Syria (MNN) — Last week, Iraq’s intelligence service announced that it has dismantled an Islamic State financial network. The network supported ISIS terrorism in Europe and abroad. 

That’s good news, but for Christians in places like Syria and West Africa, ISIS still presents a daily threat. 

Samuel* with Redemptive Stories explained, “An interpretation of Islam creates the scenario for ISIS to exist. It is one strict interpretation that is not held by many. Maybe 10 percent of all Muslims would think that this is a legitimate interpretation.” 

But those who do hold this interpretation often embrace it violently. Because it’s an ideology, Samuel believes ISIS will keep resurfacing worldwide even when networks are dismantled. 

“Anytime those power vacuums exist and chaos reigns, it gives a license and opportunity for organizations like [ISIS] to, again, grow,” he said. 

There’s a misconception that military action will stem terrorism. But military action won’t change a person’s beliefs.

“There are other forms of transformation that are required for someone to be willing to step out of that understanding of Islam into something else,” Samuel said.

Transformation comes through the gospel! That’s why it’s so important to pray for believers in West Africa and Syria. They are the witnesses for Christ in the midst of chaos today. 

“For the gospel to go forth in our part of the world and across Africa, I think we are going to be walking a path of suffering,” Samuel said. “I think Jesus told us that as much in His farewell discourse to us, and was very clear that ‘what they did to me, they will also do to you.'”

Suffering is a hard road to choose. Syrian believers desire stability just like most people in the world. 

“I was talking to a Syrian brother who said, ‘If they opened up the pathway for Christians in Syria to go to Canada, 70 percent of them would go, and I would be one of them that would be on the plane, ready to go right away,’” Samuel said. 

“May we just be in prayer for them and stand with them by being generous, by being encouraging, by sharing their story with others.”

 

*Pseudonym

 

Header photo: A minaret and a church steeple side-by-side in Syria. (Stock photo courtesy of Ali Wassouf/Unsplash)