In Lebanon with Pat Allerton
  • 34 min
In Lebanon with Pat Allerton
Prisoners of Hope
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The Reverend Pat Allerton joined our team in Lebanon this summer to experience the work of our team firsthand. There, he visited safe houses, preached to Syrian refugees in our Haven, and helped in a vegetable distribution from our Seeds of Hope Farm! Most significantly, he joined our team in a local river to baptize over 40 refugees who have come to faith in Christ. Pat joins Joshua Youssef to talk about the trip and how it impacted him to spend time with people who have given up everything for the sake of Christ.
 
Show Notes:
 
Persecution Hotspot: Lebanon (0:50-2:42)
  • Only Islamic-world country where converts can openly worship and evangelize
  • Refugees fleeing Syria, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan
  • Help The Persecuted ministries: safe hosues, Haven for Syrian refugees, Seeds of Hope farm (20,000+ fed), War Refuge Center
Guest Introduction: Pat Allerton (2:42-4:01)
  • Vicar at St. Peter's Church, Notting Hill
  • Became "Portable Priest" during COVID lockdowns
  • Author of A Pocket Full of Hope; Help The Persecuted ambassador
From Fighter Pilot to Faith (4:08-7:19)
  • Dreamed of being pilot after watching Top Gun
  • Came to faith at 18 at Easter camp after hearing evidence for the resurrection
  • Ordained at 32
The Portable Priest Origin Story (8:50-11:13)
  • COVID lockdown: took loudspeaker to streets for hymns and prayers (64 times)
  • Press typo changed "Portobello Priest" to "Portable Priest"
  • Story went to 40,000 outlets before he could correct it
Lebanon Trip: Eye-Opening Experience (11:34-14:12)
  • 250 million persecuted Christians worldwide—10% of global believers
  • Asked himself: "Would I be willing to lose everything for Jesus?"
Baptizing the Persecuted (14:50-17:18)
  • Baptized Kurdish refugees from Iraq—former Muslims who found Christ
  • Asked each candidate: "If persecution comes again, will you stand faithfully for Jesus?"
  • Over 40 baptized that day
Meeting Ibrahim: Blood Shed for Faith (18:01-19:46)
  • Syrian Christian fled after family member was killed for faith
  • Attacked with gun, bloodied—still bears the scar
  • Pat: "I've never met a Christian who's had to shed blood for their faith"
The Blind Songwriter (20:03-21:37)
  • Met family with blind son/grandson who writes worship songs
  • Despite illness and poverty, filled with joy
  • "The best things in life are free"
Seeds of Hope Farm Visit (21:41-24:28)
  • Practical fruit and vegetable distribution to families in need
  • Reminder that good works matter: "We're not saved by works, but not without them"
Impact on Life and Ministry (24:44-27:17)
  • These believers "counted Jesus worthwhile to leave everything for"
  • Helps congregation remember: "This isn't it—we're headed for eternity"
  • Notting Hill has "shiny things" but persecuted believers show what truly matters
Closing Prayer (28:27-30:35)
  • Prayer for 250 million persecuted believers
  • "Help us count the cost and consider it nothing, if only to be found in Christ"
Year-End Matching Gift (32:38-33:27)
Guest: Rev. Pat Allerton | @theportablepriest 

Get Involved:

  • Support persecuted believers through Help The Persecuted: htp.org/donate