Messengers of peace in the midst of war
【Ministry】
Seeing the mission and calling
"I live in an area controlled by Hezbollah, which is one of the regions heavily bombed by Israel. The situation is slightly better in the mountain churches, where many Lebanese people fleeing from Tyre, Sidon, and Beirut have sought refuge. They are staying in our church on the mountain. Every day, we provide three meals for 350-400 people, and we also use hymns to comfort their fears and the pain of losing their homes."
The voice message from Grace (a pseudonym) was, as always, calm. This middle-aged woman, with resilience and determination, carries unparalleled courage and steadfast faith, spreading the gospel of peace amidst the ravages of war.
During a short-term mission trip to Lebanon in June 2024, I met the missionary Grace (a pseudonym). Although we only had brief interactions, we continued to stay in touch after I returned to the U.S. Through this, I gained a deeper understanding of her and her ministry, which fostered an even greater respect for her work.
In 2018, Grace (pseudonym) initially planned to stay in Lebanon only briefly. However, upon seeing refugees who had fled Syria, she couldn't turn a blind eye. Among the displaced refugees, she recognized her mission and calling, resolutely deciding to stay. She began volunteering at a refugee school run by a Lebanese Christian couple. Since Grace didn't speak Arabic and her decision to help was spontaneous, the school didn't immediately assign her formal duties. Humbly, Grace took it upon herself to handle cleaning and tidying, quietly serving within the school.
Grace, being single, had no family burdens, but caring for her elderly mother was a tie she could not let go of. One day, two sisters from the church felt moved and willingly committed to taking care of Grace's mother until her final days. This allowed Grace to serve in Lebanon without worries or distractions.
From a recipient of the gospel to a seed of the gospel
After about six months of volunteering at the refugee school, a Korean missionary couple who ran a church and refugee school in the outskirts of Zahle had to return to their home country. They asked Grace to take over their work. The school had been unable to pay salaries for several months, leaving only three out of six teachers, and all the students had left. Accompanied by the remaining teachers, Grace visited each student individually, persuading parents to allow their children to return to school. Over the next month, more than thirty students gradually returned, and the school was finally re-established.
Two or three years later, the once struggling refugee school gained a far-reaching reputation, even reaching the ears of refugees still living in tent areas. Refugee tribal leaders asked Grace to start classes in the tent areas, but demanded that she simultaneously teach the Quran. The brave Grace refused to compromise, rejecting this request, but assured them that her teaching would provide the best education for children of Islamic faith. The tribal leaders compromised. Thus, Grace began to teach the Christian belief of loving others as oneself among Muslims who believed in "eliminating those of different faiths through force."
After the refugee school on the mountain resumed, a revival in the church followed. Geli cherishes the Syrian youth, many of whom face educational challenges as they flee. She accompanies individual children to various entrance exams, listens to their life struggles, and helps them through emotional distress. The children affectionately call her "Mama Geli." Mama Geli not only values their education and future prospects but also emphasizes character building. Every child and parent is seen as a potential recipient of the Gospel.
All members of the mountain church are Syrian refugees, and all ministry coworkers are Christians, also Syrian refugees. Grace said, "They will eventually return to Syria, and by then, they will all be seeds of the gospel."
Proclaiming the gospel of peace amidst the chaos of war
The brutal war forced many people to leave their homes, and the separation from their original environment prompted them to seriously consider the essence of Islamic faith. The gospel preached by Grace opened their eyes. From beliefs they had to accept without question since birth, many began to doubt and think, eventually choosing the gospel and being baptized as Christians. Later, they further committed themselves to become coworkers, serving more refugees together. By 2024, the church had 27 Syrian coworkers and over a hundred members.
Every Friday evening, a worship gathering is planned and led by teenagers, with around eighty refugee parents participating in Arabic hymn worship. The presence of the Holy Spirit breaks all barriers, uniting everyone as members of God's kingdom. Grace has also established a Bible school in the city of Zahle, offering a three-year program to guide Syrian youth in systematic Bible study, helping them know the Lord more deeply and preparing them for ministry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the less-than-ideal medical conditions in Lebanon, she decided to stay and undergo conservative medication treatment because she could not abandon her ministry work. She repeatedly said, "Thank God for giving us this opportunity and so many people to share the gospel with. But time is truly running out—we must seize the opportunity!"
In September 2024, Israel began shelling Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, with Beirut, Tyre, and Sidon being the most heavily attacked areas. Many people were forced to flee north, seeking assistance at Grace's mountain church. The church took in about 350 people, and every corner of its modest three-story building was covered with refugees' mats. In addition to providing shelter and three meals a day, the church prioritized daily worship, hymn singing, sharing Bible stories, and delivering messages. Under the constant threat of bombardment, where life and death could change in an instant, every conversation with Grace revealed her urgency in spreading the gospel.
Perhaps you and I live in carefree tranquility, where war is merely an image on the news—terrifying but distant. However, after visiting Lebanon and interacting face-to-face with the local people, I realized it is these familiar faces that are being devastated. The Middle East's conflicts are ever-changing; in December 2024, the Assad government collapsed, and what will develop next remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is that the people have always suffered and long for peace. Grace stands as a messenger rescuing souls at the edge of hell’s abyss, continuing to preach the gospel in that war-torn land so that more people may find true and eternal peace.
o learn more and participate in Lebanon missions, please contact Pastor Jeannie L. (jth2006@gmail.com).
