SYRIA — Anwar, a Syrian Christian was persecuted and thrown out when he became a Christian – he didn’t have a home or family, but he had the incredible hope of life lived with Jesus. Thanks to Open Doors, a Centre of Hope was able to give him somewhere to live, and the chance to teach the next generation of believers. Here’s his story of courage and hope.

Anwar:

My sister called me. She was crying. She started to curse me. She repeated, ‘you are a person without honour…What have your done to your mother, your brother and me?’

Anwar left Islam and the faith of his family to follow Jesus. He tried to keep it hidden, but they soon discovered his secret.

“I went to my brother’s house and noticed all the rooms were closed. Only my room was open, with all my bags placed on the floor. My brother called me and said, ‘I have packed your belongings…Please leave my house,’ and he hung up.”

Because of his faith Anwar was forced to leave his family and his home.

“A friend told me about the Centre of Hope. She also said she would help me with the first month’s rent when I found a place to stay. Through the Centre of Hope, I was offered a job teaching in a village then later teaching at the Centre of Hope too. During this hard time, the Centre of Hope helped me as I follow my faith and as I had to be apart from my family and home. They helped me to start again. They helped me to have new and long-lasting opportunities. If there wasn’t a Centre of Hope I would have been without work and even homeless. I feel like I would have nothing. I would have felt lost.”

Over the last decade, Syrian Christians have faced trauma, war and a staggering humanitarian crisis. Help change the life of persecuted Christian in Syria just like Anwar, through Centres of Hope.

About Open Doors UK

Open Doors is a non-denominational mission that supports persecuted Christians in over 70 countries where Christianity is socially or legally discouraged or oppressed. In their work, they provide vital support, training, and resources to those facing persecution or discrimination.

Resources that they provide include distributing Bibles and literature, running leadership training, assisting with socio-economic development and intercessory prayer. They also help victims of violence and disaster, including widows and orphans, with practical support such as relief aid, livelihood support, and community development projects.

Their vision is of a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is remembered and supported by other Christians. They pray for a world where there is no persecution.

Read more news on Faith Based Organizations, Christian Persecution and Religious Freedom.