Iraq

Partner with Local Missionaries in Iraq

Located in the 10/40 Window

Rocked by political unrest due to high levels of corruption and unemployment, Iraq is also still trying to recover from destruction to homes and basic services infrastructure from the invasion by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorists from 2014 to 2017. Many people remain displaced in the country that is 95.8 percent Muslim.

About 1.4 percent of the population practices ethnic religions, and 1.3 percent of Iraq’s people identify as Christian. Of those, 49 percent are Orthodox, 41.9 percent Roman Catholic, and 0.2 percent evangelical.

Iraq’s various ethnic groups include Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmen, Shabakis, Yazidis, Armenians, Mandaeans and Circassians. The official languages of Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish.

Amid the unrest and disruption of lives, local missionaries are finding unprecedented opportunities to share the gospel among the internally displaced and refugees from Syria and other countries. Barely able to keep up with requests for Scripture, they need assistance to purchase Bibles and New Testaments. They distribute these in outreaches on the street, in home visits, as they travel, and as they distribute aid to refugees and the displaced, with demand especially high during Christmas season outreaches.

Evangelistic events geared toward children provide opportunities to share the gospel with their parents as well. Local missionaries need funding to train youth leaders and other leaders, as well as disciples who need to be equipped to share their faith and plant house churches. Some of these churches are forming in refugee camps for Syrians. Workers also need support to cover monthly living expenses.

Local missionaries put in long hours meeting the needs of food, clothing, baby formula and other relief items for the internally displaced and for refugees. A mobile medical clinic provides health care to people who would never have access to such help, with workers also praying with patients and sharing the hope of the gospel.

Sources: Joshua Project, Wikipedia

40.05 million

Population

0.20%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Iraq

Pray that Muslims putting their faith in Christ will be protected from opposition and will find new community in Christian fellowship.
Pray for outreaches to Yazidis and Kurds and the growth of house churches planted in various outreaches.
Pray that resources will become available to meet local missionaries’ physical and spiritual needs amid the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More stories from Iraq

Help Missionaries Purchase and Distribute Bibles in Iraq

Local missionaries carry Bibles with them wherever they go so they can distribute them to those who are interested in the gospel. Gas station workers, soldiers, children, and Muslims are some such people who have been gifted Bibles, as well as people at medical clinics and evangelism events. A donation of $24 will enable missionaries to purchase three Bibles. Pray the Lord’s protection over these Christian workers as they share the gospel.

Train New Believers to Evangelize Muslims in Iraq

In a six-month period, 100 new believers from a Muslim background received discipleship training from a local ministry. “Every person we lead to Christ and who wants to engage in the work of the Lord needs training, especially those from a Muslim background who do not have much Bible knowledge,” the ministry leader said. “We help equip them to preach among Muslims.” You can assist with such training through a monthly gift of $60. Pray for new believers as they prepare to minister to others.

Break Spiritual Strongholds in Iraq

Churches planted by a local ministry continue to grow as people from a Muslim background give their lives to Christ and join local Christian congregations. Most recently, a third church has begun to meet together in one particular city, and about 70 people regularly attend. “Most of them sit on the floor in a small hall to hear the Word of God with all hunger and thirst to know the Lord Jesus Christ,” the ministry leader said. “Souls are growing in the Word and sharing the gospel with many.” Your donations of $25 or $50 support such evangelism endeavors.

Help Bring Entire Communities to Jesus in Iraq

A local ministry is joyfully celebrating the fruits of their labor as house church meetings for believers from a Muslim background continue to grow. "Souls are growing in the Word, and the gospel is being shared with many," the ministry leader said. "The Lord has blessed us with a third meeting center in a large city with about 70 people in attendance." So many people attend this meeting, which is held in a small hall, that most must sit on the floor to listen. Your donations support such evangelism and discipleship.

Help Fulfill the Great Commission in Iraq

Security issues keep Christians from attending local churches in many areas, but they grow in the Lord through worship and study of God’s Word through a WhatsApp group, including questions and answers. In addition, about three times a year new Christians who wish to devote themselves to winning Muslims to Christ are trained in effective ways to communicate the gospel. “Many attended this course and used it to win souls to the Lord,” the ministry leader said. Local missionaries need donations in order to proclaim Christ and disciple new believers. Workers request prayer for protection and the ability to meet needs.

Help Spread the Gospel in Iraq

Ministering to people of varied ethnicities and religions, native Christian workers focused on one group after their ethnic religious rite. “The Lord allowed many of them to accept Christ after we delivered the gospel and Bibles to them,” the ministry leader said. “Today, hardly any church or home church is devoid of believers from this background, and the Lord works among them with strength and salvation of souls.” In another area, workers recently planted a house church built around two families who returned home after coming to Christ in a camp for the displaced. Donations are sought for such gospel work. Pray for the health and safety of new Christians.