Home News Bites WHAT COULD INCREASED VOLATILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST MEAN FOR THE CHURCH?

WHAT COULD INCREASED VOLATILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST MEAN FOR THE CHURCH?

Image: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

By Alex Pollock

Over the past 14 days, at least ten countries in the Middle East have engaged in airstrikes, as the ongoing Israel/Gaza conflict threatens the fragile geopolitical relationships in the region. On Tuesday, 16 January, Iran fired missiles into Pakistani territory aimed at taking out members of an Iranian terrorist group known as Jaish al-Adl in Balochistan. Pakistan retaliated and the skirmish resulted in both countries revoking their ambassadors. While relations were soon restored and ambassadors reinstated, this is just one example of how current tensions in the region are threatening usually friendly relationships. Many countries and groups involved in the recent escalations are members of the “Axis of Resistance,” a very loose alliance between countries and groups backed by Iran in response to Western influence in the region. Hezbollah (Lebanon), the Houthi rebels (Yemen), and Hamas (Palestine) are all members of the alliance and have all been active in the last two weeks.

Iran itself has been directly involved in attacks on the Islamic State (in Syria, due to Iran’s support of the Syrian government), Pakistan (as mentioned above), Lebanon (due to its support of Hezbollah and therefore in response to Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon) since Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on 7 October. While Tehran has said it is not looking to create further conflict, several analysts believe the Iranian government is using the Israel/Gaza conflict to further its agenda in the region. Iran is frequently involved in proxy wars with its adversaries, such as those in Yemen and Syria. In turn, it is often the populations of these countries, including the Christian population, who suffer the most. Apart from its fight against the West, Iran’s involvement in the region is also an ‘Islam versus Islam’ battle. As the main Shia world power, the struggle between the factions of Islam often results in nominal Muslims questioning war being carried out in the name of their faith. The global Church can pray that those who are questioning the violence waged in the name of Islam will encounter Jesus during this time and come to a saving knowledge of Him.

One of the most volatile borders in the region since the beginning of the Israel/Hamas conflict is the Israeli border with Lebanon, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah have been engaging in cross-border hostilities almost daily. The village of Rmeich, a predominantly Christian village in southern Lebanon, has borne the brunt of hostilities as Hezbollah and Israel exchange fire. Many residents have been forced to flee, and those who remain report increased worries of the conflict becoming another all-out war. The Christian population in many Middle Eastern countries is very small, and thus needs the support of the global Church to encourage and assist them.

Due to the United States and United Kingdom’s (two nations long associated with Christianity) support of Israel and their recent attacks in Yemen, it could become more difficult for churches in these nations to support the Christians in the Middle East by visiting them in person, leaving the door open for Christians from the global South, whose influence in missions is growing steadily, to step in and fill the gap.  Since we know that Christ is the ultimate solution and source of peace, we are confronted by the reality that there is often little to no chance of a human solution to these conflicts. Yet, despite this, Christians are called to be peacemakers, and ambassadors of reconciliation, and to pray for both the persecuted and the persecutors.

Please pray with us for the following:

  • For a peaceful resolution to be found for each conflict in the Middle East region
  • For the Church to play a role in finding such solutions and for Christians in the area to be equipped as peacemakers
  • For the global Church to make the most of the opportunities presented to them and for all those who do not know Christ to have an encounter with the one true God

Putting Action to Words:

Despite the volatility within this region, God is at work, using and growing His Church for His glory! Check out INcontext International’s active projects through partners in these regions and join God in His mission by prayerfully getting involved in any of these areas, or in the work of other ministries serving in the region.

To find out more, please contact Jeremiah, our Field Relations Coordinator, at