Women in Iran wearing the traditional hijab and loose-fitting clothing required by sharia law. (Photo courtesy of mostafa meraji/Unsplash)

Israel is among those concerned about Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. It has stated that it will not allow Iran to rebuild its nuclear capacities. But Iran insists that its developments are only for civilian purposes. 

It’s complex, isn’t it? Samuel* from Redemptive Stories explains a few things about Iran’s relationships that we might miss. First comes Israel. Why does the Iranian regime want Israel off the map? 

“It’s more complicated than just all ‘Oh, they are Muslims and those are Jews and so they hate each other,'” Samuel says. “There [are] other political and even economic factors that play into this frustration, angst, and hatred that goes back and forth between them.” 

For example, Israel has a voice in the Middle East as an ally of certain Western powers.

“The sanctions that are put on Iran, at least in part, are all related to Israel’s sentiments towards Iran, and the power that they wield within the US as well as Europe,” says Samuel.

The enmity has manifested itself in many conflicts. For years, Iran has waged war with Israel through proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. It has leveraged its influence in nations and groups with high numbers of Shia Muslims, such as Syria and Iraq.

Azadi Square, Tehran, Iran (Stock photo courtesy of Erfan Ro via Unsplash)

“Iran — they’re 94% Shia. Therefore, they are viewed, at least because of their power and their position, as the heart of Shia Islam,” explains Samuel.

“So Hezbollah, being Shia, also leans back to look to Iran for help. And Iran is helping. That is why Israel continues to bomb in the south of Lebanon and to attack targets that are there, because Hezbollah has so far resisted any thoughts of disarming.”

Conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Israel and Iran have brought devastation, but “God is a friend near to those that walk through pain,” Samuel says. Pray that there will be enough peace in the Middle East for Christians to bring the love of Christ to the people suffering.

“If you look at the 20 points that have been laid out for Gaza [in the ceasefire deal], they really create opportunities for human flourishing to really occur in that area,” says Samuel. “But is there enough trust to walk them out? That is a different question.” 

*Pseudonym

Header photo: Tafresh, Markazi Province, Iran (Photo courtesy of Mostafa Meraji via Unsplash)

The fighting broke out on July 24th after nearly two months of rising border tensions. 

“It goes back to the French colonization of that part of the world, when they (France) gave up [its protectorate of Cambodia] and how they redrew the maps of the two countries,” said Joe Handley, president of A3. “Ever since, there’s been tension between these two sides.”

The ceasefire is a vital step toward peace, but its effects will take time to feel. At least 33 people lost their lives in the clashes. More than 130,000 on each side were displaced, according to Thai military and Cambodian defense sources. 

The threat of war also stirred up concern among A3 friends who remember the 1970s “killing fields” of Cambodia. 

“What I’m hopeful about is the church has oftentimes risen [on] occasions like these to be a source of hope in the midst of very difficult situations,” Handley said. 

For example, a former warlord from Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge party came to Christ in recent years. 

“His transformation has been miraculous, to the point where he became a lay pastor, and he went through a program that’s downstream from A3 called the School of Discipleship. That gave him training to kind of increase his capacity as a spiritual leader,” said Handley.

(Photo courtesy of Asian Access) School of Discipleship

Handley said this man has started dozens of churches in a region where many Khmer Rouge fled after Pol Pot’s fall. 

“It’s bringing peace to that region,” he said. “That’s the kind of thing that we hope to see happen. People live in fear and dread right now, but when you get people like that [who] are fearless — they have a history, but they come to Christ — it can it can turn around a situation.”

Pray for more people like this former warlord to come to faith in Christ!

National director of A3 Cambodia, Meng Aun Hour, said, “Please pray for protection and [for a] stop [to] the fighting.”

Pray also for provision and gospel witness for the Thai and Cambodian people affected by the conflict. Pray that the ceasefire will be upheld.

Header photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Camille via Unsplash.

Never show weakness.

Untangling the cultural chains that bind the heart is no easy task — especially when Islam tightens those knots. David Carlsen from Trans World Radio says that for a long time, Muslim men were overlooked in outreach efforts. Yet in a culture that forces them to hide any weakness, many are left struggling with deep emotional and mental burdens. David explains:

“So, I started to ask this question, what if we could reach the Muslim men? What would that change? And I talked to a lot of people, both media ministries working among Muslim ministries, but also on-ground ministries around the world. And I was so surprised to find that it was very, very limited.”

Another reason this focus is critical is that when women or children come to Christ, these men often respond with hostility, becoming a danger to their own families. But when men embrace biblical values, they protect their families and become agents of change.

