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We have opposing views. Please pray for discernment!
In this urgent update, Help The Persecuted CEO Joshua Youssef brings together voices from the heart of Syria's crisis to reveal the true stories of persecuted Christians behind the headlines.
Our Field Ministers Daniel and Lina share firsthand accounts of what's happening in Syria, while Dr. Martin Parsons provides crucial context about the challenges facing believers in this volatile region. The conversation illuminates the difficult reality for Alawite families experiencing targeted violence, the precarious position of Christian communities navigating shifting power dynamics, and the life-threatening dangers confronting converts, who have embraced faith in Christ from Muslim backgrounds. They also touch on the dual narrative being presented by Syria's new leadership—one face turned toward the West and another toward internal religious factions. Please stand our persecuted family through informed prayer as we seek God's protection over persecuted Christians and peace in the midst of this unfolding situation. As I write this, our brothers and sisters in Syria are hiding in their homes, fearing for their lives. In just the past few days, over 1,000 civilians have been massacred in cold blood. We urgently need your prayers RIGHT NOW.
Syria in CrisisIn December, Syria fell under the control of a new regime led by a former Al-Qaeda leader. Since Thursday, horrific sectarian violence has unfolded:
The situation grows more dangerous by the day. Unlike other minority groups who have the means to protect themselves, Christians remain especially vulnerable. "The problem is the Christians don't have any weapons or anything to defend themselves in Syria because we don't believe in that. You know, as Christians, we don't want to kill anyone," Daniel said. The danger is even more acute for converts to Christianity who face persecution from multiple fronts. Our safe houses in Syria are a life-saving refuge for Christian converts who are being actively hunted by their own family members who have vowed to murder them for abandoning Islam. As this new wave of violence intensifies, they are among our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. Our safe houses are near capacity, but we anticipate many more will seek refuge in the coming days. We will not turn them away. Daniel immediately reached out to pastors across the affected areas in Syria to learn how our teams could help. He said that they have stopped all church meetings. "They will not make any meeting on Sunday because it's very dangerous to go out to the streets. It's a civil and street war…The jihadis killed everyone…It's very dangerous for them in the church.” How You Can HelpThere are two ways that you can directly minister to persecuted Christians in Syria right now: You can pray, and, if you are able, you can give. In addition to your faithful prayers, please support our Field Ministry Team on-the-ground in Syria. Your gifts will make it possible for Daniel and our teams in Syria to stand firm in the midst of a war zone…and minister face-to-face to believers who cling to Christ in the midst of Islamic extremism. Your gifts will provide safe housing so that we are able to welcome believers who need emergency shelter, vital food, pastoral care, counseling, and, in time, a path forward for believers who have lost everything. Minister to Christians in Syria Thank you for your faithful support through prayer and giving. It is saving the lives of persecuted Syrians. In Him, Joshua Youssef President and CEO Help Persecuted Christians in Syria |
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