Church members tread carefully after Syria closes church doors
9/6/2010 Syria (MNN) ― The spiritual climate in Syria is a changing one. While Syria's Christian minority is generally respected, conversions to Christianity from Islam are rare and sometimes met with opposition.
Voice of the Martyrs reports that evangelizing is legal, but visas are not granted for missionary work. And while there is freedom to worship, any activity that could threaten communal harmony is suspect, making it difficult to spread the Gospel.
Despite the challenges, Reach Global in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) began in 2008. The team working in the area is focused on holistic ministry: meeting physical and emotional needs as well as the spiritual needs of an individual.
They have been working together with churches, national partners, and collaborating with like-minded ministry organizations in order to reach the Syrians with the hope of Christ, and there has been success. A church has been planted.
Enter: opposition. This June, the Syrian government closed the doors of that evangelical church. The group is still hoping to meet for worship and Bible study, but they are praying for wisdom and discernment on how to do that and still remain within the law.
Pray for the Syrian government to demonstrate more tolerance for establishing evangelical churches. Pray that Christians will be able to reach out to the Muslim population in Syria. Pray that Syrian converts to Christianity will be a strong witness to their family, friends and neighbors.
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