Witness in Wartime: Gospel Ministry Under Conflict
With the US-Israel war on Iran entering its second month, millions across the Gulf are living under the shadow of conflict. These include believers, pastors, and churches, whose faithful witness is crucial.
This month, we invited three of our ministry partners in the region to share the challenges of serving in this crisis. We ask you to pray for these nations and our brothers and sisters who daily depend on God for strength.
Missiles Over the United Arab Emirates
In the last month, the UAE has been a primary target of Iranian missile attacks. Eric Zeller, president of Gulf Theological Seminary (GTS), a TMAI affiliate school, described constant alerts and sleepless nights.
“More than two thousand missiles and drones fired at the place where we live and minister—that’s a lot. Each barrage, wherever it is aimed, generates a phone alert, multiple times most days and throughout most nights. Each barrage leads to explosions.”
Eric noted several days in March as the most intense period of attack.
“Monday night, we were woken up by several missiles being intercepted directly over our house, looking out our bedroom window and seeing burning missile fragments falling from the sky in our direction, eventually landing in the yard of the house two doors down.”
In times of conflict, the work of pastoral training and biblical teaching is not an afterthought. It becomes even more necessary for the health of the church and its testimony.
“God’s word is sufficient for wartime,” Zeller wrote. “Our ongoing work of equipping the church with biblical truth results in people who stand firm because they know God’s character is true. So we are continuing with church services, continuing with seminary classes, and laboring in the individual ministry of the Word.”
“Our students are scared, and tired, and our team is too. But as we take refuge in the Lord and persist in the ministry of the Word, unbelievers around us can see more starkly than ever the uniqueness and beauty of Christian hope.”
Prayer Requests from Eric
“Pray for the believers of the UAE to shine the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ amidst all of the darkness of war, fear, and anxiety. Pray for people with gospel courage, boldness, and steadfastness to set an example in this situation that sets a tone for the next decade of fruitful ministry.”
“Pray for our GTS faculty and staff families to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Pray for the Lord to continue providing at every point the workers he wants here for the work he wants to be done here.”
Seeking Shelter In Israel
The Israeli people have lived in the reality of war for years, and the long-term cost goes far beyond physical damage. Missile attacks spread out over the day create a state of relentless anxiety, as locals have only minutes to take shelter after hearing sirens.
A TMAI ministry partner serving in-country described these constant interruptions to daily life.
“We have had many days when we need to go to our bomb shelter five to ten times. Each time we need to wait there ten minutes, so it is difficult to concentrate on much. The same is true for everyone living in our area. All schools and universities are closed. Many people work now from home to avoid travel. The roads are really empty because a car is the most dangerous place if a missile hits. We drive only when it is necessary. A few times we did need to stop and find a bomb shelter, because this can save your life if a missile impact is near.”
“All this means we have a constant "ambient stress" that we feel. One day we felt stressed, so decided to go for a short walk. But right after we left the apartment, we had a siren and had to run to a nearby shelter in another building. There we waited for about a half hour.”
With the risks of travel, gathering with other believers has become both harder and more precious. Our partners shared, “We continue to pursue the ministries the Lord has put before us, but the isolating nature of this conflict means we see people less.”
In these hardships, these believers must depend on unshakeable truths.
“We remember that God is in control of this situation, that He is good, and that He has a plan for Israel.”
Prayer Requests
“Pray that the conflict will be finished soon, and that the threat to Israel and the other neighboring nations will be stopped.”
“Pray that freedom for the Gospel will come to Iran (1 Tim. 2:2).”
“Pray for our congregation here while we are restricted from meeting together.”
“Pray that we will be kept safe, and that we would be of good courage.”
Displacement in Lebanon
Lebanon is the home of Shepherds’ Training Institute (STI), TMAI’s member school in the Middle East and North Africa region. In the last month, Israeli attacks on this neighboring country have resulted in over a thousand casualties. An STI faculty member described the scale of the conflict’s impact.
“One million people, almost twenty percent of the population of this country, have been internally displaced, forced to leave their homes and take refuge with family, in shelters, or in rented apartments. This includes some members of our local church and students at the training center. Prices of gasoline, diesel for heating, and other commodities have soared.”
Though God has graciously preserved STI’s team and their families, the day-to-day work of training and ministering carries new difficulties.
Faculty explained, “The conflict has created challenges for ministry in the local church and the training center by disrupting people’s daily lives and schedules. Some students have had to leave their homes temporarily, and everyone has had to watch the news and the situation carefully, which distracts them from other priorities and responsibilities. Thankfully, despite these obstacles, classes have continued on schedule and the students have been able to keep learning.”
The crisis has also given Lebanese believers avenues for outreach. Faculty described how local church efforts are providing relief for displaced families, “opening up opportunities to proclaim Christ to those who may have no exposure to the gospel.”
As they persevere in ministry, the STI team affirmed that their greatest comfort rests in the promises of Scripture. “In times of distress,” they shared, “words such as ‘I am with you always’ come alive and give refreshment to our souls.”
STI’s faculty had another biblical encouragement to offer those wrestling with the realities of war. “We must all remember that suffering and death, though part of God’s plan, are tragic consequences of The Fall and the resulting curse on all creation. As God says in Ezekiel 33:11, he takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked,” rather his desire is “that the wicked turn from his way and live.” We must grieve the death and hurt caused by war. We must pray for peace, and especially that sinners would know peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.”
Prayer Requests from STI
“Pray that believers in this region would stand firm in faith, love one another, and trust in the God who works all things for their good.”
Pray for STI's students as they continue in their academic programs, that "the Lord will use these men as fruitful and faithful heralds of His grace and truth."
While the locations and experiences differ, our ministry partners in this region are all facing the physical and spiritual burden of war. Though they are weary, they desire to persevere. Please join us in praying that their faithfulness will further the Great Commission and honor the Lord who is worthy of all.