In the past 20 years, I have longed for our team to be able to set foot in Libya and minister to persecuted believers there…but the country proved to be nearly impenetrable.
Sharing a border with Egypt, Libya is an extreme Muslim stronghold in the North African region, with a very small, minority Christian population totaling approximately 35,000. It is illegal to share the gospel and bring Bibles into the country. If a man wants to marry a Muslim woman, he has to convert to Islam. Christians face death threats, being disowned, physical violence, and other types of persecution. Libya currently ranks in the top three countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
However, after nearly two decades, we have made connections with Christians in Libya. This month, we hired our first on-the-ground Field Minister in the country, Aseel! Like our Field Ministers in other countries, Aseel will meet with persecuted believers, minister to them, and help them rebuild their lives after persecution.
As a part of our hiring process, we asked Aseel about the risks involved with this work. “Aseel, you might end up in prison if your efforts are found out,” one of our Field Ministers said. Aseel replied, “Well, if I end up in prison, that’s because God put me there. I will trust Him.”
Then, she shared how, outside of prisons in Libya, Christian activity is heavily monitored. However, inside prisons, there are no such restrictions. Much evangelistic activity in Libya is actually happening inside prisons—so people who are sentenced for crimes unrelated to religion sometimes hear the gospel in prison, come to faith…and, when they are released, share the gospel with those outside.
The courage of our Field Ministers amazes us, reminding us of the glory and worth of the God we get to serve.
Please pray for Aseel as she begins her ministry this month. She is already working with several persecuted believers, providing them immediate help through Lightning Funds and offering spiritual support.
And please pray for the nation of Libya. May Aseel’s efforts have far-reaching effects throughout the entire nation—drawing more and more people to the Lord as we, together, Rescue, Restore, and Rebuild the lives of these persecuted believers.