How the Persecuted Church is Reaping a Harvest in Northern Iraq
Pastor Zarav asks for your prayers as his church reaches out with the gospel in Kurdistan
 Pastor Zarav reports that Open Doors has helped provide almost 400,000 Bibles and Christian booklets in Iraq. |
It’s a privilege to work in partnership with Pastor “Zarav.” A dedicated church leader in northern Iraq, he labors tirelessly and courageously to see the gospel proclaimed—in word and deed—across his region. In a recent letter, Pastor Zarav shares with us how the Lord is powerfully at work, gives thanks for Open Doors’ continued partnership, and urges us to keep praying for the church in Kurdistan as they reach out with the Good News of Christ.
“We want to thank God for all things, the bitter and the joyful,” Pastor Zarav begins. “God has graciously enabled us to achieve great victories in spreading His Kingdom in our region. In the midst of difficulties, we stand on His promise that we are victorious in the righteous Jesus.”
Encouraging new converts
Pastor Zarav’s church consists mostly of new converts, excited to grow in their faith as they meet together and study God’s Word. “We have three main services each week, as well as two prayer meetings, and a regular night of prayer every Thursday through to Friday morning,” explains Zarav. “In the last year we have held 11 Bible training conferences, which encouraged the new believers to study the Word and to pray.”
The new believers are also zealous in their evangelism. “We have teams distributing the Word of God,” Pastor Zarav shares. “Almost 400,000 Bibles and Christian booklets in different languages have been given out. We have also been able to translate and print several other books and evangelistic tracts.”
Together, the believers have visited 170 new villages, preaching the gospel and delivering Bibles. “Some have asked us to go back and preach Christ again,” Pastor Zarav reports. Wonderfully, many have been converted in recent months. “We have been able to baptize 232 new believers!”
Showing God’s love
The church also has a program of social outreach, demonstrating the love of God in practical ways. “We have been able to help 12,000 families in poverty—mostly refugees from the south of Iraq—with food, clothes, shoes, bags and kerosene for heaters,” Pastor Zarav says. In addition, the church has offered a medical service to the local community. “We conducted a free five-day clinic at the church facility with a medical team that treated more than 800 people! It was really a great work!”
Along with his team of elders, Pastor Zarav also oversees nine newly planted churches across the region with discipleship programs, prayer support and spiritual encouragement. “We pray that the Lord will give us grace to construct buildings for each of these new churches,” explains Zarav.
Of course, Pastor Zarav and his church members still face many difficulties. One such struggle is the believers’ campaign to have their faith officially recognized by the authorities. “Our continuous efforts to formalize our Christianity have not borne fruit as yet—we cannot change our ID cards to state that we are Christians.”
Yet Pastor Zarav does not dwell on the challenges and struggles. Instead, he is quick to give thanks and glory to God for all that He is doing in and through the church there. “We thank God and His Holy Spirit for the work being done in northern Iraq,” testifies Pastor Zarav. “And we thank God for your support and love, which we will never forget. Will you keep on praying for our church?”[All names changed for security reasons.]
“We want to thank God for all things, the bitter and the joyful,” Pastor Zarav begins. “God has graciously enabled us to achieve great victories in spreading His Kingdom in our region. In the midst of difficulties, we stand on His promise that we are victorious in the righteous Jesus.”
Encouraging new converts
Pastor Zarav’s church consists mostly of new converts, excited to grow in their faith as they meet together and study God’s Word. “We have three main services each week, as well as two prayer meetings, and a regular night of prayer every Thursday through to Friday morning,” explains Zarav. “In the last year we have held 11 Bible training conferences, which encouraged the new believers to study the Word and to pray.”
The new believers are also zealous in their evangelism. “We have teams distributing the Word of God,” Pastor Zarav shares. “Almost 400,000 Bibles and Christian booklets in different languages have been given out. We have also been able to translate and print several other books and evangelistic tracts.”
Together, the believers have visited 170 new villages, preaching the gospel and delivering Bibles. “Some have asked us to go back and preach Christ again,” Pastor Zarav reports. Wonderfully, many have been converted in recent months. “We have been able to baptize 232 new believers!”
Showing God’s love
The church also has a program of social outreach, demonstrating the love of God in practical ways. “We have been able to help 12,000 families in poverty—mostly refugees from the south of Iraq—with food, clothes, shoes, bags and kerosene for heaters,” Pastor Zarav says. In addition, the church has offered a medical service to the local community. “We conducted a free five-day clinic at the church facility with a medical team that treated more than 800 people! It was really a great work!”
Along with his team of elders, Pastor Zarav also oversees nine newly planted churches across the region with discipleship programs, prayer support and spiritual encouragement. “We pray that the Lord will give us grace to construct buildings for each of these new churches,” explains Zarav.
Of course, Pastor Zarav and his church members still face many difficulties. One such struggle is the believers’ campaign to have their faith officially recognized by the authorities. “Our continuous efforts to formalize our Christianity have not borne fruit as yet—we cannot change our ID cards to state that we are Christians.”
Yet Pastor Zarav does not dwell on the challenges and struggles. Instead, he is quick to give thanks and glory to God for all that He is doing in and through the church there. “We thank God and His Holy Spirit for the work being done in northern Iraq,” testifies Pastor Zarav. “And we thank God for your support and love, which we will never forget. Will you keep on praying for our church?”[All names changed for security reasons.]
