~Despite the uptick of hostility and terrorist activities in the nations of these areas, Christian Missionaty workers of all different denominations report good news in the spiritual front.

~Driven by being displaced by war, middle easterns are flocking more and more to the church.

The BaptistStandard.com reports

“As complicated and sensitive as the situation in the Middle East is for Western governments, it is just as tricky for Christian organizations with missionaries in the region. The region historically hostile to evangelism and ministry has become increasingly perilous for Baptist and other Christians as civil wars and terrorist groups like the Islamic State—previously known as ISIS or ISIL—have driven terrified civilians from Iraq and Syria.”

“A group of churches in Turkey is supplying refugee camps and “we are assisting this effort with donations of … money, clothing, and other items,” one of the missionaries in Turkey said via email. In Lebanon, the CBF-supported missionaries are supporting a women’s group that includes Bible study and food donations, a school for refugee children and a food project”.

Christianaid.org reports

“Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq faced fierce opposition in counter-offensives against the Islamic State (ISIS) this month, but in spiritual battles in the north, native Christian workers saw the gospel advance nearly unopposed, Iraqi ministry leaders said.

The coalition units in Iraq this month stepped up military strikes in Ramadi in the west and Baiji in the north, and the first U.S. fatality in the fight against ISIS occurred on Oct. 22 when Kurdish soldiers and U.S. special operations members freed prisoners held by ISIS in the northern town of Hawija. The approximately 70 hostages had been told they would be executed that day. Their graves had already been prepared.

“At the same time, Christian workers doing spiritual battle in northern Iraq could barely keep up with area residents' desire to learn about Christ and the Bible, ministry leaders said. People in northern Iraq's predominantly Muslim, autonomous region of Kurdistan have long been more open to Christianity than other Iraqis, but they have been especially keen since ISIS took over parts of the region.

"They're just sick of Islam," said the director of a ministry based in Kurdistan. "People are very hungry to know about Christ, especially when they hear about miracles, healing, mercy and love."

“In numerous testimonies he heard from Kurds every day, in churches that have emerged and in satellite television broadcasts with people calling in telling how they came to put their trust in Christ, the ministry leader cited an "awakening" among Muslims in northern Iraq. No one declined a Bible or the opportunity to hear the gospel, he said, though not all came to faith overnight. He spoke of giving a Bible to a Muslim receiving aid from his ministry.”

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