at these applications as objectively + see the good work that is being done by so many organizations here that are benefiting the poor [and] disadvantaged people here. We also pray for the Indian government to quickly and fairly review FCRA applications & for God to further BFTW's Gospel impact in India, and for Christian ministries in India to be encouraged as they work.
(Reported by Lyndsey Koh, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/indias-fcra-intensifies-scrutiny-of-christian-ministries/ – 3rd DEC 2024 – Mission News Network)
India – The Indian government is ramping up enforcement of an act restricting foreign funding for NGOs, putting many Christian organizations at risk of being expelled from the country. In the last two years, more than 100 organizations have seen their licenses revoked. Approximately 16,000 licensed NGOs operate in India. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act ensures that funds donated to these organizations are not used for political contributions or illegal activities. But according to Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs, what used to be a simple registration process for non-profits has recently become a tool for government targeting.
Enforcement has been increasing since 2014 when the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power. Many prominent Christian organizations, including Compassion International, Center for Policy Research, Voluntary Health Association of India, and the Evangelical Fellowship of India have already had their licenses revoked. Others face scrutiny and charges that range from embezzlement or corrupt financial practices to illegal religious conversion activities. We pray for ministry leaders to have wisdom and discernment as they navigate applications and conversations with government officials + for Prime Minister Modi and the Hindu Nationalist Party to come to Christ. We pray that ministries to be allowed to continue their work.
(Reported by Abigail Hofland, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/christian-organizations-in-india-face-increased-restrictions/ – 26th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Mongolia – Mongolia held its parliamentary elections in June. Last month, local governments had their turn. The nation of just 3.4 million people is sandwiched between Russia and China. It was a Communist nation for over six decades leading up to the 1990s when it transitioned to a democracy. More than 8,000 local government seats were up for voting in the October elections. The results? The Mongolian People’s Party, an ex-Communist party, keeps its majority. “Out of 21 provinces in Mongolia, they won in 14 provinces, and out of nine districts in the city, they won in eight districts,” Chinzo* with A3 Mongolia says.
We pray for religious freedom – having more official recognition and favour from the state government for the churches to function freely “without fighting persecution,” says Chinzo. We pray for God to raise Mongolian men to rise up + be strong in their faith and serve God citing the lack of men in leadership in the Mongolian church, which Chinzo also says & for God to move powerfully in their nation. We pray for God’s Will to be fulfilled as Christians look for favour instead of opposition from their government. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/elections-and-religious-freedom-in-mongolia/14th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Mexico – Mexico’s constitution guarantees religious freedom. But evangelical Christians don’t always see it lived out. Persecution happens on a community level. An article from WORLD in June 2024 reported on Christians north of Mexico City who driven out of their homes for not participating in local religious rituals. Persecution also happens on a government level, as Alejandro and Nayeli Vieyra know. The Vieyras serve with Radio Encuentro Internacional (in English, Radio Encounter), a partner of Trans World Radio in Mexico. We pray for God to soften “the hearts of the Catholics to understand that by law there is [religious] freedom in Mexico,” says Nayeli; and for the radio team to find a strategy to be able to share their faith in a way that doesn’t brings any problem that can lead to the revoking of our licenses in other places. We also pray for God to give Radio Encounter favour with stations around Mexico. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/religious-freedom-realities-in-mexico-today/ 7th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Myanmar – Last Sunday, October 27, marked one year since three rebel groups in Myanmar united to launch an offensive against the ruling junta. The operation shifted the balance of power in the nation, but there’s still no end in sight to the civil war that began after the 2021 coup. Civilians and targeted ethnic groups continue to suffer greatly. According to a September report, more than 5,300 civilians have been killed and over 3 million displaced since February 2021. That doesn’t mean things are hopeless. Ed Weaver with Spoken Worldwide offers a snapshot of their team of local Bible translators who live life with resilience. We pray for the translation team to see God’s Word reach their people with salvation in this devastation, and for them to see fruit from the work of their ministry, that they’ll be encouraged by seeing what the Word of God does, for team to bring the Word of God to their community faithfully, consistently – reaching their people. We pray for a peaceful resolution in Myanmar to deep seated violence. We praise God for gospel workers around the world who push through obstacles to bring God's Word into new languages. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/in-year-three-of-myanmars-civil-war-bible-translators-work-from-unlikely-places/ – 28th OCT 2024 – Mission News Network)
