Ministry in this Spiritual climate

by Jonny Chun/ Executive Secreatry of Tentmakers Internatiinal

   The storm of change since COVID-19 hit us, leaving us with a lot of unanswered questions. People around us 

have changed a lot. Their ways to communicate and their ways to learn and educate also have changed, and 

most important of all, the manner in which they think and act has changed.

   These changes really influence the spiritual climate of the world and churches as well.

   We all live in this unusual spiritual climate. As a result, many people on the globe live with profound depression, fears and anxieties. 

This trend doesn't just apply to those people who don't go to church. We who attend church find ourselves swimming in this same group 

along with the rest of society.

   Therefore, those of us who aspire to help others know Christ and build their lives around Him and His truth need to re-orient ourselves. 

How can we Christian workers communicate with the people in this spiritual climate and encourage them with the hopeful message of Christ?

   We don’t know the best ways and solutions yet. But we pray and begin a new way to communicate via internet, SNS. and so on....

   TI-International recently opened some new ways for communication and information. TI last month opened a new homepage so that TM 

workers around the world get into the homepage and can get some needed materials and information. (ppt lectures and articles on 

Tentmaking). And, at the same time, TI-International began to commuinicate with TI/TM leaders at the TI-International group on Facebook. 

I sent the invitation to mission leaders already. If you want to communicate and talk with TI/TM leaders from the World, join us. 

TI recently opened a YouTube channel and plans to put some useful “Tentmaking” lectures of TI/TM leaders from the world so that tentmakes 

and mission workers easily can get the useful information and materials on Tentmaking Missions.

The Surgeon Who Operated for Christ

by Steinar Opheim from Tentmaking Today

   The job opportunities are many, but the Christians who are willing to go, are few. Nowhere in the world is this 

truer than in the Middle East.  In order to honor one of those who decided to serve in the Middle East, we share 

the story of Jany Haddad who worked as a medical doctor in Syria. He finished his race six months ago.  

   More than 250.000 Christians left Aleppo during the war in Syria. Despite being shot at by snipers and having 

to hide during numerous bomb attacks, the surgeon Jany Haddad decided to stay and operate for Christ.

   “If we all leave, who will then give people the Gospel,” said Jany Haddad when TMT spoke to him at a conference in Budapest in 2016. 

If he had wanted to, the Syrian-Armenian surgeon could have moved out of Aleppo and Syria both before and during the war. As a dual citizen 

of Syria and Armenia he was free to travel. In Armenia he had a home waiting for him, and he was offered well-paid positions in UK and Cyprus. 

He did however feel that he could not leave.

[Stand in the gap]

   “I have a burden for my nation, and I love the people in Syria. It does not matter whether they are Christians or Muslims. This is why I have 

decided to stay. Someone must stand in the gap. My desire is to serve my Lord and my nation,” said Haddad in the interview done in 2016.

   At the conference he shared stories of how the life in Aleppo had been during the war. Aleppo was one of the hardest hit cities in Syria. 

Much of the city’s infrastructure got destroyed in the numerous bomb attacks including parts of the Baptist church where Jany Haddad served 

as a leader.

   “We have been without electricity, means of communication, food and water for extensive periods of time. Despite all the attacks, God has kept 

me alive. One day a bomb landed just meters from my clinic. By God’s grace the clinic was spared so we could continue to work for his glory. 

Three times I was shot at by snipers. One time I heard the bullet pass close to my ear. Two times the bullets were shot between my legs. 

Wherever I go I say: Please pray for us. Your dollars can help us buy bread. Through your prayers we are protected so we stay alive.”

[Christian targets]

   The 400,000 plus Christian community in Aleppo was a specific target for several groups during the war. According to Haddad 3,000 of more 

than 4,300 mortars and bombs being poured out over Aleppo, targeted the Christians.

   “Many Christians wanted to stay, but they could not because their houses got damaged beyond repair. They used their last money to get out of 

Syria,” said Haddad.

   For those who stayed, like himself, the opportunities to share the gospel were great.

   “Due to the damaged infrastructure, people had nowhere to go and no activities to attend. Our church was still offering Sunday services, 

women’s groups, prayer meetings and children programs. People who had never been in the church before, came to attend. Through our work 

many people started to read the Bible. Many have got to know Jesus and have received him as their personal savior.”

[Expecting revival]

   The Syrian-Armenian surgeon estimates that around 70 percent of his patients were Muslims. He believes that Syria will experience a great 

revival.

   “People have seen that we have continued to serve them in the midst of all trouble. Often we have helped free of charge. Christian groups 

have also brought food and other things people need to survive, and some have engaged in digging wells to provide water. For me this is the 

gospel lived out in practice. We work to meet the needs of people. Wherever there is a person in need, and I am able to meet his or her need 

– that is my workplace. The help the Christians have provided in this time of crisis, will bear fruit.

[God’s control]

   Jany Haddad was not afraid of dying. Asked about the risks of living in Aleppo, he answered:

   “God is in control and he can protect me. If he wants to bring me home to himself, that is also fine. He decides. I cannot leave my nation. 

If we are not there, who will then give the gospel to people. People need to see the gospel lived out in front of them. We are glad that we have 

a chance to show them who Jesus is through our lives.”

   Jany Haddad died on August 14, 2020 after being infected by the coronavirus. He leaves behind his wife, Sonig, one son and two daughters.