A m m a n – The once flourishing Baptist church life in the heavily embattled Syrian city of Homs has nearly died out. Most of the formerly 175 worshippers have left the city. Only 15 believers meet there, as leaders of the European Baptist Federation (EBF) found out in a March 26 meeting with representatives of Baptist Unions from the Middle East in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The whole situation in Syria is strongly characterized by uncertainty and fear, said EBF President Hans Guderian (Berlin) following the meeting. Many Christians were deeply thankful for the relative freedom which they had enjoyed in Syria up until now. This had allowed the Baptist churches to double their membership, growing to about 1,150 members. About 2.5 million Christians live in Syria, making up about 10 percent of the population. Most belong to Orthodox churches. In addition, about 1.5 million refugees have come to Syria from Iraq in the past two years. Along with Guderian, EBF Vice President Otniel Bunaciu (Bucharest, Romania) and General Secretary Tony Peck (Bristol, Great Britain) participated in the meeting. They called for prayer and for solidarity with Christians in the Middle East. “Our brothers and sisters in the Middle East need to know that they are accompanied in this difficult period by the prayers of Christians throughout the world,” said Guderian. It is especially important to pray for the human rights situation, religious freedom and open doors for spreading the gospel.

In addition to the two representatives from Syria, eight church representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip took part in the meeting. Regarding changes resulting from the „Arab Spring“, all reported great uncertainty concerning the future, but also “open doors” for the spreading of the Christian message. “Their faith gives them the strength to continue to remain active even under the changed conditions,” said Peck.

It was reported that three Baptist churches in Egypt had to close recently, after radical Muslims had attacked them. Nonetheless, the Baptist Union of 19 churches and about 2,000 members will not reduce their missionary efforts. In the next ten years they plan to plant 100 new churches, they said in Amman.

In Jordan, there are 20 churches with 1,500 members and up to 3,000 attending worship services. In that country, the situation is considered stable. However, because of their extensive social work – especially among refugees from Iraq and Syria – they have reached their limit. More co-workers and pastors are desperately needed.

The situation in the West Bank was reported to be unclear and difficult. The number of Christians continues to decline. Anyone who can is leaving the area. The lockdown of the Palestinian area through nearly 600 Israeli control points has led to the isolation of churches, most of which are small. In addition, they suffer from sensationally published press releases that later turn out to be false reports. For example, the Baptist church in Bethlehem has been neither closed nor threatened nor destroyed, as was reported by much of the media.

The situation of the three Christian churches, including one Baptist church, in the Gaza Strip was described as especially complicated and tense. Christians suffer double pressure: through the lockdown by Israel and through political pressure from the Hamas government.

Participants in the meeting appeared especially concerned by the situation of Christians in Iraq, with whom they are in contact through visits. Many Christians have left the capital, Bagdad, also affecting the Baptist church which opened in 2004. Whereas the church once had up to 500 worshippers, today there remain only 70 church members. However, in Erbil, in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq, a new and growing church has come into being. It was reported that even numerous Muslims there had converted to Christianity.

According to reports, there are good opportunities for missions and evangeliam in Lebanon. SAT 7, a Christian television network, has greatly expanded its program, allowing millions of people throughout the Middle East to be reached with the gospel. Additionally, churches maintain extensive social work.