Indonesia – We thank God for Indonesia as it welcomes its newly elected 8th President, Mr Prabowo Subianto + his Vice–President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and for God to give them + their newly appointed cabinet the wisdom and strength to foster political stability and elevate Indonesia’s presence on the global stage, as they navigate through the challenging economic landscapes. We also pray for enduring friendship between Singapore and Indonesia that as both leaders cultivate a partnership marked by unity and mutual support in our region & how the new administration will respond to their presence in the Muslim majority nation of more than 280 million especially among the Christians. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/in-response-to-opposition-indonesian-believers-pray-for-open-doors/ – 25th Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
North Korea – Threats and postures of intimidation are nothing new coming from North Korea. But this time, the hermit nation is throwing weight behind its words. North Korea recently blew up parts of roads and rail lines connecting to South Korea and built blockades. “This is a real change in relationships between North and South Korea,” says Eric Foley with The Voice of the Martyrs Korea. “Since the inception of the countries and the end of the Korean War, North Korea has always had, as its stated goal, the reunification of the Korean peninsula under North Korean leadership, the leadership of the Kim family. As evidenced by the severed cross-border ties, Foley says, “Now North Korea has changed that goal…. It no longer wants to reunite with South Korea. It says it’s a separate country, a separate people, an alien group, a puppet of the United States, and something that is outside of North Korea’s goals for the future.” At the same time, North Korea has sent troops to Russia, possibly to fight in Ukraine. With the potential for North Korean troops to come back with modern combat experience, it’s significantly straining relations with South Korea.
We pray against a spirit of fear, both on the part of the ordinary people – the North and South Korean people – the governments of those two countries &Christians too. We ask God to open doors for the Gospel into North Korea, and to ultimately change hearts through salvation in Jesus Christ & for the peace of Christ to change hearts.
(Reported by Lyndsey Koh, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/tensions-rising-as-north-korea-blows-up-south-korea-links-troops-reported-in-russia/ – 25th Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
India – After India’s general election this summer, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost its majority in the lower house of India’s Parliament. The BJP has been a leading force in India since 2014 but now must rely on several ally parties moving forward. Floyd Brobbel from Voice of the Martyrs Canada says Christian minorities hoped this change might lead to a more favorable government stance toward them. Muslims are also a minority in India. However, this change has not come yet, so caution is still the way forward. We pray for unity among the Church in India, and for the flow of their resources to be shared and received; & for wisdom for organizations that are reaching out to make a difference for Christ in India. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/india-christians-hopeful-but-cautious-after-changes-in-government/ – 23rd Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
India – The extremist Muslim group Hizb ut–Tahrir is expanding in Bangladesh and captivating more radicalized followers. Neighboring India is concerned by the group’s ISIS ties and declared it a terrorist organization last week. The growing threat of terrorist organizations in India is heightened by unchecked migration and religious conflicts. Indeed, John Pudaite with Bibles For The World says, “Bangladesh shares a very long border with India, and it is notoriously porous. There’s so much traffic between Bangladesh into India, and we have seen just a tremendous rise of illegal immigration into India. I know the fear will be that, along with that immigration of Bangladeshis, predominantly Muslim, there will be a rise in this sort of radical Islamic group.” With rising religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims in both India and Bangladesh, Christians can be caught in the middle as easy targets.
Bibles For The World seeks to catalyze cultural change by providing God’s Word in countries like India. They focus especially on unreached people groups and regions with little access to Scripture. India is one of the most unreached places in the world with 1.3 billion people who’ve never heard the Gospel. We ask God to reveal biblical truth to people in India and Bangladesh + for radicalized youth to have visions of Jesus and choose to follow Him. We pray for the people of India and Bangladesh to reject extremism and seek Christ & for God to strengthen the faith of minority believers in India.
