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June 3, 2025 Church Plant in Northern Iraq
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Church Plant in Northern Iraq

 

              Map highlighting Baghdad and Duhok in Iraq

 

Dear Partners in Mission:
Thanks to your faithful prayers and support, a new church has been successfully planted in Duhok, located in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. This growing ministry is being led by Pastor Akram, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Baghdad, who now also pastors the Duhok community alongside his wife, Zainab, who plays a vital role in ministering to the youth and helping nurture the next generation of believers.

Despite the ongoing challenges facing the church in Baghdad, including financial strains tied to ministry needs and legal pressures surrounding the evangelical presence, God remains at work.

“In the heart of the struggle, the Lord weighed on our hearts to move with a mission to the North of Iraq and establish a church in Duhok”, shared pastor Akram. As we look back, in His perfect timing, the Lord had already been preparing the way. One of the key reasons Pastor Akram was led to Duhok is the movement of several families from the Baghdad congregation who had relocated there over the past few years for various reasons.

 
 

Brother Shiyar’s Story

 
Shiyar’s journey has been one of displacement, hardship, and deep sorrow —but also a powerful testimony to Christ’s presence and provision.

After discovering the Resurrection Church through Facebook and becoming a committed believer, his journey was marked by persecution, displacement, and fleeing from war, injustice, and hardship.

His path took him from Syria to Lebanon, then to Baghdad, and later to Diwaniyah, where his family faced both cultural and religious persecution. This immense struggle led to his son Adam reaching a point of severe depression, even attempting suicide but God intervened.

Consequently, Shiyar made the courageous decision to move once more, this time to Duhok. Despite all the uncertainties and obstacles, God was faithfully with him on his journey, providing him and his family with a church where they found belonging.

(Left) Shiyar and His wife Layla with Pastor Hikmat when they were in Lebanon. (Right) Pastor Akram’s home visit to Shiyar’s family

 

 

Today, Shiyar and his family are actively involved in the Church ministry of Duhok. His wife serves in home groups, and their children attend Sunday school.

Additionally, one of the sisters who once served faithfully in our Baghdad church had also moved to Duhok, and there, she stepped into ministry—visiting homes, nurturing relationships… Through her, doors began to open for more home visits where we could meet families, pray with them, and offer care.

 

(Left) Fellowship Meal at the Church Location in Duhok (Right) Home Group with Pastor Akram in Duhok

 

 

(Left) Children of Duhok church (Right) Sunday Church Service in Duhok

 

 

Kurdish Church Plant in Duhok

 

Goal
Summary
DescriptionDAN and SARAH were the first IM global servants in the Arab world. Dan is an adjunct professor at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary. He promotes strategic Arab ministries through Enduring Love, a ministry that currently reaches people in seven countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Sarah pioneered a ministry, INSAAF: Justice and Compassion of Jesus, that assists migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Lebanon working as maids. In addition to overseeing the integrated center, she visits and ministers at three prisons, advocates for the rights of maids and fights human trafficking. Sarah’s journals are available on the IM website; Dan cannot post journals or photos online due to their sensitive nature. However, individuals can subscribe to his Enduring Love newsletter to receive updates.