Middle East (MNN) ― A week ago today, a black-hooded Muslim extremist disrupted a church service in a church pastored by an e3 staff member.
The man demanded that everyone convert to Islam or die. When no one recanted, he opened fire. The gunman primarily shot at the cross at the front of the church. e3 described it as a beautiful picture of God using the cross once again to save His people and to absorb the violence aimed at them.
Miraculously, there were no injuries. e3 goes on to say the gunman has since been arrested. He was a familiar face around the church because he had been doing some work for them. He had also been exposed to the Gospel. Please pray for this pastor, the church members, and the gunman.
Soon after the attack, the e3 leader who is also the pastor of this church spoke over the phone with an e3 staff member in the U.S., stating, "We are all doing great. Don't worry about us! By the way, we are so excited about the team that is coming next week. We can't wait!" The believers there are bold in their faith and as followers of Christ.
What this shows is openness to the Gospel. Mission researchers estimate that more Muslims have committed to follow Christ in the last 10 years than in the last 15 centuries of Islam.
e3 Partners' aim is to participate in a larger Kingdom effort to see simple churches started in every community among every language and people group in the world.
Their goal is to raise up 1,000 prayer warriors for each country in which they work, in the Midde East / Central Asia (MECA) region. Discipleship is also key to building a strong church.
e3 is investing in leaders within the region in order to equip them to launch stable reproducing flocks. To further this aim, there are ministry training centers around the region as well as seminary level courses available.
Keeping it running smoothly falls to six national directors in this region. These directors and their ministry teams have linked with major American churches that are providing continual prayer-intercession and funding in order to help them in their e3 national strategy. You can help. Click here to find out how.