(Reported by Lyndsey Koh, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/india-labels-new-terror-group/– 18th OCT 2024 – Mission News Network)
Russia – As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the nuclear threat looms larger. Recently, Russia hinted at loosening its nuclear policy, raising the nuclear threat for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The United States and other Western countries have provided Ukraine with longer-range missiles, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking for the green light to use these weapons to hit strategic Russian targets.
Eric Mock from Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) explains, “He (Putin) would consider that a red line where weaponry that was used to hit deeper inside Russia that came from these developed Western nations would in fact signal that, de facto, these nations were, in a sense, in a war with Russia, and He would respond as though the Western nations were directly assaulting Russia.” We pray for Christians in Russia and Ukraine to keep their eyes fixed on the Gospel, and for God to bless + strengthen the unity in the Body of Christ. We thank the Lord for SGA's continued faithful service in the Slavic nations. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/back-to-back-storms-batter-shanghai – 1st OCT 2024 – Mission News Network)
International – Gospel workers, churches and ministries across the world will have a new tool in their hands before long. The Jesus Film Project’s fully animated film of the life of Jesus is underway even as the original 1979 film still reaches multitudes today. We pray for relationships and plans as Jesus Film Project is forming now for effective use of the new JESUS film. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/ai-may-accelerate-translations-for-new-animated-jesus-film/ – 27th Sept 2024 – Mission News Network)
Middle East Crisis:
Al Qaeda seeks to put Syrian Christians in the crosshairs – Al Qaeda is calling on the Syrian rebels to use their new power to target minority Christians. MegaVoice’s Darrel Templeton says, “We know that the rebels don’t look favorably upon Christians and they’re trying to set up a caliphate. So we, Christians, are seen to be the infidels and the enemy to such a regime. So they are, unfortunately, going to be targeted, I think; perhaps even worse.”
Years ago, MegaVoice worked with Free Burma Rangers to get audio Bibles into Syria, and also distributed them to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Templeton says, “We do know that many of those who have received audio Bibles who were in Lebanon in the refugee camps there have gone back to Syria thinking that was safer.” That was before the rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took power.
HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) has positioned himself to the world as a moderate. But is it enough reassurance for those Syrian Christians to stay? “We need to be praying for our dear brothers and sisters,” Templeton urges, “that they will be bold, that they will be salt and light in their communities and their families, and that the Lord will allow them to share the Good News with many more.”
The context of Christmas approaching is especially poignant for Syrian believers living the Gospel at this time. Templeton shares, “I was mindful of that verse this morning [when] the angel said to the shepherds that this (Jesus’s birth) is tidings or ‘good news’ for all people – and that even means to those in Syria.” We pray for wisdom to be upon Syrian believers, & we ask God to lead Muslims in Syria to the truth of Jesus Christ. We pray for open doors to the Gospel despite potential persecution. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/al-qaeda-seeks-to-put-syrian-christians-in-the-crosshairs/– 19th DEC 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel, In the Middle East wars, God’s Kingdom still knows no boundaries – This month Amnesty International released a report contending that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. It’s not the first time this idea has been pushed forward and sharply disputed. Tom Doyle with Uncharted Ministries says mainstream media narratives push us to choose sides: Israelis or Palestinians? Jews or Muslims? Yet there’s another option for followers of Christ — indeed, more than an option but a divine allegiance.
“For believers, it’s dangerous to take our worldview from the news, because we’re the Body of Christ. We belong to the Kingdom of God, and there are bigger things going on than this war.” Uncharted Ministries works with believers across the lines drawn in the Middle East. Doyle says that even in the devastation today, Jews and Muslims are coming to Christ. We pray for peace for all people affected by the Middle East conflicts, and pray for one more surge of global awakening to the gospel! (Reported by Katie O'Malley – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/in-the-middle-east-wars-gods-kingdom-still-knows-no-boundaries/ – 18th DEC 2024 – Mission News Network)
Lebanese Christians carry on Christmas celebrations despite regional instability – Despite unfolding crises across the Middle East, Pierre Houssney of Horizons International says the Lebanese church is carrying on its work. Through the instability of recent days, the evangelical church is standing up boldly and crossing ethnic boundaries to help other people and share the gospel, Houssney explains. Horizons recently hosted a Christmas event at the middle east center for world missions in Beirut.
