Hi everyone,
May I share this with you?
I’ve been deeply touched by countless stories from places where following Jesus comes at incredible cost.
As we enjoy Christmas festivities in comfort and peace here in our safe homes, may I encourage you to consider praying for our brothers and sisters who experience great danger because of where they live?
In John 16:33,Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
May I encourage you to scroll down and read the stories of Amina and Hannah in the attached email?
May God bless you and your family this Christmas season.
Graeme Blaiklock.
P.S. I am disclosing that HTP is Christian ministry that I have had the opportunity to serve at a board level over many years.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Joshua Youssef <jyoussef@htp.org>
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2025 at 8:55 am
Subject: Syria, 2025: A Year of Rescue and Restoration
"After witnessing unspeakable horrors in Syria, I arrived broken in Lebanon. Stepping into The Haven, I found more than shelter — I found family again."
These are Khalil's words. He is a Syrian convert to Christianity whose life was threatened when the regime in Syria collapsed on December 8, 2024—exactly a year and three days ago.
You—and our faithful Lord—made his testimony possible.
A Year of Crisis and Response
Over the past year, Syria has descended into unprecedented violence. In March, over 1,000 minority civilians were killed in days.
Then came June's devastating church bombing — 23 Christians murdered during worship. Our Field Ministers told us, "We are alive by faith only.”
•
Above: The aftermath of the church bombing
In the midst of life-and-death persecution, you were proof that God had not forgotten these brave Syrian Christians.
Every time we shared a need, you made it possible for us to respond immediately. I cannot begin to put my gratitude into words.
Because of You...
•We opened our very first safe house in Syria
•We launched our very first Pastoral Care Team in Syria — 8 members now serve in strategic locations across the country, hand-delivering Emergency Relief Kits to those in need
•Our Haven in Lebanon has hosted dozens of persecuted Christians and Muslims from persecuted minority sects
•Entire families have found lifesaving shelter at The Haven, a hotel converted into a refuge center
•Children's sports camps brought opportunities to share the gospel and help traumatized children heal
•Lightning Funds provided emergency medical care and life-saving escapes
Lives Changed Forever
Above: Our Field Minister Farid sits with a woman who survived the church bombing. We provided her emergency assistance and continue to follow up with her.
Here are just two stories of lives forever marked by the terror in Syria this year…and by your profound generosity that gave them hope.
Amina
When the suicide bomber entered the church in June, Amina's husband threw himself toward the attacker, using his body as a shield to protect his fellow believers. He died instantly.
When our Field Minister Farid visited Amina, she told him, "My husband loved Jesus to the point that he sacrificed himself like his Master to protect his family and the believers in the church. He was a beloved of the Lord, so He took him to be by His side. May His will be done. I thank Him for everything."
Because of you, we were able to minister to Amina, providing her with groceries and essentials as she began to rebuild her life.
Hannah
This convert and mother of four was home with her family when armed militias attacked their city. Gunfire and artillery rained down from all directions. Then a powerful shell exploded near their house. A wall collapsed, windows shattered, and shrapnel scattered through every room.
Hannah told us: "I lived His words in that moment of terror: 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' When the shells fell and fear gripped us, I cried out: 'Jesus, make us overcome evil! Make us overcome fear! Make us overcome danger!' And the Lord answered."
Because of you, we provided emergency assistance to Hannah and her family, who all miraculously survived, through our Pastoral Care Team.
There are so many more like Amina and Hannah — and you are making it possible for us to reach them.
New Life at The Haven
•
Because of you, as Syrian converts to Christianity flooded into Lebanon in fear for their lives, we were able to turn a local hotel into “The Haven." At our Haven, we provide not only emergency shelter but a place of true restoration for Syrian refugees. Salma, who serves at the Haven with her husband Aziz, told us that in Syria, “former Muslims were really persecuted, afraid of sharing the gospel or going to churches.” But now, these underground believers can worship Christ openly.
Today, The Haven is a place of restoration…and spiritual renewal. Aziz leads Bible studies and discipleship classes.
Just days ago, a departing resident clutched a Bible and asked, "Can I take this with me? And you will still come to visit us, right?" Salma responded, "Of course.”
From churches destroyed by hatred to a Haven built on love — that is the journey you are making possible. Even as Syrian Christians live "by faith only," The Haven stands as proof that living by faith also means being welcomed into a global Church.
Thank you for standing with our Syrian brothers and sisters, for making every rescue, every baptism, every meal, and every moment of hope possible in the name of our precious Lord.
Your Gift Will Be Doubled
As the year draws to a close, generous partners have stepped forward to match every gift dollar-for-dollar up to $1,150,000 through December 31st.
Your gift today will be doubled — twice the rescues, twice the restoration ... twice the hope for believers who have look st everything because they chose to follow Jesus.
Will you help us reach this goal?p
j
In Him,
Joshua Youssef
President and CEO
Passed on by Graeme Blaiklock the founder of divinestreamradio.com and board member of Help The Persecuted (HTP)
Give Now — Your Gift Will Be Matched
Help The Persecuted is a registered not-for-profit organization, an accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and an Excellence in Giving Certified Transparent Charity.
Australia:
PO Box 678
Penrith NSW 2751
ABN: 87 631 471 29
02 4721 9038
Hong Kong:
GPO Box 7349
Charity IR No. 91/12317
02 4721 9038
United Kingdom:
5 Beehive
Gold Hill Business Park
Child Okeford
Dorset DT11 8HF
Charity No. 1183327
023 8212 0370
United States:
PO Box 20303,
Atlanta, GA 30325
Tax ID: 83-1799054
(833) 777-6247
In Australia, Help The Persecuted is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission as a Public Benevolent Institution (ABN: 87 631 471 29). All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
In Hong Kong, Help The Persecuted is a tax-exempt charity. IR number: 91/12317. Donations are tax-deductible as approved by the Hong Kong Commissioner of Inland Revenue under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112).
In the United Kingdom, Help The Persecuted is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Charity Number: 1183327.
In the United States, Help The Persecuted is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Federal Tax ID: 83-1799054
This email was sent to: bengyeoh@gmail.com by:
Help The Persecuted, PO Box 20303, Atlanta,GA 30325
