Middle East (MNN) — Gasoline prices remain volatile as the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran enters day 12. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard threatened to stop oil exports from leaving the Middle East, prompting an aggressive U.S. response.
One-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz along Iran’s coast. The war has effectively brought this traffic to a standstill.
As conflict in Iran raises concerns about shipping routes and regional stability, ministries like World Missionary Press are watching closely. WMP’s Helen Williams says global crises often create unexpected Gospel opportunities.
“I’ve been here a long time,” Williams says, describing WMP responses to wars in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
“I’ve seen the Lord open doors in places where there weren’t open doors, and all of a sudden, we had material that we could send, and we had open hands saying, ‘If you’ve got anything, send it to us now!’”
Farsi Scripture resources are printed and ready to reach Iranians – they’re just waiting for the right distribution channels. “It’s God’s plan of, ‘We print it, somebody can get it out,’ and we’ve seen this in country after country after country,” Williams says.
Shipping challenges grow as demand rises
At the same time, WMP faces growing logistical challenges. Port congestion and container shortages are slowing shipments. “It’s a spiritual battle around the world to get the Word out,” Williams says, “but the Lord opens these doors, and the Lord takes care of these containers.”
Even so, demand continues to rise. “The opportunities are there,” Williams says.
“There are people waiting for the material, ready to use it. We are ready to produce it, but we are waiting on the Lord for the resources to do that.”
Photo courtesy of World Missionary Press.
Part of the urgency comes from how affordable the resources are. “Our little 48-page Scripture booklets in 355 languages, they cost us about six cents apiece to print,” Williams says.
“There’s no greater bargain in the world than that.”
Pray for ministry partners distributing Scripture in difficult places, and consider giving to help put God’s Word into waiting hands. Partner financially with WMP here.
Header image displays a cargo ship on the ocean. Photo courtesy Ian Taylor/Unsplash.