Despite the Muslim cultural climate, Houssney feels the Christmas literacy in Lebanon is higher than in the United States. We pray for the ministry of Horizons International, as staff and fellow believers reach out to the surrounding community this Christmas. We pray that Lebanese Muslims would be open to the Gospel, and for the ongoing political conflicts to drive many souls to Christ. We also pray that believers in Lebanon would see and take witnessing opportunities. (Reported by Abigail Hofland – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/lebanese-christians-carry-on-christmas-celebrations-despite-regional-instability/– 17th DEC 2024 – Mission News Network)
Syrian Christians express fear over transition government – Syria’s new interim prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, has called all Syrian refugees to return. He promises freedom and protection for all people and sects. However, some Syrians aren’t willing to bank their lives on mere words yet. Neighboring Lebanon hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says many who were against the fallen regime will go back. Some already have. Yet, Nuna puts things in perspective, referencing the power shift in Afghanistan in 2021. “The Taliban did this. They promised things and they promised changes, but then we saw what happened.” However, Triumphant Mercy Lebanon has paused its work in Syria but still maintains contact with local believers.
We pray that God’s will be done & for Him to give Syrian Christians wisdom and encouragement + for these events do not spill over and rouse dormant terrorist cells in Lebanon. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/syrian-christians-express-fear-over-transition-government/ – 12th Dec 2024 – Mission News Network)
Syrians brace for future with a new PM, other nations stepping toward the fray – Events in fragile Syria continue to unfold at a furious pace. Two days after the Assad regime fell, the rebels who toppled it have named a new transitional prime minister. Other nations have taken one step closer to the fray. Since Sunday, Israel has launched more than 300 airstrikes on weapons stockpiles and military infrastructure in Syria. It also has seized “temporary” control of a buffer zone between the two nations.
Türkiye and other nations have denounced Israel’s actions, while the UK and US are more supportive of Israel’s security concerns. Türkiye’s precise involvement in the events of the past two weeks is unclear, but it’s of course deeply interested in what happens in Syria. It has also had troops in northern Syria since 2016. Meanwhile the US has itself carried out strikes this week on more than 75 Islamic State targets in Syria. We pray for Jesus to make Himself known in the midst of the unfolding chaos. We pray for Syria and for boldness for the underground church.
(Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/syrians-brace-for-future-with-a-new-pm-other-nations-stepping-toward-the-fray/ – 11th Dec 2024 – Mission News Network)
NATO does not issue invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance’ – NATO has stated that Ukraine’s eventual membership in the military alliance is “irreversible.” However, there is still “no consensus” among NATO members’ foreign ministers on when that invitation will come. At the NATO meeting in Brussels last week (December 3– 4), its members discussed the Russia-Ukraine war and elements of the conflicts in the Middle East. They promised continued support to Ukraine, but beyond that, there was no invitation. One unnamed US personnel suggested Ukraine lower its conscription age from 25 to 18 years. But a Ukrainian official said they lack supplies to support the soldiers they already have. With a clear underlying message, he said they won’t compensate with the lives of their youngest men for their partners’ slowness in deciding to send military supplies.
How is this context impacting the Ukrainian church?
“According to the vice president of the Ukrainian Baptist union, there’s 300 to 400 pastors or deacons who are all engaged on the frontlines,” says Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association (SGA). Some pastors are chaplains or medics; others serve in logistics. Mock says while many are pacifists, some choose to take up arms. “Regardless of whether they are pacifist or not, they count it a privilege to serve for their country,” he says. “But then, at a personal level, we have to understand that a lot of these men are married and they have little kids.” Further conscription would increase a heavy strain on believers, “because the churches are already struggling to make sure they can minister to those that are coming to these churches,” Mock says. We pray that Ukrainian pastors will have a deep sense of God’s presence wherever they go. We pray for their families and churches left behind to continue in faithful gospel ministry + for God to raise more leaders to shepherd the churches. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/nato-punts-invitation-for-ukraine-to-join-the-alliance/ – 9th Dec 2024 – Mission News Network)
Ceasefire in Lebanon and war in Syria are interconnected – It’s been nine days of a strained ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Now Lebanon is watching a surge of conflict in neighbouring Syria. “There is another part of this ceasefire that I don’t think a lot of people talk about. Even though it’s not connected, it is connected: the fighting up in the province of Aleppo in Syria,” says Tom Atema with Heart for Lebanon. “Hezbollah used to be up there quite heavily, but they put a lot of their soldiers out, moved them to southern Lebanon to fight with Israel, and left a vacuum.” Rebel groups took the chance to push against the Syrian regime of Bashar al–Assad yet again. They launched a surprise offensive in Aleppo on the very same day the Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire took effect.
