reports of an exodus of Christians and bloodshed, which already killed about 620 people this month. Christian Aid Mission (CAM), which supports indigenous missionaries, said it has learned Iraqi believers "have stepped up efforts to spread the Gospel to their countrymen even though some of them are in grave danger from insurgents fighting in the name of Islam."
A BosNewsLife reporter in Baghdad was told earlier by church leaders and aid workers that ordinary Muslims are increasingly interested in Christianity and that believers in Iraq’s capital race through the streets to reach worship services, despite shootings and attacks.
One CAM supported missionary leader, who demanded anonymity for security fears, said he believes the sudden influx and subsequent withdrawal of many foreign missionary agencies following the toppling of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein contributed to this church growth.
MANY FOREIGNERS
"I have never seen so many foreign groups coming into one place [after Saddam Hussein’s government was overthrown]," he said in a statement to BosNewsLife.
"But, as soon as things started to get difficult, many of them pulled out, leaving only the Iraqi Christians to do the work." News of the apparent church revival came as Iraq’s government announced plans Thursday, May 26, to ring Baghdad with tens of thousands of security forces in an attempt to end bloodshed and the related exodus of Christians and other persecuted minorities.
Up to 40,000 Iraqi soldiers and police will ring Baghdad starting next week in what has been dubbed Operation Lightning, aimed at halting a spree of insurgent violence, news reports said.
MILITANT INJURED
The interior minister, meanwhile, said his office believes militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was wounded, while an Internet statement claimed that Iraq’s most feared terrorist group had appointed a deputy to fill in for the Jordanian, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
At least 15 Iraqis reportedly died in violence nationwide Thursday, May 26, including a child killed during clashes between US forces and insurgents in the northern city of Tal Afar. Among the dead were identified a university professor, slain in a drive-by shooting in Baghdad, and three policemen killed in a car bombing in the capital.
Iraqi missionaries suggested that despite new security measures, suicide attacks will continue, as even children are trained for such operations. "Mission leaders learned that [insurgent] fighters have been going house to house in certain areas, demanding a child from each family. Those who refuse are threatened with death; those who go with the insurgents are "trained" for several months for suicide bombing missions, CAM added.
IRAQI FEAR
"Though many Iraqis were glad to be rid of Saddam and glad for the Americans’ help, they live in such fear because of these things," the CAM missionary leader in Iraq said. "In this atmosphere, Iraqi believers know that the need for Christ’s gospel of peace is stronger than ever, and they are determined to spread it.
He urged churches in the United States "to change their ideas" about missions. "They need to trust the natives’ vision to reach their own people and get behind them with support." (With BosNewsLife Research, and reports from Iraq)