Praying man. Photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Ashkan Forouzani via Unsplash.

Recognizing this reality, Carlsen created “Men of Courage“, a program shaped by research among field workers around the world, addressing the real needs of Muslim men. He says: “The vision for this is bringing a fresh perspective on life and eternity. We really want to bring hope and help to the Muslim men. If they become Christians, praise God! We want to, you know, go that direction, but already, from the start, we want to help them do better in their own lives and grow society, of course, with biblical values underneath.”

In search of a program that works not only in theory but in practice, Carlsen embarked on a journey for answers. He spoke with many active missionaries in different countries and compiled a list of 25 core topics. “I’ve checked with a lot of people, and they said these are pretty much general for Muslim men around the world,” he says.

However, the program is flexible for each culture where missionaries serve. Carlsen says: “So it is very interesting to work with all these different people and see how they are shaping the concept differently, depending on their own cultures, which is amazing.”

The initiative includes short social media pieces, a drama series, and a talk show. It’s now available in Indonesian, French, Turkish, and Albanian, with more languages coming.

Pray that the outwardly tough focus group of Muslim men will open their hearts to the genuineness of their feelings and be open to the transformative healing of Christ. Also, pray for the workers preparing this program for their nations — that they would consider all necessary cultural sensitivities to be effective and strategic.

Click here to learn more about the work of TWR, and here to learn more about the “Men of Courage” program.

Header photo is a representative stock photo courtesy of Alexander Kirov, via Unsplash.

France isn’t the country you’d expect to be facing government collapse. Many countries make headlines for economic or political instability, but France isn’t usually one of them. David Durance of TeachBeyond says:

“We recognize that the whole world is kind of groaning at the moment, and we think that, ‘Oh, that’s only going to be in Syria. Oh, that’s only going to be in some parts of Ukraine, et cetera.’ I think what we’re actually seeing from Bolivia to France to Syria,to some places that we’re working on in creative access in Southeast Asia, is that there actually are seismic shifts happening underneath all that’s going on.”

In other words, tensions in France’s Parliament are symptoms of a global need for God-given stability. “When we see no-confidence votes, when we see a government fall, what looks like unexpectedly, we recognize that underneath there is unrest,” Durance says. “There’s unrest right now around the world, […] much closer to home than we might think.”

This kind of unrest goes against the fundamental basis of Christianity. Scripture calls believers to be bearers of peace and to speak peace into a culture of turmoil. That’s what TeachBeyond wants to do—but that’s easier said than done when staff numbers are down. 

“When we see unrest, it becomes very difficult for us to start a recruitment cycle,” Durance says. “Right now, it’s full on. We’re trying to recruit 100 missionaries right now, and a good portion of those go to Europe.” That’s much more difficult when the same governments that are supposed to distribute passports and process travel visas don’t have leaders.

Pray that TeachBeyond will be able to fill those roles and find teachers and missionaries, because the need is great. “The more unrest and unsettledness, the more the Gospel is sharper in those areas,” Durance says. “As we deliver Christian education, for example in France, we want to be the bearers of the hope that brings.” 

If you want to participate in the work TeachBeyond is doing, we’ll connect you right here. If you can’t go, pray.

“Father, as we pray for peace, may the Gospel be the agent of change in countries. We don’t want a band-aid; we’re looking for the ultimate solution to seeing peace come.”

Header photo courtesy of Unsplash.

During the Olympics, Trans World Radio (TWR) and PHARE FM, a network of 20 Christian radio stations across France, have been sharing the Gospel through Christian athlete interviews. But the evangelistic efforts won’t end here.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Photo courtesy of Alexandre Aymard/Unsplash)

Cecil with TWR Europe says, “We believe that the impact of the Olympic Games is to be considered, of course, at the national level, but also for its global impact.”

There’s more Olympics fun to come! “We should also think about the Paralympic Games, which are going to take place by the end of August and also the beginning of September,” says Cecil. “So we believe that the content that is being produced by the TWR in partnership with PHARE FM will continue to be impactful during the month of August, and also until the end of the Olympic Games and beyond.”

Looking ahead, TWR is thinking of ways to continue leveraging Olympic Gospel content to reach more audiences.

Cecil explains, “Our partners in the countries where TWR is present — which is more than 80 countries — have teams on the ground who are in charge of doing the follow-ups with the listeners and then propose additional content.”

Pray for those watching or participating in the Olympics to gain the true prize of knowing Christ.

“The main prayer item is to pray for this content to reach people where they are,” says Cecil. “It’s the strength and the power of media that it can go where human beings cannot go sometimes to reach people where they are, that they can hear the stories and give their hearts to Jesus.”

