Displaying items by tag: War

The Christian communities of Syria and Iraq are in the middle of a ‘cataclysmic crisis’, a report warns. Their very existence is in peril, as the world witnesses one of the greatest threats to the Church in the Middle East since its birth over 2,000 years ago. Christians are facing targeted persecution and leaving Syria and Iraq at an increasing rate. If this rate of emigration continues, within a few years the Christian communities in these countries will be utterly devastated. The report warns that war in Syria and Iraq has ‘unleashed a tidal wave of violent persecution’, which has targeted the highly vulnerable Christian population and has dramatically accelerated the flight of Christians from Iraq and Syria. Before 2011, Syrian Christians numbered about eight per cent of the population of 22 million: today about half are believed to have left the country. Before 2003, there were around 1.5 million Christians in Iraq, less than five per cent of the population: now, estimates hover between 200,000 and 250,000. Those who have left often have no hope or expectation of return.

Millions are fleeing from the tyranny of war, famine, and heartache in the largest movement of people since WWII. For most, Europe offers the only hope of safety, and many risk the very real threat of death on their journeys to refuge. Often these people are seen as a problem, but while our enemy can use people to kill, steal, and destroy, God sees each and every person as a unique and loved creation. Greater Europe Mission (GEM) is just one of the many organisations which are working to meet the needs of the millions of vulnerable and hurting displaced people in train stations, courtyards, and fields across Europe. Unfortunately defensive reactions, not open-handed welcome, is the response from many citizens in receiving countries. Anxiety about those who are ‘different’ is driving people to fear and reject refugees.  Pray for Christians in these countries to lead the way by offering rest and refreshment, and lifting burdens.