Christian humanitarian organization Help The Persecuted is stepping up its efforts to address the growing physical and spiritual needs of persecuted Christians and other vulnerable communities in Lebanon. The efforts come as the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah, which controls the country, continues its war against Israel which it began the day after Hamas invaded and killed 1,200 Israeli civilians and taking hundreds hostage.
Regarded as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, and other nations, Hezbollah holds substantial political and military power in Lebanon. The organization and Israel have long been at odds, and the latest hostilities are fueling concerns about a potential escalated battle. Because of Hezbollah’s tight ties to Iran and its function as a proxy, there is a risk of full-scale conflict in the area, which has rendered it unstable.
Lebanon serves as an essential operational base for Help The Persecuted. Thousands of Christians have sought safety in Lebanon from persecution in neighboring countries, where the organization’s Field Ministry Team continues to offer assistance. Growing regional instability raises concerns about future developments, including whether the violence will intensify or abate, which leaves many people fearful and ill-prepared.
READ: Finding Christ in Lebanon’s prisons
Help responded to the problem by The Persecuted are dedicated to providing food and shelter in the midst of upheaval for those in need, acting as “the hands and feet of Jesus” for them. Families escaping southern Lebanon are presently being housed at the organization’s war shelter center, according to Field Minister Amin. Furthermore, thousands of individuals experiencing extreme financial hardship—a worsening consequence of Lebanon’s protracted political and financial collapse—are fed by their Seeds of Hope farm.
Despite the difficulties, Help The Persecuted is unwavering in its commitment to its goal of offering communities caught in the crossfire of global strife both spiritual and practical support.
In August, as the number of missiles Hezbollah had fired into Isreal reached 7,450 thus escalating Israel’s defensive response, more than 1,200 Lebanese Christians gathered outdoors to pray for peace. Amin preached the gospel, and over 90 people asked for prayer. At the end the organization’s pastoral care team member Jalal stated, “There was unity from people. Everyone felt the touch of Jesus in their hearts.” Another attendee said, “We were starting to feel like we were dying, but you kept the spirit alive in us.”
Under Hezbollah’s defacto control of the country, the economic situation has spiraled out of control, especially in recent months.
Amin – Field Minister:
The average of the salary in Lebanon was $800 – $900 per month, now it’s about $50 – 100 per month. They have nothing. They don’t have money to buy any vegetables. And the vegetables are expensive here in Lebanon. It is not cheap. So, by helping people with vegetables it helps a lot.
In the midst of all the hardships, they are seeing the Lord using this situation to draw people to himself, reports MinistryBox. Jalal added: “There is a greater openness at this time for others to know the Lord.” In every Emergency Relief Kit, their team puts a Bible. One day, a recipient said, “This is the most valuable gift you have given us.”
Amin:
All of them they feel the touch of Jesus in their hearts. Because we get a lot of feedback from them. One of them said to me: ‘We were starting to feel like we were dying, but they kept this spirit alive in us.’
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–Dwight Widaman with MissionsBox