Pakistan (MNN) — It’s been over a week since the Pakistani military raided an underground recording studio operated by a Christian ministry partner, forcing him to flee. There is still no word on his location today.

Greg Yoder of Keys for Kids Ministries says officials took what they wanted in the raid and destroyed the rest.

(Photo courtesy Keys for Kids Ministries)

“It’s between $5,000 and $8,000 worth of equipment that’s been destroyed, but right now, our concern is mostly for him (Brother Labib),” Yoder says.

“He has a wife and children, and so we’re really concerned about his whereabouts.”

Help Keys for Kids Ministries replace damaged equipment.

Raid interrupts expansion into Iran

Brother Labib used his underground studio to record and produce Christian audio material for Keys for Kids in Dari, Urdu, and Pashto.

“This particular producer was working for us and for our partner FMI to create a new language (Farsi), and he was in the midst of this project when the raid took place,” Yoder says.

Having material in Farsi would have allowed the ministries to begin work in neighboring Iran. With Brother Labib’s help, Yoder says. “We have been able to distribute at least 13,000 or 14,000 Storyteller units into Pakistan and Afghanistan, and soon, Iran.”

Yoder adds, “Pastors are saying these (audio devices) are game changers for us because most of the people cannot read, or they will not read, and so having these units with a full Bible in audio [and] stories that describe biblical truth… It’s meat for them.”

(Photo courtesy Keys for Kids Ministries)

Family waits as ministries seek safe passage

Brother Labib’s wife – a new believer – and their two young children anxiously await his return. “The director of the ministry is heading there as we speak, and so she’ll be getting food, anything that she needs to cope with the situation,” Yoder says.

Pray for Brother Labib’s well-being and for him to reach a safehouse run by FMI in the region. Pray that his family will find peace and comfort in the Lord.

“We don’t go into these places with the understanding that we’re going to be safe. It’s dangerous work,” Yoder says.

“It is a war that we are in, and it’s not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers,” he continues.

“Satan is alive and well. He doesn’t want this to succeed, [yet] it has been succeeding because many people have come to faith in Jesus Christ.”

According to Yoder, “23 churches have been planted in Afghanistan since last January because of the Keys for Kids Storyteller ministry and our partnership with FMI.”

 

Header and story images courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries.