Ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran are causing instability in the broader Middle East. In Lebanon, conflict between Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel has dangerously escalated, with limited missile exchanges and targeted strikes turning into major provocations which have put the region on the precipice of full-scale war.
Caught up in the midst of the warzone are 1000’s of Christian refugees, who’ve come to Lebanon in search of refuge from the persecution they faced in other nations.
Lebanon’s role as a sanctuary for Christians is what led Christian ministry Help The Persecuted (HTP) to make use of it as a hub for his or her efforts to offer each spiritual and practical support to persecuted Christians and other vulnerable people within the country.
The already significant need they’re working to satisfy has been compounded by the direct dangers from the conflict, in addition to the atmosphere of uncertainty persons are living in — hanging over every thing is the query of whether the conflict will die down or whether there can be a full-scale war.
“The people know nothing about tomorrow. They live day-to-day, on a regular basis. They don’t have anything, in reality. No economy, no peace, nothing … they’re really frustrated,” HTP’s field minister Amin said. “The only thing that may change every thing is the Lord Jesus Christ. We need Him. Nothing can change this case except Jesus.”
Amid this fraught situation, HTP has continued striving to fulfil its mission of being the hands and feet of Jesus. They do that using a threefold approach of rescuing, restoring and rebuilding the lives of those suffering through a lot of different ministries.
Every week, truckloads of vegetables leave their Seeds of Hope farm, distributing fresh produce amongst those most in need. They also provide a refuge for the various individuals who have fled from danger within the south, leaving their homes and livelihoods behind, through an emergency protected shelter on the War Refuge Centre.
“Our work has multiplied because of individuals moving from southern Lebanon,” one other field minister Leila said. “We are distributing Emergency Relief Kits – a month’s supply of dry food – and medicine. We’re operating our Safe Houses for persecuted believers. It’s non-stop work. I do not know what’s coming, but I’m willing to serve in any way that I can.”
They are also providing spiritual sustenance, with one public event seeing 1,200 people gather together to hope for peace within the region and worship God. After a sermon from Amin, almost 100 people asked for prayer.
Help The Persecuted CEO Joshua Youssef can be asking for the prayers of Christians all around the world.
“My biggest concern is that if this escalates into an all-out war. But we remain determined greater than ever to face with essentially the most vulnerable persecuted Christians and people in need in Lebanon at the moment,” he said.
“We urge the Church all over the world to hope for peace on this region and for endurance for our field ministers on the bottom serving tirelessly.”
