Darrow Miller and Friends

Christians in Iraq Are in Desperate Need

Iraq flagTroubling news from Iraq continues apace. That’s not new, but the level of escalation, and the description of events on the ground, both indicate a mushrooming humanitarian crisis, an extreme situation which warrants the attention, prayers, and gifts of Christians around the world.

Some of the most trusted sources we know are using striking language to describe the state of affairs:

• “Probably there is not one Christian now left in Mosul.” Archbishop Amel Nona
• “Things are so bad now in Iraq, the worst they have ever been.” Canon Andrew White, the “vicar of Baghdad”
• “Iraq is on the verge of disintegration.” Eric Metaxas

No doubt many of our readers are following Iraq news. As has been widely reported, Mosul fell to Militants on Tuesday. Large swaths of Iraqi military are said to be abandoning their posts.

The government of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, fell overnight to the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, also called the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Mosul’s panic-stricken Christians, along with many others, are now fleeing en masse to the rural Nineveh Plain, according to the Vatican publication Fides. The border crossings into Kurdistan, too, are jammed with the cars of the estimated 150,000 desperate escapees.

The Christians in ancient Antioch, Syria, “determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea” (Acts 11:29 ESV). So we today have an opportunity to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Iraq. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10 ESV).

Please join us in praying for these who are dear to Christ.

Please join us in giving as well. Canon White (see Eric Metaxas’ riveting interview with him here) is asking, “Please, please help us in this crisis.

Luke wrote of our predecessors that  “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had” (Acts 4:32 NIV). Surely this is a moment to imitate them.

Here’s one simple avenue for your gift.

– Gary Brumbelow

 

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Gary is the Disciple Nations Alliance editorial manager. He manages Darrow Miller and Friends and serves as editor and co-writer on various book projects. For eight years Gary served as a cross-cultural church planting missionary among First Nations people of Canada. His career also includes 14 years as executive director of InterAct Ministries, an Oregon-based church-planting organization in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. Gary is a graduate of Grace University, earned an MA from Wheaton College and a Graduate Studies Diploma from Western Seminary. He lives near Portland, Oregon with his wife, Valerie. They have two married sons and twelve grandchildren. In addition to his work with the DNA, Gary serves as the pastor of Troutdale Community Church.
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