Right now, Lebanon stands on a knife's edge. Since early March, war between Israel and Hezbollah has killed more than two thousand people and displaced over a million across the country. A fragile ceasefire was reached at the start of this month, but it is holding by a thread, and a new and frightening question has risen alongside the fighting: will Lebanon collapse into civil war?
Our Field Minister Amin, who serves with out team on the ground in Lebanon, sees the danger firsthand. We asked him directly whether he believes civil war is coming.
"There is mobilization toward civil war in Lebanon, but things are not yet clear at this hour. There is heavy external pressure on everyone to turn the declared war on Hezbollah into an internal war between Hezbollah and the Lebanese people."
We asked how persecuted believers would be affected if that war comes.
"The Christians are caught between the hammer and the chisel. If the war becomes internal, the Muslims will inevitably take power because they are the majority, whether Shia or Sunni. In either case, believers from a Muslim background will find their lives in severe danger, as will the workers who serve among converts, like myself and many others."
For now, Lebanon remains one of the few places in the region where converts from across the Arab world can find refuge. And our ministry on the ground continues.
"As for our ministry in Lebanon at present, we are still fine for now, because the Lebanese state respects freedom of belief, which is a very good thing. Until this hour, Lebanon remains a refuge for all converts from the Arabized countries. But if the Muslims take power, we will be the first to suffer, and we will certainly be killed or displaced."
The Matthew 25 Project
Even in the middle of this crisis, our Field Ministry Team is on the ground through the Matthew 25 Project, our expanded outreach to the more than one million people displaced by the war. Our team is serving hot meals, ministering to children, and having conversations that may last only a minute, but whose impact is felt for all eternity.
Through every meal and every conversation, our Pastoral Care Team is doing what they do best: listening, loving, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.
Above: our team preparing for a hot meal distribution
Above: our team distributing bread
Above: our team members having conversations after the meal is served.
Above: Children and teenagers discover the gospel for the first time through books we distribute!
The world looks at Lebanon and sees only chaos. But the Church is not retreating. Because of your faithful generosity and our almighty God, It is advancing. And our brother Amin is not afraid. We asked him how he finds rest in the middle of so much uncertainty.
"As for our rest in Christ, we are confident that He holds the reins, and we fear no evil because He is always our protector."
Please pray for Amin and our entire Field Ministry Team in Lebanon, that God would shield them. For the believers from a Muslim background whose lives hang in the balance. For peace, and for the more than one million displaced souls our teams are serving every day.