Header photo of Paris 2024 Olympic Games logo. (Photo courtesy of Xavier Praillet/Unsplash)

Speaking through an interpreter, Mark Sorenson with DOOR International tells MNN, “In the Olympics, there [were] some laws regarding how athletes could share their religion, but because it wasn’t done vocally [and] she signed it, that was sort of ‘under the radar.’”

The video capturing the moment quickly went viral. “Right after that (Leal’s signing), I saw so many shared social media posts [on] Instagram [and] Facebook,” Sorenson says.

“It was blasted all over in the Deaf community.”

Leal is a Hearing person, but recognizing sign language on a stage like the Olympics does much to encourage the global Deaf community.

“Typically, if a famous person, say a movie star or an athlete, [signs] anything, that is taken and posted throughout the Deaf community because it’s recognized [that] this person values sign language,” Sorenson explains.

(Photo courtesy of DOOR International)

Deaf believers gladly seized an opportunity to build on Leal’s boldness. “Some Deaf people [who] posted this video shared a link to where you could find a Bible translation in their signed language,” Sorenson says.

Beyond the Olympics

Leal used sign language to bypass media restrictions and share her faith at the Olympics. In a similar way, communicating via sign language gives Deaf Gospel workers an advantage in countries that are hostile to Christianity.

“I’ve heard many stories where in sensitive, hostile countries, Deaf people can fly ‘under the radar’ and share the Gospel in sign language. Government agencies don’t recognize it, and the Gospel is spread in the Deaf community,” Sorenson says.

“Often, government officials look at Deaf people with pity, or they think, ‘Oh, those poor Deaf people. They can follow any religion because they’re disabled.’”

For example, “I lived in Thailand for three years, and that was a very strong Buddhist nation,” he continues. “I met a lot of Deaf people who said, ‘Hearing people look down on us because we’re Deaf.’ They (Deaf people) are left out and forced to learn life on their own.”

While cruel, this isolation also creates Gospel opportunities. When Sorenson and his team asked Deaf people if they were Buddhist, “They say, ‘Oh, I don’t know. I follow my family’s religion, but I don’t know what that means,’” Sorenson says.

“They were primed to [receive] the Gospel because any information a Deaf person [receives], they drink that up and share it amongst the community.”

DOOR International sends Deaf church planters into unreached Deaf communities through its 2-by-2 program. More about that here. Ask the Lord to give these believers boldness and courage, and pray for open hearts among unreached Deaf communities.

Header image is a screenshot captured by Lyndsey Koh/MNN.

France (MNN) — France is in the global spotlight today as host of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games. While praises for Paris abound, one look at French history tells a darker story.

“One of the key turning points in French history happened in the 18th century when we saw the birth of Enlightenment ideologies, which basically aimed at eliminating religion from the public sphere,” Cecile* with Trans World Radio Europe says.

“That’s why we used to say France is the birthplace of secularism because what happened [during] the 18th century has had a huge impact beyond the French border.”

The Catholic Church played a significant and contentious role during the French Revolution, reflecting broader conflicts between revolutionary ideals and traditional institutions. The Reign of Terror saw increased persecution of those who opposed the government’s policies, including anti-revolutionary clergy.

By 1793, France’s revolutionary government had instituted a de-Christianization campaign, removing religious symbols, closing churches, and persecuting both Catholic and Protestant believers. Bibles were banned, and the “Goddess of Reason” was brought to the Notre Dame cathedral as a replacement for God.

Today, France is reaping a harvest sown by the seeds of secularism centuries ago. France has the fourth-highest percentage of atheists in the world, and Gospel resistance is the status quo. Only one percent of the French population knows Christ.

A quote from the French presidency’s official website reads: “Secularism is one of our most precious values, the keystone of a harmonious society, and the cement of a united France.”

Believers are teaming up to make Christ known in the birthplace of secularism. TWR and PHARE FM, a network of 20 Christian radio stations across France, are sharing the Gospel through Christian athlete interviews during the Olympics.

“We’ve heard stories of athletes who won several medals; these athletes are all sharing [how] yes, this is an amazing achievement. It’s a day they will never forget. But it’s nothing compared to the day they gave their life to Jesus,” Cecile says.

Pray these testimonies will open people to the Gospel in France and beyond.

“Let’s pray for a higher mission effort in France so that we can increase this one percent evangelical Christian [population.]”

Header image depicts the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. (Wikimedia Commons)

“[Games Talk] is framed around three main actions,” says Cécile Chan-Janiaud with TWR Europe. “The first is about touring the city of Paris. [Its] goal is to connect with people in Paris and, through the activities that are going to take place around the bus, to connect them with churches in Paris.”