[Missionary Series] Interviewee / Grace
In my first year in Lebanon, God moved me to sponsor a Syrian Kurdish refugee family—a couple with four children, the youngest being three years old at the time. For an entire year, we lived together. Every day, we woke up at 5:00 a.m. for devotions and prayer. Their living situation improved, and some bad habits were also eliminated.
At that time, my living expenses came from a Christian entrepreneur. Supporting myself and six additional people was truly difficult. For one month, we survived on nothing but onions and salt. During that period, I asked God: "Do You really want me to stay here?" I knew deeply that my decision to stay was born from God's genuine calling—He wanted me to remain and witness the new work He was doing here. Whenever I felt downhearted, I would reflect on God's words and promises. Time and again, my faith was strengthened, and I was willing to continue staying.
After a year, an opportunity for independent ministry arose, providing a brand-new direction for service, and I began working with refugees and children.
At the beginning of my ministry at the refugee school, I had to take a 50-minute bus ride every morning, followed by hitchhiking up the mountain. If no ride was available, I had to walk for an hour and a half along a desolate road, feeling very afraid. Even when I managed to get a ride, I was still scared—some drivers had bad intentions, insisting on taking me for coffee and saying vulgar things. In those moments, there was no one to help me except God. Those eight months of ministry were often filled with fear and danger, but through God's protection and mercy, as well as constantly drawing near to Him and relying on Him, I got through safely.
After the first church was established, it quickly expanded to 89 families. The church was divided into two parts: a visitation team and church preaching, each led by a Kurdish brother. I was responsible for training them, while the rest of the work was fully entrusted to them. Gradually, I noticed some friction between the two brothers, but at the time, I didn’t pay much attention. One day during a gathering, 31 families were suddenly absent, and the brother in charge of visitation didn’t show up either. When I went to visit him, he complained about how the brother responsible for preaching had behaved and blamed me for not addressing or mediating the issue, so he decided not to come anymore.
Later, I saw baptism photos from a church in Beirut on social media, and to my surprise, these 31 families were among them. Upon further inquiry, I learned that these families had heard they could receive over a thousand dollars if they were baptized at this church, so they all decided to go there. Unfortunately, they all left the church afterward.
I am a middle-aged woman with limited language skills and no special talents. I am not good at socializing, building relationships, or driving. From a human perspective, it seems impossible for me to lead a church. However, I have always believed that God has planted me here, His power is greater than anyone's, and He will not allow anyone to harm me.
After Israel began shelling Lebanon, we received an evacuation notice to seek refuge in the mountains. When we first arrived, our spirits were low because we hadn't anticipated the war would spread so quickly from the border to the inland areas. Five families came with me to the mountain church. The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, I asked God what to do and what the next step should be. That day, I received a message from a sister in America saying she would wire me money. Thanks to God, with this money, I immediately went and filled a car with supplies and transported them to the mountain, enough to provide for the more than twenty families who had fled there at that time.
The sister in America wired funds again and again, all by God’s provision. Since I couldn’t provide official receipts and the mission organization couldn’t accept donations from the U.S., she trusted me completely. This made me deeply feel God’s tangible presence. Every time I felt weak, I would remind myself that God has never and will never abandon me.
During the temporary ceasefire, all ministries resumed, including family worship, youth gatherings, and the Bible school. Some teenagers, rejected by their families because of their faith, were also staying at the school. Even though the mission is not yet complete and challenges arise, I firmly believe that God is holding my hand, guiding me to walk steadfastly on this path of ministry. I also trust that He will move others to continue blessing me!
[Testimony Series] Interviewee / Yara
My name is Yara, a 22-year-old Syrian Kurdish girl who has been a believer in Christ for seven years as of 2024. I was born into a Muslim family, though my parents didn't really practice the religion. In 2017, someone invited us to attend a Christian church gathering, saying the church could help us. The first time I heard about Jesus, I covered my ears with my hands, not wanting to listen. How could God have a son? How could these people believe this? But just three months later, I declared: "Jesus! I believe in You; You are the way of salvation."
After attending a few youth gatherings at the time, an inner struggle began: What is the true path—Christianity or Islam?
One night, I prayed: "God who created me, God who created everything, please show me the right path." After falling asleep, I dreamed of a fireball flying towards me, with death imminent. I uttered the famous declaration that all Muslims say before death, then closed my eyes. The fire reached my body, but nothing happened—I was safe. I opened my arms to the sky and said in Kurdish: "Jesus Christ, I believe in You!" Then, instead of destructive fire, rain came; I kept calling out "Jesus Christ, I believe in You," and the rain grew stronger.
A few days later, I had another dream. Two people came to me and told me about Jesus, bringing me out of a very dark place and filthy water.
I told my family about these two dreams, but they laughed at me and dismissed them. Church friends gave me a Bible, but my family refused to have one in the house. After three years of continuous prayer and fasting, they finally believed in Christ. Now I truly see how the fire of the Holy Spirit works in our home. My parents fully support my siblings and me as we learn and grow in God's grace and Word.
My family and I can always see God's hand in our lives, blessing us. Becoming refugees and arriving in a foreign country, yet receiving grace and becoming citizens of God's kingdom—words simply cannot describe such an amazing miracle!
Pastor Jeannie L., formerly a financial advisor, began participating in missions in 2003 and was commissioned as an overseas missionary in 2009. She later completed a Master's degree in Theology and served as a pastor at the Missions Center of Fort Bend Community Church in Houston. She retired in 2021. Currently, she works part-time and serves in Sunday School, short-term missions, and Kairos ministries.