More than one million Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon. (Photo courtesy of Partners International)

Hope in Action tour highlights gospel’s impact in Syria

“God is still involved and there is still hope for the Middle East”

By Craig Macartney and ChristianWeek Senior Correspondent | October 29, 2014

BRAMPTON, ON—The Middle East is in chaos. Civil war seems to have become the new norm, with Syria being among the most notable. Islamic militants wage their war while millions of Syrians have fled their homes.

Yet, amid the bloodshed, stories of hope have emerged.

Every year, Partners International, a Christian organization that works with indigenous ministry partners to share the gospel around the world, highlights these stories through tours featuring those working with its partner agencies.

“The media shows us the bad things happening around the world,” says Dr. Ghassan, who didn’t want to use his first name for security reasons. Ghassan visited Canada earlier this year with Partners’ Hope in Action Tour.

“I want to share with Canadian believers that there is still good news, God is still involved and there is still hope for the Middle East. God is working through local churches and [Syrians] are responding to the gospel.”

Ghassan, an indigenous Lebanese missionary, was the tour's third speaker, highlighting the work of the Free Evangelical Association of Lebanon (FEAL).

“The Hope In Action Tour is a showcase of our partners from around the world,” says Kevin McKay, director of development for Partners International Canada. “We bring their initiatives to the light because we want Canadians to fall desperately in love with the work organizations like FEAL are doing in such strategic areas of the world.”

FEAL is working directly with victims of the Syria crisis, operating a home for girls left abandoned or orphaned, providing relief to millions of refugees and providing Bible training for local believers so they can continue spreading the gospel.

“Supporting local believers is so important because it really increases the probability of long-term systemic change,” says McKay. “Long term solutions aren’t where people come for a period of time and then leave. We are focused on empowering and affirming the God-given vision of indigenous workers.”

Ghassan says helping Christian Syrians stay in Syria is a top priority for them. He is concerned that “the continuity of Christianity in Syria” will be affected as Christians flee the country. He is asking Canadians to pray and support the mission work, as well as helping others “catch the vision that the world is waiting for us.”

“Homs is totally destroyed, but today we have two Bible-study groups there, totally from non-Christian backgrounds, who became Christians because of the relief work among them. In Aleppo we have almost 30 families. As Christians we cannot stand and watch, we need to take action. We are asking Canadians to work with us so we can raise support to help more families.”