It’s developed into the most significant change in the Syrian war’s frontlines since 2020. Today rebels led by the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al–Sham control Aleppo and Hama, two of Syria’s largest cities, and many miles of surrounding territory. Hezbollah has declared support for the Syrian government against the rebel forces, referring to them as “terrorist groups.”One analyst says the rebel’s next attempt will probably be to take over Homs, a key crossroads city less than 25 miles from the Lebanon border.
“[The conflict] is making the potential of a lot of Christian Syrians coming into Lebanon, [fleeing] the violence there. So we’ve geared up for maybe 100 to 200 families that we think might be coming our way in the next week or two,” Atema says.
Heart for Lebanon has distributed humanitarian aid in a relational, gospel–centered way for the past year of war and beyond. “We provide most everything they (refugees) need to start that new life [in Lebanon]. That starts to build their dignity back. It starts to build trust in who we are and what we stand for. Ultimately, and very shortly, [it] draws us into a conversation to build a relationship with them,” Atema says. “Then a gospel message is presented later on when appropriate.”
We pray for wisdom and Spirit–led conversations for the Heart for Lebanon team. We pray for the ministry as they reach out to those who have been displaced. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/ceasefire-in-lebanon-and-war-in-syria-are-interconnected/ – 6th Dec 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel, while Israel’s military faces challenges, believers in the IDF offer hope – On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants accused them of war crimes in the war in Gaza following the Hamas–led October 7 attacks. The ICC’s move underscores international scrutiny on Israel’s military, which faces the complexities of fighting a terrorist organization that embeds itself among civilians. As the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) navigate the challenges of war, the stories of individual soldiers offer a unique perspective.
We pray for Gospel opportunities in Israel and the military, as we ask God to encourage believers in Israel representing Christ. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/while-israels-military-faces-challenges-christian-soldiers-offer-hope/– 22nd NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Lebanon – We thank God for the ceasefire deal, brokered by the U.S. and France, that took effect on 27th November, ending more than a year of hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. It has been reported that under the agreement, officials anticipate a 60–day period in which the Israeli army will withdraw troops from key positions, handing them over to the Lebanese army. If Hezbollah attempts to reestablish ground near the border, the Lebanese army will be responsible for dealing with the threat. Israel reserves the right to strike if no action is taken. This would be done in coordination with and under approval from the US, Houssney says.
Nearly 3,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023, when Hezbollah first fired rockets into Israel. Israel has been conducting airstrikes in response and launched a ground invasion on October 1st of this year. Since September, Israeli forces have targeted and killed at least seven of Hezbollah’s top leaders, destabilizing the group. “We do get the sense that the Hezbollah operatives that are sending missiles are not under central command, Houssney says. As such, the flow of weaponry to Hezbollah has ceased or heavily dwindled under the Israeli offensive, but the group is still able to operate from hidden stashes of missile reserves. We pray for God “to work in the hearts of people and use the church that’s present here in the Middle East to make the biggest Gospel impact that we can in the midst of the crisis” Houssney says. We also pray for believers to shine forth the Gospel in the midst of crisis among the people who had been displaced by the conflict. We pray for peace and cessation of aggression + for members of Hezbollah to be transformed by the Gospel.(Reported by Abigail Hofland, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/lebanese-christians-hopeful-a-ceasefire-will-materialize/ – 27th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
MENA – More than a year into the war between Israel and Hamas and Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah, the losses are staggering. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 44,000 people. In Lebanon, it’s above 3,500. Fadi Sharaiha with the MENA Leadership Center reminds us that followers of Christ aren’t on an island, removed from these tragedies. “The church is a reflection of the community. So the church is also going through those things, the church is also suffering, the church is also reflecting, ‘Are [we] doing the right thing? What do [we] need to do?’” he says.
