Gaza (MNN) — As the horrors of the Israel-Hamas war continue, Tom Doyle with Uncharted Ministries says there are gospel stories we need to hear.
“You could never think, by watching the news there, that there could be any peace there or any humanity whatsoever — and [yet] there truly is,” says Doyle.
“As far as Jesus’ church reaching through the political, ethnic boundaries, all of that, so many things are happening that are good.”
Israeli believers on rescue missions
He says one Palestinian family with four kids is trying to escape an incredibly dangerous area in Gaza.
“Israeli believers are trying to get them out and save their lives. It’s truly, truly amazing,” says Doyle.
(Photo courtesy of Uncharted Ministries)
“One Palestinian believer showed us a note that flew out of a helicopter saying, ‘Move from this area. IDF is going to be trying to find some Hamas terrorists.’ They say it’s snowing in Gaza, it’s snowing. It’s the notes coming [down].”
Messages of peace from Palestinians
Meanwhile, Palestinian believers are sending messages like these: “We don’t want war with Israel. We don’t have anything against them. Please get rid of Hamas. Please keep us safe, though.”
This heart for peace has been there from the beginning. Back in October 2023, one Palestinian believer was forced by Hamas to watch the parade of hostages into Gaza. Doyle says he sent the message, “I’m crying here. This should not be happening to human beings, and I’m so sorry. Please tell the Israelis we’re sorry about this.”
“Even sending that message on his phone was so incredibly risky if he got caught,” Doyle says. “But that’s what happens. The gospel transcends all those barriers.”
Believers in Gaza share hope of Jesus
Other believers in Gaza from Muslim backgrounds are standing in faith, too.
Christians from Gaza circa 2021
(Wikimedia Commons)
When the Uncharted Ministries team asked them if they had been able to share Jesus amid this horrible war, they said, “With hundreds of people, hundreds.’”
“They’re just sitting, hoping to not get caught in the crossfire, and so they’re with other families,” Doyle says. “The question they’re asked is, ‘Why do you have so much peace? How can you smile in the midst of this?’ And they tell them, ‘It’s because of Jesus, how He changed our lives.’”
Let the peace of Christ rule
Because the gospel of Jesus overcomes all human barriers, please let Him rule your prayers about this war. Consider basing your prayers in Colossians 3:12-15 as a starting place.
“Pray for the Muslims that have become believers there (in Gaza) and meet together in small groups. They’re in incredible danger,” says Doyle. “Pray for the Israelis in the surrounding cities — in kibbutzim (small communities) — and [for] soldiers that are believers. They’re doing their best to keep people safe and help despite all the destruction.”
Pray also for the remaining hostages and their families, and that peace will come to Gaza instead of Hamas terrorism and war.
Header photo: Israeli pastor and a Palestinian missionary praying over the Gaza Strip from Israel. They love each other as brothers in Christ and they love both people groups. (Photo, caption courtesy of Uncharted Ministries)
