A deteriorating situation for Christians in Iraq

Iraq (MNN) — While the world waits for Iraqis to go to the polls on Saturday, Christians are fearful for their safety. This week, Global Advance is holding an International Summit in Dallas, Texas where leaders from 35 countries will gather together. However, one pastor from Iraq will be staying home.

David Shibley with Global Advance says, “He has informed us that because of what he perceives as a deteriorating situation for evangelicals, in particular, in Iraq, he feels that he needs to stay with his church family at this time.”

Christians have recently been the target of violence, says Shibley. “An Anglican Pastor has been kidnapped in recent days and is presumed dead. The son of an evangelical pastor has also been kidnapped. There have been threats against many churches and against many pastors. The primary reason behind this is because many people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ in Iraq.”

A recent meeting in northern Iraq backs that up, says Shibley. “650 people from all different denominations attended a prayer conference and there was probably greater unity among the churches of Iraq then ever in the history of the church there.”

The International Summit runs through Friday. There will be large amounts of time that will be given to open ended prayer and discussion about strategies for reaching yet unreached peoples.

Pray that the Lord will give wisdom to these believers as they meet.