Sometimes they do know how to respond. People in Beirut are receiving families who have fled from southern Lebanon. Many of these displaced people are Shia Muslims, the same branch of Islam as Hezbollah. Sharaiha says churches are among those helping to shelter these families. But sometimes they don’t know how to respond. As churches wrestle with ever–evolving needs, the weight of leadership only increases. That’s why the MENA Leadership Center is organizing multiple local trainings across the region. In 2025, two more courses will be offered. We pray for those on the MENA Leadership team as they connect with believers in the region + for safety and effective communication. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/churches-in-the-mena-region-wrestle-with-how-to-respond-to-crises/ – 25th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel – Much of Israel has been turned to rubble in the aftermath of warfare and missile strikes. The people who live there have had their homes and communities decimated. In a land rich with culture and history, the future looks uncertain. As the world watches headlines, Life In Messiah is on the ground. They have their own legacy – they’ve been showing Jesus’ mercy to the Jewish people for over a century. That means they’re in a position to help communities they’ve already poured into for generations. We pray for people looking for answers in war–torn Israel. We thank God for the work and legacy of Life In Messiah. We ask God to work miracles in the hearts of people battling addiction.
(Reported by Alex Anhalt, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/service-in-israel-loving-those-who-live-amongst-the-rubble/– 20th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Lebanon – Israeli strikes in Lebanon are leaving deep scars on the most vulnerable. Since October 2023, at least 3,100 people have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Today an estimated 1.2 million are displaced. In the six weeks since the conflict escalated in late September, 100 children have lost their lives and hundreds more have been injured, according to one article from AP News.The Heart for Lebanon team is trained to work with children and share encouragement in whatever time they have together. On a recent outreach, the team noticed a 15–year-old Muslim girl who trembled at any loud noise. It turns out she had nearly been killed by shelling while out in the fields. We pray for Heart for Lebanon to have many opportunities to help children and their families meet Jesus, the true source of peace. We pray that the Middle East will seek and see Jesus. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/war-in-lebanon-the-ones-who-suffer-the-most-are-children/– 13th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Lebanon – On Monday, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said more than 3,000 people have been killed in the past 13 months of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes in eastern and central Lebanon killed at least 70 more. Of Lebanon’s 5.8 million people, 1.2 million are estimated to be displaced today. Heart for Lebanon’s two ministry centers are well positioned in southern Lebanon and in a town called Zahleh in the Bekaa Valley. Their team distributes clothing, blankets, and other aid to displaced families and individuals. We pray that more of the Middle East will open to the gospel + for men, women and children to find peace with God through Christ, and then peace with each other. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/ministry-to-the-displaced-in-lebanon-as-death-toll-crosses-3000/ – 8th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Iran – As of Friday, Iran’s retaliation for Israel’s October 26 missile strikes on Iranian military sites was only a promise to come. The nation’s leaders have declared their response will be strong when it does come. Truly, this conflict is intensifying. Lana Silk with Transform Iran helps us take a step back and recognize the human and spiritual aspects present in the midst of it.“As Christians, the first thing we need to remember are people. Not the rules, not the politics, just people. [We need to] be praying, as the Lord would have us pray, for people,” Silk says. “[For] people in Israel, people in Iran, who are going to pay for all of this, even though they didn’t start it and they’re not going to get to finish it.” We pray that people in Israel and Iran will find hope in Jesus Christ as their Savior + for protection for human lives as the Israel–Iran conflict intensifies & for God’s will to be done. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/behind-the-israel-iran-conflict-human-and-spiritual-realities-at-stake/ – 4th NOV 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel – Following Israel’s targeted strike on Iran’s air defense and missile systems over the weekend, US Middle East adviser Amos Hochstein says, “Iran is essentially naked.” With critical military infrastructure down, it significantly weakened Iran’s ability to defend itself from further strikes or carry out more attacks on Israel. The war with Iran and its terror proxies is Israel’s longest war since the end of the 1949 conflict; for “we’re not used to having such a long war, so for us, it’s a new challenge,” says Pochtar. “It’s a really hard situation. We feel that we’re getting really tired of being so long in the field. But we understand the cause, and we understand that what we do is necessary because, if not us, who will do it?”