Photo courtesy of Trans World Radio Europe via Facebook. (The image of the Games Talk mobile studio bus is AI generated.)

The two other actions behind Games Talk are media focused. Team members will be interviewing Christian Olympians who have strong testimonies to share. The interviews will then be translated with the help of AI tech to reach international audiences.

“The goal is to see their faith and how God has been working through their life to use sport for God’s glory,” Chan-Janiaud says. 

“We are not going to distribute this (AI-translated) content without thorough human review. However, the fact that we’re able to leverage artificial intelligence is really a game changer here to make this content available almost in real time.”

TWR Europe is partnering with PHARE FM, which is a network of 20 Christian stations across France. Whether broadcasted on radio waves or shared through social media, these athletes’ stories will reach not only the international community but also the people of France, who have been entrenched in secularism since the Enlightenment in the 1700s.

Chan-Janiaud says people in France are searching for meaning in life. (Photo of the Louvre is a representative stock image courtesy of Chris Anderson via Unsplash)

“It’s interesting to say that we use this word ‘enlightenment,’ which was meant to be thoughts and value which were meant to free people. But actually, what it has done is put really dark, dark aspects in the French society,” Chan-Janiaud says.

“It’s pretty hard to talk about religion and about God in the public arena. However, what I can see, what we can experience as a French Christian person, is that people are so hungry and eager to find [the] answer to the meaning of life.” 

Pray for believers to have victory in spiritual warfare at the Olympics. Then, connect with TWR Europe through Facebook, Instagram or email to catch their gospel-centered, behind-the-scenes content.

“Share this content with your friends, with your family on social media, because we are really aiming to create pre-evangelistic [content] — meaning that [it] can speak to a person [who] has never been exposed to the gospel,” Chan-Janiaud says. “That’s going to be an amazing way to to help us — and also a tool to share the gospel with [people in] your own life.”

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Edin via Unsplash. 

Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says, “Inside the country, on the news, it is not discussed because this means defeat for Hezbollah. And I don’t think Hezbollah wants to be seen as a weak entity.”

A senior Hezbollah official rejected the French proposal on Monday, saying negotiations were not an option until the war in Gaza ends.

Hezbollah announced its support for Hamas the day after Israel declared war in October. “Inside Lebanon, there’s so much anger towards Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into wars that we don’t want,” Nuna says.

“Hezbollah doesn’t want to lose its power and grip over Lebanon, so they want to stay at the border. At the same time, Israel wants to protect its northern border, so they will not allow Hezbollah to stay.”

The Hezbollah flag flies behind a tank. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Tit-for-tat fighting on the border between Israeli and Hezbollah forces has killed over 200 people; at least 170 victims were Hezbollah fighters.

Thousands of Lebanese have fled the southern border in recent months to Beirut, where TM Lebanon stands ready with help for today and hope for tomorrow. By donating to TM Lebanon, you can help believers demonstrate the love of Christ to more people in need.

Ask the Lord to strengthen believers and give them His compassion. Pray also for wisdom so Gospel workers can know who to help first.

“We don’t know if it’s going to escalate; we don’t know if we will have an influx of a million people next week, but we need the wisdom to be ready to cater to as many as possible and not be overwhelmed,” Nuna says.

“The south is empty, and many, many people have left. We have so many families now [in Beirut who] have just arrived from the south,” she continues.

“They know that eventually this (southern region) will be like a war zone.”

Header image depicts Hezbollah fighters marching in a 2018 ceremony. (Wikimedia Commons)

Gathering of ISIS militants on Mali-Niger border in 2021.
(Wikimedia Commons)

The U.S. had relied on the French army to help fight growing extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

The Sahel region had more deaths from terrorism last year than South Asia and the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) combined.

World Mission’s Greg Kelley says, “I think France’s withdrawal is disappointing. But it doesn’t have a huge impact as far as the Gospel is concerned.”

French troops were in place at Niger’s invitation, helping to control extremism. A military coup in late July followed rising anti-French sentiment.

“If you were to ask the people inside of Niger, they would say the corruption has taken over the country. Even though it’s a democracy, it’s almost like a dictatorship,” Kelley says.

“The degree of corruption and how they rule is so alarming that the people would rather have the military in control.”

As power changes hands at the government level, church planters keep their eyes on Jesus and remember their mission.

“Less than one percent of those living in Niger have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That needs to be the focus,” Kelley says.

Send audio Bibles and empower church planters through World Mission here.

Header image is an orthographic map showing Niger’s location in West Africa. (Wikimedia Commons)