After the war that started in 2003, many Christians in Iraq – including Adventists – left Iraq to seek asylum in other countries. Some fled to neighboring countries like Jordan and Syria, hoping to be able to go back home one day soon. Some also went to the north of Iraq where the situation has been safer. About 10 families went to Duhouk city in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq.
Iraq used to have a strong work going, with hundreds of active members and congregations in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk. We still have some faithful members in Baghdad that worship in the nice and spacious church center that the church owns and that has been expanded after the war started.
Because of the violence, kidnappings, explosions, Christians fleeing the country in large numbers, and the loss of the majority of the Adventist members who also have left the country, it has been difficult to do outreach and to progress with the work in Iraq. For some time there has been a dream to start a new work in Kurdistan, in the north of Iraq, away from the violence of Baghdad. Now the dream has come true. Pastor Oweda Wehbe from Egypt has accepted a call to serve in Iraq Field as a pastor in the city of Duhouk in the Kurdistan region. The family is already established there and about to start their new work. A place has been rented as a gathering place and parsonage.
It is exciting that God has opened a window of opportunity to start a new work in this northern, un-entered area of war-torn Iraq. Ten years ago this might never have been thought possible, but God had his timing and we can now praise him for making a dream come true. We pray that pastor Oweda together with his family and the Adventists in northern Iraq will be able to build a strong church and an effective outreach to the local communities.
- Basim Fargo, Iraq Field President/Kjell Aune, Middle East Union President
When you think about “discipline” what comes to mind? If we analyze the word itself it means to train, improve, correct, or develop in accordance to certain rules. Although, these meanings mainly lead to something positive, the word discipline usually carries negative connotations. This is because people often maintain order or carry out instruction through punishment.
But what about God’s discipline? Do you consider it as punishment too? As it is unavoidable for protecting the children and helping them in their development, discipline is necessary for everyone. After all we are all children of God. In Heb 12:4-11 we read that God’s discipline is a demonstration of love. This thought is highlighted especially in verse 6, “Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Solomon explains this meaning in a similar way that, “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” (Pro 13:24) According to the Holy Scriptures discipline is the act of love that reveals new direction, educate, and build up. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” (Jim Rohn)
Recently, the world has sat in rapt attention at the display of popular movements in the Middle East, as people clamor for the formation of democracies in their countries. These demonstrations are guided by the widely accepted idea that each nation’s citizens have an inherent set of rights.
One of these rights is that of religious freedom, or the freedom to worship or to abstain from worshiping as one pleases. The idea of an inherent set of rights for a nation’s citizens is widely accepted, even expected in most places. Because of this sense of expectation, the feeling of freedom is often taken for granted, until it is taken away. In an effort to promote this idea of the protection of religious freedom, Public Affairs and Religious Liberties (PARL) Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with a focus on the Trans-European Division, met at the Middle East Union headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon from February 22 to 26 to discuss best practices in carrying out their work of communication and fostering relationships with governmental bodies, religious groups and non-governmental organizations.
Celebration highlights history of denomination’s public relations; A continuing need for church communication professionals
Adventist Review
Verse of the Day
Ephesians 6:12-13
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
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Recently, the world has sat in rapt attention at the display of popular movements in the Middle East, as people clamor for the formation of democracies in their countries. These demonstrations are guided by the widely accepted idea that each nation’s citizens have an inherent set of rights.