In war and conflict, especially when it’s drawn out, civilians and military members alike ask spiritual questions and search for hope. We pray for the people of Israel to know the sustaining promises of Jesus Christ + for God to encourage Israeli Christians in their Gospel witness, and for IDF military members asking spiritual questions to encounter the Gospel through Christians. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/israels-strike-on-iran-sends-a-message-as-the-conflict-drags-on/, 31st Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
Iran – Early on Saturday, Israel finally carried out its promise of retaliation for Iran’s October 1 missile attack. Israel’s airstrikes focused on military and radar facilities in Iran. It was Israel’s first open attack on Iran in its history. It is believed that international leaders are calling for de–escalation and restraint. At first glance, it seems like it might be possible. For example, rather than announce its full assessment of Saturday’s strikes, Israel is classifying that information. Iran’s media has also chosen to downplay the damage from the attack. We pray that God's will to be done in the Middle East + for the church in Israel to raise awareness about real issues impacting the spread of the gospel in the Middle East. (Reported by Katie O’Malley– https://www.mnnonline.org/news/another-escalation-in-israel-and-irans-conflict-a-call-for-prayer-and-action/, 29th Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel/Gaza – Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader and mastermind of last year’s brutal October 7th attack on Israel, was confirmed dead by the Israeli Defense Forces on Thursday. Sinwar was killed in an IDF military operation in Gaza. Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “This is the beginning of the day after Hamas. Evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet complete.” There are still 101 hostages from Israel held in Gaza. Some may even be held by other terror groups in connection with Hamas. Sinwar often hindered the negotiation process and had little interest in talks with Israel, according to both the United States and IDF. We pray for peace in the region and for both Israelis and Palestinians to know Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We ask God to use local Christians to proclaim biblical truth and make disciples in Christ, even in the midst of ongoing conflict. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/yahya-sinwar-october-7th-mastermind-eliminated-by-idf-what-now/, 22nd Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
Jordan – Jordan’s foreign minister recently pushed the UN Security Council to hit Israel with a weapons embargo. Yet, two weeks ago, Jordan shot down several Iranian missiles headed toward Israel. It’s the latest demonstration of the hot-and-cold relationship between Israel and Jordan. The two nations have had a formal peace treaty since 1994. At times, they coordinate on security issues, and Jordan even depends on Israel for natural resources. Samuel with Redemptive Stories explains, “A large portion of our drinking water in Jordan comes from Israel – so from desalination plants that are in the Mediterranean that pump water over to us for us to survive.” Yet the Jordan-Israel relationship is also strained. The Jordanian government has often criticized Israel in the wars with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Additionally, Jordan has a large Palestinian refugee population. And with many Arab countries normalizing relations with Israel, “The Palestinians, in particular, as well as some other countries…wanted that to not occur, particularly Iran, in order to continue to keep the undertones of hatred towards Israel. But more and more Arab countries historically than ever before to this point are wanting to normalize relationships with Israel in order to bring about peace.” Despite complex political relations, Samuel says the Lord is at work through the local Church in Jordan.
We pray for the people of Jordan to seek peace in Christ + for Jordanian Christians to be ministers of God’s healing and hope. (Reported by Lyndsey Koh – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/how-jordans-hot-and-cold-relations-with-israel-impact-the-conflict/, 17th Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
Middle East – It’s a beautiful fact that the Body of Christ looks different in different parts of the world. Freedom to Lead International comes alongside believers in the Middle East, among other places, in the unique challenges they face. Believers in the Middle East are grappling with how to lead and grow as churches in gospel witness, not just how to survive. “They are just people like you and me. They [are] mothers wanting to raise their children. They are fathers that want to be a shining light in their communities,” says Sessoms. “They are trying to understand what it is to grow a church from the grassroots when you don’t have any kind of structure.”
