Recently I had the pleasure of getting to talk with Victor Marx about his recent trip to Iraq and something that has been weighing on his heart; the persecution of Christians. All Things Possible (ATP) Ministries recently got back from Iraq, where they worked to help victims of trauma in Mosul during the battle for its liberation.
Before I called Victor, I needed to do my research on Mosul, and the persecution going on there. I came away from my experience in shock as the story of Christians in Mosul is terribly depressing.
Last year, CNN reported that when ISIS took the city of Mosul they “marked Christian houses with the Arabic equivalent of the letter “N” for the derogatory term Nazarene.” They told Christians that they had a choice: they could leave their home, convert to Islam, or die. Before ISIS captured Mosul, there were close to 35,000 Christians living there; but today there are only around 30.
The propaganda being pushed by ISIS portrays Christians as sinners who seek to destroy all Muslims. They encourage violence to spread their perverse interpretation of Islam. When you don’t have personal connections with those different than you, it is easier to be indoctrinated by those who preach hate. The stories Victor shared with me from their trip illustrate just what they are dealing with.
For example, there was a man who drove a taxi, and now and again when he felt called by the spirit, would share the gospel to those who looked like they needed the good news. One day when the man was approached by a masked extremist carrying an AK-47 who told him he could denounce his faith or lose his life. The man refused to comply and was shot repeatedly; merely for sharing his faith.
The loss of Christians in places like Mosul makes it easier for ISIS to warp the minds of Iraqi’s by spreading lies and propaganda. Wherever ATP Ministries went in Iraq they let their words and actions serve as a living argument against the hatred being spewed by simple minded extremists. “Sometimes you feel bad for the extremists, a lot of them were kidnapped or recruited as children. They are somebody’s kids” Victor told me, but also said that what ISIS is doing cannot go unchecked.
The question for many of us at home is, what can we do to help?
Here are three things you can do to help Christians in Iraq
1. Pray
If any of you know Victor, you know the first thing he would tell you to do is pray. Like Paul instructed, we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” We need to make sure to pray for those Christians who get up every day not knowing if they are going to live or die, but still, have the courage to walk out the door and share the gospel.
Victor also wants us to remember to pray for the extremists, that their hearts might be changed. After all, Jesus told us to “pray for those who persecute you.”
A powerful way to show our faith in God is by believing in the power of redemption, even for the worst of our enemies.
2. Donate to ATP Ministries
ATP Ministries operates on the front lines and help break down the narrative created by ISIS, that Christians are all evil and want to kill Muslims. When you support ATP and Victor you help change the hearts and minds of those ISIS seeks to indoctrinate. When people see, Christians seeking to help every victim of trauma regardless of their faith, it sends a strong message. The work that ATP does in Iraq is critical when you are engaged in a war again violent ideology.
However, let’s be real, it takes money. Taking lions and lambs to children in Iraq requires a lot of planning, training, and resources. I encourage you to donate to this worthy cause, because the stakes are real, and the people in Iraq need our help.
We don’t have to put ourselves in harm’s way, but we can make sure that those who do have the proper support.
3. Fight against prejudice in your own heart and in your community
I once heard Eva Kor, a survivor of Auschwitz, say that prejudice is an evil which can grow in all of us. The biggest threat to extremists like ISIS are countries like the United States which prove people of different faiths can coexist peacefully. It’s easy to demonize an entire group of people based on the actions of a few, but it doesn’t make it right.
Victor told me that he was saddened to see the same type of hate he saw in Iraq coming out of the mouths of people at home. You should also know that whenever there is a story of hatred towards Muslims in the news, that radicals use this to convince people that Christians hate them. If what ISIS is doing to the Christians in Iraq constantly weighs on your mind, be sure not to let it corrupt your heart.
As Victor says, it is love that will defeat the extremists, not hate.
Conclusion
When I first started writing this, I had to do some research on it. After reading articles and reports on the horrific acts going on in Iraq it was hard not to feel dejected and helpless. Yet after talking with Victor about his last trip, I came away hopeful. With God all things are possible, and His light will drive away the darkness. If you are like me and feel compelled to do something about what is going on over there, I invite you to take part in the struggle. Support the efforts of ATP Ministries through prayer, donating, and representing Christ to all who you meet.
John M Kraps II
John M Kraps II is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with an M.A. in Strategic Communication and a B.A. in Communication Studies. His passion lies in nonprofits that work to protect vulnerable populations around the globe. Kraps. He also serves as a Youth Pastor in St. Petersburg, FL. You can contact him through Twitter: @JohnKraps.
