Church in Syria Growing Despite Persecution

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Aug 12, 2015

Church in Syria Growing Despite Persecution

Although Christians in Syria have experienced a surge in persecution due to kidnappings and attacks by the Islamic State, Pastor Tom Doyle says the Church in Syria is growing. 

The tragedies that have befallen Syrian Christians recently have been manyfold.

Over 230 Christians have been reported missing and over 15,000 more are considered to be at risk of Islamic State violence, Christian Today reports.

Despite these threats and the violent deaths some have suffered, Christians in Syria remain steadfast and committed to their faith and are even actively evangelizing for Christ, according to Doyle who is the vice president and Middle East director for global ministry e3 Partners.

Doyle shares a story in his book “Killing Christians” of 10 church planters in Syria who were given the option of leaving the country and getting to safety or staying and continuing to risk their lives for the Gospel. All 10 stayed and even recruited 15 more church leaders to aid them in their work.

Doyle adds that "[T]o seal this commitment they went out and bought a plot of land so they can bury each other when they die as martyrs." 

Not only are church planters and leaders in Syria continuing the fight for the faith, but they are seeing people come to Christ and join the Church.

Ancient Christian author and apologist Tertullian famously declared that "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

And though that seed be as small as a mustard seed, it is growing.

Publication date: August 12, 2015



Church in Syria Growing Despite Persecution