Freedom to Lead brings believers from different nations together for conversations that are especially poignant for believers who are from a Muslim background. “We work with them in just helping them have a shared experience of ‘what does it mean to be a leader in this context?’ They need to have a community to come together to really say, ‘Hey, how can we learn from each other on how we’re leading in this specific context that is different in this part of the world?’” Sessoms says. We pray for the building up of new believers in the Middle East, that they would find community and grow as leaders together; and for God to protect them as they are bold witnesses for Christ. (Reported by Katie O'Malley – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/believers-in-the-middle-east-are-more-than-just-the-persecuted-church/, 11th Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel – One year ago today, the world witnessed a tragedy that pierced the heart of Israel and sent shockwaves beyond its borders. On the morning of October 7th last year, Hamas– led armed groups brutally murdered over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, including women and children. Another 250 were taken hostage.
Today, 97 hostages are still in Hamas captivity, their fates unknown. This attack spurred a war with Israel that still rages today. We pray for the people of Israel to receive the comfort, hope, and salvation of Christ the Messiah. We pray for the church to stand together and to win souls for the Kingdom. We pray for families who have lost loved ones in the conflict in and around Israel, and for God to bring peace to the war–torn area in and around Israel.
(Reported by Lyndsey Koh – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/an-israeli-pastors-reflection-on-the-october-7th-anniversary/, 7th Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
Iran – Israel has promised a strong response to Iran’s direct missile attack. On Tuesday night, around 180 ballistic missiles rained down on Israeli cities. Most were intercepted by Israel’s multilayered air defense systems, but some rockets got through and caused unspecified damage and at least one death. Despite the political stance Iran is projecting, there’s a divided narrative within the nation. While there were televised celebrations on the streets this week, others mourned the step toward full–blown war. We pray for God to bring a swift end to fighting between Iran & Israel, for the salvation of people in Iran and in Israel, as they’re now one step closer to an unwanted war. (Reported by Katie O'Malley, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/irans-political-stance-defiant-but-a-divided-narrative-within/, 4th Oct 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel – Yesterday, Israel hit southern Beirut in Lebanon with airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters. The move comes days after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. Hezbollah has also continued to shoot rockets over Israel’s northern border. Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) is in contact with ministry–supported Israeli pastors and Christian leaders. Although SGA primarily operates in Slavic countries, up to 30% of Jewish people in Israel are Russian-speaking immigrants. SGA supports a network of churches that Mock calls “God’s light in the middle of the darkness.” The ministry equips the church leadership with biblical training, offers encouragement, and helps provide resources so the churches can aid their communities.
We pray for the people of Israel to trust Jesus as the Messiah. Ask God to bring a swift resolution to the conflict + spiritual encouragement for SGA–supported pastors in Israel (Reported by Lyndsey Koh, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/philippines-risks-and-opportunties-for-migrant-gospel-workers/, 4th OCT 2024 – Mission News Network)
Philippines – Among those caught in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict are 11,000 Filipinos working in Lebanon. As of Friday, they are awaiting evacuation orders from their home country if Israeli troops begin a ground offensive. An estimated 2.16 million Filipinos live abroad as migrant workers, according to 2023 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. It’s a reality which Lito Sampan with A3 and others see as both a gospel opportunity and something with risks to watch out for. We ask God to call and equip Christians in South Asia for gospel ministry wherever they live and work. We pray for Filipino workers and churches to be united in helping establish why they are working abroad & for protection over family relationships back home.
(Reported by Katie O ‘Malley, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/philippines-risks-and-opportunties-for-migrant-gospel-workers/, 30th Sept 2024 – Mission News Network)
Israel – On Monday and Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed more than 500 people. Hezbollah has fired rockets back at Israel, with no immediate casualties reported. This escalation comes nearly a week after communications devices used by Hezbollah exploded in Lebanon, killing more than 30 and wounding thousands. We pray for God’s peace to be upon believers in the Middle East and across the world as they keep their Great Commission focus throughout this unfolding conflict and share Christ with others. We pray along the lines of Psalm 122 for the peace of Jerusalem. (Reported by Katie O ‘Malley, – https://www.mnnonline.org/news/rocket-fire-heats-up-between-israel-and-hezbollah/ 25th Sept 2024 – Mission News Network)
