Fifty Christian families have returned to Mosul in northern Iraq as efforts continue to rebuild one church almost totally destroyed under ISIS rule.
When its fanatical warriors arrived in 2014, they first stole the bells, a gift from the French government in the 19th century, and sold them to be melted down.
The church was subsequently desecrated beyond recognition, some parts housing Yazidi captives, others reserved to torture and hang prisoners. ISIS tried to blow up the clock tower but failed. It was left holed but still standing, unlike the crooked minaret of the Great Mosque of Mosul, now just rubble under some scaffolding.
A huge amount of money and effort is going into restoring Iraq’s historic buildings, much of it from France and the United Arab Emirates. Paris sees itself as having a special role here, dating back to the 19th century.
Rachel Fadipe, SAT-7 UK Executive Director, contextualised what is happening in Mosul, and elsewhere in Iraq, for Evangelicals Now. She explained: ‘The recovery of the Christian community in Mosul is happening very slowly, as only 50 families have returned so far. However, historic Christian-majority towns nearby have seen large numbers return after they fled east to Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. For example around half of the population of Qaraqosh, the largest Christian town, have returned.
‘We continue to hear from Iraqi viewers. It is especially encouraging that many who respond to the SAT-7 ARABIC devotional ‘Daily Bread’ Facebook page are from non-Christian backgrounds. They are seeking a faith that makes sense after abandoning their inherited beliefs. Our Arabic viewer support teams answer their questions and have had the joy of leading many to Christ and continuing with them in discipleship. The majority who contact us are young adults from their late teens to early 30s.
‘One is Assem (name changed for protection). During the protests against government corruption and lack of services that began in 2019, fighting with a militia group broke out. He fled, but was chased by a mob and found himself near a church. He said: ‘I prayed to survive. My prayer was answered and I arrived home safely at 3am. Then God started showing me signs that paved the way for me to know Him.’ He contacted the SAT-7 viewer support team and later came to ‘believe in Jesus as God’s Word incarnate’ and gave his life to Christ. He has now become an avid reader of the Bible and says: ‘I understand I’m now a new creation in Christ. I’m enjoying everything I’m learning. The solution to a sinful heart is Jesus’ redemption, for only He is able to change our nature for a new one.’
