In various parts of Syria the church is not just surviving, it is thriving. Support is being used to strengthen new believers through church retreats like those run by Pastor David …
As she rose up out of the water, she shouted: ‘Glory to Jesus!’ her arms raised high. The people around the pool clapped their hands and shouted for joy too. This lady is the first of 16 to be baptised on a sunny Sunday morning in Lebanon.
Pastor David from Syria brought his small church – about 60 members – on a retreat. This church is unusual in that the whole congregation, including Pastor David, are converts from the Druze, a branch of Shia Islam and a minority religion in Syria. Christians from a Muslim or Druze background are especially put under pressure by their family, as it brings great dishonour to them if a family member leaves their religion.
