It certainly isn't any coverage of Syria which you would see on CNN or read even in the New York Times. Bad news seems to garner viewers and readers – and there is certainly plenty of that to go around where Syria is concerned. But we Christians should seek an additional narrative, namely, what is happening with Christ's Church in that place. And that has been the story which we at The Outreach Foundation have consistently and joyfully told over the past three years, ever since we wired, in March 2012, a first gift of $13,000 to the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon to assist Presbyterian families (and others) who had been affected by the war. Those initial funds came as a result of dozens of churches and individuals responding to our Syria Appeal. We now praise God for hundreds of donors, and over $700,000 – extravagantly and joyfully given to support the Church and its partners in the region at this difficult time. These gifts have supported (and continue to support) families, providing resources for food, medicine, heating fuel and shelter. Sometimes these funds have been dispensed with urgency, as when we received news of the sudden displacement by ISIS of large groups of people. These funds have provided periodic "encouragement gifts" to supplement the modest salaries of the nine Presbyterian pastors who have remained to serve in a place where a war-time economy has devalued the currency by half and quintupled the cost of normal consumer goods, if they can even be found in the marketplace. And these funds have also been used for empowering the Church to "equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ." And these latter efforts have been especially vibrant when they have focused on young people (like those seen above and at right) – the Church's future….
The Church in Syria is a bright light in darkness and a Word of Hope in the swirl of despair. We hear Paul's word "do not grow weary in well doing." We invite you to continue with us on this journey of accompaniment. Gifts for the Syria Appeal may be made by clicking HERE or by sending a check to our main office.