At least 15 of the 300+ hostages have been shot or beheaded, and more executions are allegedly on the way. Catholic news source “Crux” cites on-the-ground sources, saying a mosque in Syria had been inviting Muslims to “a mass killing of infidels.”
In addition, a Syrian Christian told Reuters last week, “Some people have tried to call them by cellphone, the relatives that have been abducted, and they get an answer from a member of ISIS who tells that they will send the head of their relative.”
“All you hear are the horror stories,” notes Mike Dworak of E3 Partners Ministry, “but God is moving. God is moving.”
Amir, E3 Partners’ Syria Director, has been sending daily updates of the situation on-the-ground to E3’s main office in the U.S. On Wednesday, Amir reported the in-laws of one of his ministry colleagues were among the captives.
“I’m sure you guys have heard the quote before, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church’ — that’s a hard thing for us to hear, especially in light of this,” Dworak admits.
Pray for the families of these kidnapped Christians. Some captives may only be “cultural Christians,” but others are committed followers of the cross. Pray they can stand firm in Christ and be a bold witness of His love.