Lebanon

Members of the Druze community attacked a Lebanese Druze family that had become followers of Christ. The beating was severe enough that the couple’s young son was hospitalized and they had to flee their home. “A friend had to find them and take them into hiding for their protection,” said a front-line worker. The Druze are a Middle Eastern people group who follow a unique religion with roots in Islam and mysticism.

A Christian refugee whose husband was killed by his family for converting to Christianity has been diagnosed with cancer. Nour became a widow after her Syrian husband’s father and brother attacked and murdered him upon learning he had come to faith in Christ. They also attacked Nour, but she survived and fled to Lebanon with her three young children. They lived in cemeteries for nine days until local Christians found and helped them.

A front-line worker in Lebanon shared what the Lord has taught him through “walking people home” over years of serving persecuted Christians. “The people we walk alongside carry heavy, layered wounds,” he wrote. “They are dealing with trauma, anxiety and the terrifying insecurity that comes from losing their homes, livelihoods and families because of their faith. I’ve learned to listen for what lies beneath the words ? the fear someone is too ashamed to name, the hope they’re hesitant to whisper, the grief they’ve carried alone for years. We are walking people home.

Salim, a believer, shared the gospel with a cousin who now faces severe persecution. When Salim became a Christian, his wealthy family took away his job, and a few relatives tried to kill him. Those relatives even followed him to another country, hoping to harm him. But Salim’s faith grew stronger, and he shared it with other family members, including an older relative. At one point that relative became sick and asked Salim, “Why doesn’t your God heal?”

Halim is a Muslim-background believer who fled to Lebanon from a neighboring country when his family tried to kill him. After arriving in the war-torn country, he decided to visit a local hospital amid ongoing attacks. “I was able to pray for five people and seek the Lord for them,” he said. “And I had a wonderful conversation with a young Palestinian man. I shared with him how Jesus can give peace and comfort.” Another former Muslim, Salim, came to know Christ and has been persecuted in his Shiite town in the Beqaa Valley.

Christians compose 33% of Lebanon’s population, the largest percentage of Christians in any Middle Eastern country, which has made Lebanon a place of refuge for many persecuted Christians from throughout the region. But the ongoing conflict in the region has created a dangerous environment for front-line workers there. “Bombing is happening on a daily basis in Lebanon,” said one front-line worker. “And one happened very close to one of our workers as he went to meet with some persecution survivors.”

Yasmin, who grew up as a member of the Druze community, became a follower of Christ in 2020. When her family learned of her new faith, they immediately rejected her. Her husband attacked her and attempted to stab her. But the couple eventually reconciled, and Yasmin’s husband, Amir, allowed her to live in their home. Amir gradually became curious about Yasmin’s new faith and would stay up late at night to watch Christian TV channels after others had fallen asleep.

Some local Christian leaders in Lebanon have reported an inspiring work of God even as many in the country are struggling amid economic hardship and political instability. “You’re aware of the many crises Lebanon is facing,” said one pastor. “In the past year alone, we have endured unemployment and underemployment, a dysfunctional government, hyperinflation, and war along our southern border.” Then he added, “And yet we are seeing one of the greatest gospel movements in the country’s history.

Khaled’s Lebanese Muslim family was displeased when he decided to become a follower of Christ. After learning about his newfound faith, they attacked him and locked him in a room away from his wife, attempting to force him to return to Islam. But Khaled escaped and eventually reunited with his wife. She was also not supportive of his conversion and only allowed him to return if he paid the full cost of their housing and living expenses without any financial assistance from her. He found a new job, is paying the expenses, and is trying to demonstrate God’s love to his wife.