Syria is Looking for a Light at the End of the Tunnel

The Alliance church in Syria decided to start a project as part of its ministry to meet the increasing need of counseling people. Let us pray for wisdom for the church’s leadership to enable them to empower and encourage people and to see opportunities in the middle of this dark atmosphere.

The last years of war and the devastated economy in Syria have produced post-trauma depression, anxiety and other emotional and mental challenges on the people. The situation is bad and gloomy, and sanctions are devastating the economy. “For the first time I see large portions of our people close to starvation with no light at the end of the tunnel. In my estimation, this is the worst year ever in the country,” says Reverend Edward Awabdeh, president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Syria.

Pastor Edward and the leadership committee will start a counseling project in a rented facility. Three part-time counselors will run the center, assisting people two to three hours per day. After three months, they will adjust the hours according to the demand.

The focus will be teenagers, and young men and women who have been and still are under continuous stress and are suffering from broken or dysfunctional families. The expectation is to help up to ten people each week. The Alliance church would like for this center to be a part of the regular church ministries. This initiative, that also includes a food distribution relief project, will receive support from the AWF Global Response to COVID-19 program.

We are grateful to our Lord for the heart of these pastors. They want to assist the churches and their communities in these times of distress. Let us pray for strength and wisdom for them as they help people find refuge in Christ, and leaders to see new opportunities to share the gospel.