Christopher and Caroline (names changed to protect their identity) have been working in the Middle East for over 30 years. They’re engaged in church planting through leadership development as well as investing in underground house church pastors and leaders within the Muslim world in Central Asia.  

Having grown up as a Muslim, Christopher came to faith when abroad and God quickly called him back to the country of his birth. Caroline comes from a western background but developed a love for the Middle East while living and serving on a church planting team there.  When they met, God clearly spoke to both of them that he had a purpose for them together. They soon got married and began working together to pursue this purpose.

What is your vision for what you are doing?  

We would love to see the multiplication of house churches in every corner of this country. There is a high risk of persecution from the government for anyone who turns to Christ and spreads the gospel. 

Culturally this is a very different environment to what most of us have experienced. What are the highlights and biggest challenges you face?  

We have a team made of locals who are scattered in different locations. One of our challenges is creating community among our leaders, and then the leaders they are training. Because we’re mostly interacting online, when we are able to get together face to face we experience incredible life and joy. The last time we gathered, we saw the outstanding faith that these leaders have as they work in such a challenging environment. They have to depend on him so deeply, and again and again, we hear stories about how he comes through for them! 

The economic situation in our country is really stark and often people are just trying to survive. We’re trying to help believers to start businesses in their homes so that they can support their families, rather than working multiple jobs. A steady income will allow them to focus on the people they still want to reach.  

We all need encouragement and affirmation. Where do you find this in your situation?  

One of the challenges for us as a team is being separated from our teammates and also being fairly isolated in our location. But when we’re able to see the believers we’re working with face to face, we’re so encouraged.

When people respond to the newsletters and the prayer requests we put out with, “I’m praying, I’m thinking about you!” that means the world to us.

It’s lifegiving to us when visitors come to be with us, pray with us and just listen to us process the things God is stirring in our hearts.  

How can people get involved in what you’re doing?

• Subscribe to our newsletters where we share updates about our work and prayer requests
• Be part of a prayer group, including receiving real-time or urgent prayer requests
• Come to pray over the land that we’re living in and the land where we’re focused
• Give financial support for ministry projects such as feeding the poor which gives us access to people in all different corners of society who may not ever have contact with a Christian. These kinds of projects not only meet physical needs, but they also give us opportunity to locate many people of peace, people who are hungry to know more about God. Through such projects we’ve been able to start many Discovery Bible Study groups that have multiplied!
• For those with business expertise, help us coach believers to create and carry out successful small businesses in their homes
• Become an English language partners with refugees over Zoom 

How can we pray for you?

• Safety, clear vision and wisdom for us and the underground house church pastors and leaders we’re working with
• Multiplication of what God is doing – finding people of peace who are open to the good news
• Financial provision and prayer support for our various projects
• The present situation in the Middle East

If you would like to support Christopher and Caroline in their mission, or find out more about how you can help, please email [email protected]