MENA (MNN) — More than a year into the war between Israel and Hamas and Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah, the losses are staggering. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 44,000 people. In Lebanon, it’s above 3,500.
Fadi Sharaiha with the MENA Leadership Center reminds us that followers of Christ aren’t on an island, removed from these tragedies.
“The church is a reflection of the community. So the church is also going through those things, the church is also suffering, the church is also reflecting, ‘Are [we] doing the right thing? What do [we] need to do?’” he says.
“The training inspired me to new approaches to ministry… I began to implement the material, combining both the passion and skills for a more significant impact in God’s kingdom. Thank you for the abundant, precious resources you left in our hands.” – Key Ministry Leader from Jordan
(Photo, caption courtesy of MLC)
Sometimes they do know how to respond. People in Beirut are receiving families who have fled from southern Lebanon. Many of these displaced people are Shia Muslims, the same branch of Islam as Hezbollah. Sharaiha says churches are among those helping to shelter these families.
“This is a beautiful, beautiful reflection of God’s love, the unconditional love [of God] to people,” he says.
But sometimes they don’t know how to respond. As churches wrestle with ever-evolving needs, the weight of leadership only increases. That’s why the MENA Leadership Center is organizing multiple local trainings across the region. In 2025, two more courses will be offered.
“One of them is how to deal with trauma for refugees — this is [a] very important thing that is happening. Also how to establish your ministry with refugees, because now refugees [are] a big thing in the Middle East,” says Sharaiha.
“We have around 1.2 to 1.5 million displaced people in Gaza. In Lebanon, we have a couple hundred thousand people fleeing [a] certain part of Lebanon. People flee to Syria from Lebanon [too]. This also would put more pressure on the church in Syria, how to help and how to support.”
The needs are tremendous. Please pray for brothers and sisters in Christ navigating the crises in the Middle East. Consider partnering with the MENA Leadership Center in the trainings they offer as well.
Pray also for those on the MENA Leadership team as they connect with believers in the region. Pray for safety and effective communication.
Header photo of Beirut, Lebanon courtesy of Christian Harb via Unsplash.
