Faith That Endures in War Zones

In many parts of the world, gathering for worship is safe and uncomplicated. In places like Libya, Syria, and Iran, following Jesus often means choosing risk. Faith here is not cultural or convenient—it is costly.

And yet, it is precisely this cost that has shaped a deep, resilient courage. As leaders with NEO US often remind us, the underground church is not a sign of fear. It is a testimony of wisdom, endurance, and obedience. Even in war zones, the gospel continues to advance.

Libya: Seeds Sown in Blood

The story of Fahed captures the weight of discipleship in hostile environments. A 42-year-old Libyan leader, Fahed, oversaw five Discovery Bible Study groups, discipling migrants and Libyan nationals alike. He was also a husband and a father.

When violence intensified in Tripoli, Fahed was stopped in the street and executed. Whether he was targeted for his faith or caught in the broader chaos remains unknown. What is certain is the legacy he leaves behind—a grieving family who follows Christ, and faith communities that continue to meet.

In many contexts, the loss of a leader would halt momentum. In Libya, Fahed’s groups pressed on. His courage—and the courage of those he discipled—reveals a pattern seen again and again: attempts to silence believers often strengthen their witness.

Syria: Prayers in the Crossfire

In Syria’s Druze mountains, ministry unfolds amid sudden eruptions of violence. What began as a local dispute escalated into armed conflict involving government forces and regional powers. Families were caught in the crossfire, and NEO teams faced life-or-death decisions daily.

Nadim Costa described conversations with leaders on the ground:
“It’s extremely hard to hear team members asking that we take care of their wives and children if they don’t make it through the day. We pray together and wait for another morning. We need the mercy of God.”

Here, courage does not mean the absence of fear. It means continuing to shepherd communities, disciple believers, and share Christ when survival itself is uncertain.

Iran: Faith Beneath the Surface

In Iran, persecution takes another form. Believers are monitored, harassed, and frequently arrested. Bombings in cities like Tehran and Isfahan have displaced Christian families. Still, the underground church continues to grow.

Believers gather in homes, change locations often, and share Scripture through encrypted platforms. Leaders know any meeting could be disrupted—yet they persist. Their courage rests not in political freedom, but in spiritual assurance.

A prayer update from leaders inside Iran expressed the tension clearly:
“There is great uncertainty in the country, alongside a rise in religious nationalism. Please pray that uncertainty would not drive people toward despair, but that the Holy Spirit would move across the region—because that is where true peace is found.”

Dreams, visions, and the sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit continue to anchor believers who follow Jesus at great personal cost.

What the Underground Church Reveals

Across Libya, Syria, and Iran, shared realities emerge:

• Faith grows under pressure. What is meant for destruction, God uses for growth.
• Courage is communal. Strength is drawn from one another—in homes, in whispered prayers, and across borders.
• Hope anchors everything. In war zones and authoritarian states, hope in Christ remains constant.

A Story Repeated Across History

The courage of today’s underground church echoes believers throughout history—accused, threatened, and pressured to abandon their faith—yet persecution has never silenced the gospel. Time and again, it has refined it.

Faith That Endures

In Libya, Syria, and Iran, believers live with constant risk. They face militias, bombings, and government crackdowns—yet their faith endures. The underground church is not hidden because it is weak, but because it is wise. It knows when to gather discreetly and when to speak openly, but it never stops proclaiming Christ.

As Nadim Costa has said, “The face of the region—and the world—is changing.” That change is being written through believers who follow Jesus into danger and remind the global church that faith which costs nothing rarely changes anything—but faith that endures in war zones can change the world.