Summary

SummaryI’m John Samara, Founder and Executive Director of Ananias House. Recently, my heart was heavy as I shared how our young pastor Jacob was kidnapped by terrorists in the Middle East—blindfolded, threatened with hanging, yet he held fast to Psalm 27:14 in his mind until God miraculously rescued him 😊. I also told of an 8th grader whose family called off two forced marriage proposals after we prayed together, and of a 17-year-old girl who, even after prison violation for her faith, worshiped in her mind through every trial 🙏. We celebrate how children in our schools brought one loaf and some rice, prayed, and saw God multiply their food so all nine classmates ate—and there was leftover to share 🍞. I spoke of equipping women leaders, counseling trauma, and walking alongside churches under threat. Finally, I invited you to pray for wisdom, protection, and encouragement for our brothers and sisters facing persecution. Glory to God alone! ✨

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Gospel workers in restricted and hostile nations risk their lives to spread the gospel. One worker in the Middle East, Jacob, was kidnapped last month and held by a terrorist group. He was kept blindfolded, not knowing if it was day or night. The group threatened to hang him. Even in captivity, this young newlywed pastor’s heart was to share the good news and help build God’s church by spreading his Word.

Thankfully, Jacob has been rescued from captivity and reunited with his wife and baby. Listen as John Samara, founder and executive director of Ananias House, shares how Jacob had memorized Scripture before being taken captive, and how he held onto several passages during his time in darkness.

With the scripture indelibly written on his heart and mind, Jacob was encouraged by the promises of God despite persecution for his faith. One verse that encouraged Jacob was Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait on the Lord.”

John also shares about a new book, Through the Eyes of a Child: Encounters with God in the Middle East. Ananias House is working in schools, sharing the gospel as they provide an education to children who might otherwise not receive one.

John will share stories from the book of a teen imprisoned and violated for her faith, yet praising and glorifying the Lord in the midst of it; and of a young child who prayed with his classmates over their small amount of food and saw God perform a miracle.

You’ll also hear how John and his team are training up women, who often face disrespect in that culture. Now many are reaching other women with the gospel and even leading their husbands to Christ!

John will equip listeners to pray for Ananias House and for the Body of Christ in the Middle East and North Africa.

—————– Source —————–

Time Chapters
 
01:30 Interview Begins
02:00 Jacob’s Captivity & Rescue
06:00 Purpose of “Through the Eyes of a Child”
09:00 8th Grader’s Prayer Deliverance
13:00 17-Year-Old’s Faith in Prison
15:00 Training Women Leaders
18:00 Miracle of Food Multiplication
21:50 Prayer Requests for Ministry
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Voice of the Martyrs USA
The Voice of the Martyrs serves persecuted Christians in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ.  
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