INFORMATION SERVICE

 
Baptist World Alliance
Eron Henry, Associate Director of Communications
Neville Callam, General Secretary
Website: www.bwanet.org  
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 703 790 8980
Fax: +1 703 893 5160      

September 14, 2011

For Immediate Release

Syrian Baptists affected by uprising

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Washington, DC (BWA)--Baptists and other Christians in Syria have been adversely affected by public demonstrations and violent government crackdowns in the Middle Eastern country since January of this year. Several thousand protestors were reportedly killed.

 

"Many families, especially Christians, have left cities like Homos for the rural areas. Others have chosen to emigrate," the BWA was informed. There has been "fear and tension among the children, especially those who are in areas that have witnessed daily shooting."

 

Businesses owned by Christians "have been impacted and this has affected the livelihood of people."

 

Baptists have remained engaged in the midst of the turmoil. "The Baptist church in Syria is actively pursuing its mission, visiting families, sharing the message of the Gospel, distributing scripture, as well as distributing relief packages and medications as needed," the report, which came via Lebanon, said.

 

Syrian Baptists have requested prayer "that the Lord may bring peace and that He may preserve Syria from this trial that we're currently going through" and that "a sense of responsibility may be awakened amongst believers that their lives may witness to the grace, peace and love that we have in Christ."

 

Believers ask that prayer be offered for "ongoing meetings focused on resolving the issues in a nonviolent manner;" the strengthening of new believers; the provision for needs of the church and believers; protection; and for "ministries of compassion that are currently underway."

 

"We place our lives and families in the Hands of God," Syrian Baptists told the BWA.

 

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