Shankill rector visits the Iraqi church with Open Doors
Revd Mark Harvey, rector of Shankill Parish in Lurgan, reflects on a recent visit to Kurdistan in Northern Iraq with Open Doors.
What was intended as a casual conversation over breakfast turned out to be something rather different. At the New Wine Ireland conference in Sligo last July, I shared that breakfast conversation with Eddie Lyle, president of Open Doors UK & Ireland. After discovering common acquaintances (Eddie is originally from Northern Ireland) and some helpful pointers towards Shankill engaging in partnership with Open Doors, Eddie asked me if I would consider joining him and ten other church leaders from the UK on a short trip to northern Iraq in September. A few days later I confirmed that I would be delighted (whilst a little apprehensive) to join the team.
We arrived in Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan region and there followed four very intense, challenging and humbling days as we listened to, observed, questioned and prayed with the Iraqi church leaders and the members of various Christian communities we were so privileged to meet.
The horrors of ISIS were never far below the surface in our conversations. It was harrowing to hear first–hand accounts of the sheer brutality with which they have sought to eradicate these historic Christian communities from a land which has been their home for millennia. The resilience of clergy and of their people in the face of this religious genocide was wonderfully inspiring. The courage and vision of the churches standing up in the face of sheer blood–lust, providing shelter, care and pathways towards healing and restoration were a challenge to someone who ministers in a still divided community. We also learned of the plight of Muslim background believers (MBBs – those who have chosen to convert to Christianity from Islam), and how they are ostracised from their families and communities, often under the real threat of physical harm or even death.
The work that Open Doors supports through local partners amongst those who have suffered so much is a source of real hope for the thousands of Christians who are seeking to rebuild their lives and their communities. From trauma counselling and support, to socio–economic projects, and training for church leaders (both lay and ordained), the work is creating a new hope and confidence that is far more than just survival. Hope is alive and well amongst Iraq’s historic Christian communities. People are being equipped with new skills in order to ensure dignity and future prospects through employment opportunities. Homes and churches are being rebuilt and along with them the strength of many communities is being restored.
Revd Mark Harvey (at the back in blue shirt) with other visiting leaders.
Open Doors works in over 60 countries, supplying Bibles, training church leaders, providing practical support and emergency relief, and supporting Christians who suffer for their faith. In the UK and Ireland Open Doors works to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilising prayer, support and action among Christians.