The reunion with his brother encouraged Haydar, who started a ministry among other Kurds. He first began by going door-to-door among Kurdish refugees in Jordan, developing relationships and talking about the Lord.

The young missionary, now 25 years old, has returned to Iraq to work among the Kurdish people.

Kurdish believers have requested 50,000 Bibles, and ministry workers are now praying for the means to purchase these.

Another Christian-Aid supported ministry among the Kurds began in 2001. Three groups of volunteers distribute the Word of God. The ministry currently oversees nine different house churches in Iraq, and seven in neighboring Iran. Their current project is to gather enough funds to print hymn books for their churches.

More than 70 ethnicities reside in Iran, infamous for its human rights abuses and economic deprivation. Christians face arbitrary arrests and discrimination in jobs, housing and education.

Iran has been accused of aiding terrorist groups and pursuing a uranium enrichment program for atomic weapons. According to former Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami, the number of young men joining terrorists groups has increased in the last five to six years.

Although Shi’a Islam is the official state religion, citizens of Iran—like those of Iraq—are extremely open to the gospel. Under Islamic law, proselytizing is forbidden. But many Iranians have approached Christians to request copies of the Bible—despite the fact that Islam teaches that the Bible is corrupt and unreliable.