'Charles' with Partners International says violence in Iraq is causing the situation for the church to deteriorate quickly. "Most Christians don't see any future for Christianity in Iraq right now because the country is going to be more Islamic than it was. Many are leaving. Some are coming to Jordan. A lot are going to Syria. In, especially the southern part of Iraq, in Baghdad, there's not a real bright future right now," says Charles.
According to Charles it could be a difficult Christmas for believers in Baghdad. "Many of the Christian women, just to survive in their neighborhoods, have to wear the full veil and cover their heads and there's not a lot of freedom."
However, the situation is somewhat different in the Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq, says Charles. "There's an openness there like in no other area of Iraq. It's become, since the early 90's, a place where Partners International has been able to help the church really grow and develop. Many Christians are actually moving up there."
Those Iraqis going to Jordan, are being impacted by the church there. Charles says, "The church in Jordan has had a tremendous opportunity to reach out to these people. And, many Iraqis have come to know the Lord. And, even as they leave Iraq I think many some day will come back."
That's already happening in the Kurdish area of Iraq where a new believer has a passion to establish a Christian school in Baghdad.
Pray that the Lord will keep the work of Partners International safe during these times of uncertainty. Pray that Christians in Jordan and Syria will be effective in sharing their faith with Iraqis who have left Iraq.
