Due to the potentially dangerous situations that can be associated with missions work in some parts of the world, we are not disclosing the missionaries names. Please rejoice and pray with us for this couple!
We came to know Jesus as our Lord in the late 1970s. During the next 20 years, we participated in a number of short-term ministry trips to Central America and Eastern Europe, while raising our two children. In the mid 1990's, God asked us to consider giving our lives to reach Abraham’s other descendants, the Arabs. A few years later, the Lord led us to resign a Vice President position at SafePak Corporation and sell our commercial cleaning business so that we could receive missionary training for the Middle East. Part of that training involved living three months in southern Iraq in 2003, during a time of war. Over the years, we’ve been involved with home groups, missions, and prayer ministries bearing God’s love for the Arab world. We are currently enrolled in a language program in the Arab Gulf and plan to return to Iraq to share Christ’s love in the “heart language” of the Iraqi people.
Why Iraq?
Major political and social upheaval in a country usually leads to a window of spiritual openness. Much like when the Soviet Iron Curtain fell and people were open to new ideas about life, Iraq is poised for a move of God like no other time in history. We must seize the opportunity before it is gone. Iraqis suffered horribly under Saddam Hussein and the deposed Baathist government. They have real physical and emotional needs. We want them to know Jesus, the one God sent to bring forgiveness and healing.
What We Are Doing
Our vision is simple. We want Arabs to know the love of our Father and glorify Him through a saving, love filled relationship with Jesus Christ. To see this become reality, we share Jesus through the bridge of relationship. We relate with our Arab friends much in the way Jesus did with his disciples. As He lived with them, sharing what God had given Him, they came to know the Father. Relationships provide us with opportunities to pray for those in need, teach about Jesus, and explore what it means to know God. We touch on issues that greatly impact the Arab soul, such as God’s love for Arabs, how sins are forgiven, being right in God’s eyes, acceptance in Christ, relationship with God, Jesus as the Anointed One, and God as loving Father. The Middle East has experienced strife for generations. We are peacemakers sent to patiently minister God’s love and acceptance in Jesus. Fear is a big hindrance to church growth because of hostility towards Christianity in this region. Anchoring new believers in God’s love helps them overcome the fear of persecution for sharing their faith. It also nurtures the desire to build one another up in love, which is essential for living in an Islamic culture. We want to establish communities of liberated, passionate believers who minister to each other and to those around them. God has given Arabs a unique cultural identity that He desires to work through to reach the Arab heart. We try to avoid using Western methods as we minister. We encourage Arab ways of expressing godly passion to help believers grow in their God-given identity.
Our Need
Prayer! We need people praying that God would let us see circumstances and opportunities the way He sees them. We also need prayer for those He is drawing to Jesus. Muslims often pay a high price when they come to faith in Christ. They are persecuted by family and friends for turning away from Islam. In many cases, they face the threat of death. Please pray for peace and boldness for our Muslim friends. Along with prayer we need financial supporters who will partner with us on a monthly basis. Language training, transportation costs, and emergency medical insurance are some practical expenses we currently have. We depend upon the generosity and commitment of those who believe with us that God is working to reach Arabs. Would you prayerfully consider joining us with your support?
If God is laying it on your heart to give to this ministry, please contact Pastor Phil by clicking here. Thank you.
