In early December 2024, Syria’s regime, led by Bashar al-Assad, fell after 13 years of a civil war that displaced 12 million people.
During those years, many Syrians fled to other regions of the Mediterranean and to Europe. With 2.8 million people, Türkiye received the most Syrian refugees, while 775,000 sought refuge in Lebanon. Wherever they went, Syrian refugee populations experienced discrimination, sometimes hatred, and often violence. The fall of the regime presented new possibilities for the Syrian people but also uncertainty.
Alaa, a Syrian believer and Live Global national partner with a two-pronged ministry to Syrians in both Lebanon and Syria, has been waiting and praying since December to see how the regime change will impact the fragile situation for his countrymen.
On Thursday, March 6, violence broke out in Syria, leading to the mass killing of people in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus. These regions are strongholds of the Alawite people, a sect of Shia Islam and the people group to which the Assad family belongs. Some sources inside the country report that over 2,500 people were killed. There is some uncertainty regarding the perpetrators and their motives, or how the Islamic army of the past or the new government fits in. There are many questions, and Alaa says, “The people are so tired from wars.”
Along with his teams in Syria and Lebanon, Alaa is a Muslim-background believer. He understands the complexities of the clans of the region and the dynamics of foreign powers mixed with Syria’s displaced or minority people groups. In the midst of conflict, he sees the need and the open door to share the hope of the gospel. He has developed centers to provide educational classes for children, training courses for women, groups for men, and a gathering for new followers of Jesus.
His Syrian Family Center in Lebanon continues to serve refugee families during this time of uncertainty. Although some have left to return to homes they fled during the civil war, others watch and wait, wondering what their homeland will look like after opposing powers wrangle for influence and control. With fragile infrastructure and limited resources, they want to see what life might be like when the moving parts settle. Those who came to know Jesus while outside of Syria wait to see if the new regime will tolerate a Christian minority.
In Alaa’s recently established family center in Syria, uncertainty is multiplied. With Islamic extremists still in the region, the team needs to be careful about meeting in groups and asking women and children to come to the center for activities. Alaa needs to discern the hearts of those who are interested in hearing the good news. He prays regularly for wisdom to know how and when to present the gospel. Alaa knows first-hand what persecution and torture are like; he’s experienced it before. He feels the weight of responsibility to protect those seeking truth in a Muslim context. He also knows that precious resources might be taken, so he regularly prays for God’s protection. “It’s God’s work,” he knows.
“The people need justice, peace, and calm,” he says. “The world is a crazy world without believing in God’s peace.” He explains that many Syrians are afraid of what may enter into the vacuum of governance, and they desperately want to be rescued from war.
The observance of Ramadan presents additional opportunities for him to share the gospel. He speaks about the difference between the month-long Islamic ritual fast and a “Jesus fast,” during which he prays for others to be saved.
This year Alaa plans to gather the families touched by both ministries for retreats in their respective regions. His team will bring Syrian people who have lived in so much conflict into a peaceful, outdoor place that allows for hospitality and open sharing.
“We would be able to meet the new parents to share the good news with them and to encourage them to join our Bible groups and the crochet ministry for moms. It has been a great way to get to know new families. Sharing time with their kids [and] having fun and happy times together opens their hearts.”
“Sometimes I believe that our ministry among them is the only source of hope and joy for them amidst all the uncertainties and troubles.”
Alaa
He says that without believing in God’s peace, the Muslim world will remain in conflict and fear. “Sometimes I believe that our ministry among them is the only source of hope and joy for them amidst all the uncertainties and troubles.” He requests prayer as he leads his two teams to compassionately and carefully share the hope of Christ.
An ABWE worker serving with ABWE’s Open Initiative to reach Syrian refugees echoes Alaa’s call for prayer. He says, “We are praying for laborers to see the need and opportunity. As war and displacement uproot millions, many Syrian refugees find themselves in spiritual crisis, questioning their beliefs and searching for hope. Yet, while the gospel has an open door, secular ideologies like humanism often reach them first.”
His team is working to mobilize workers to host regular outreach events in refugee communities and meet practical needs in order to open doors for gospel conversations. They pray that God will use this time of uncertainty to bring many into his eternal kingdom.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the people of Syria during this current unstable situation.
- Pray for peace as the new Syrian government comes to agreements with other regions and minority people groups.
- Pray for the ministry of the family center in Syria and for wisdom, discernment, and protection for Alaa and his team.
- Pray for the Syrian Refugee Family Center in Lebanon and for ministry resources so Alaa and the team can continue to care for people and share the gospel.
- Pray for ministries serving displaced Syrians throughout the Middle East and Europe through the Open Initiative. Pray that their outreach events and aid distribution will open doors and hearts to share the gospel in refugee communities.
- Pray that Syrians will place their faith in Christ as their hope amid crisis.
Editor’s Note: Alaa’s name has been changed for security.
