Faith on the Border: When Discipleship Doesn’t Stop for War
Names, locations, and images have been changed to protect the identity of individuals in sensitive regions.
When global headlines turned to conflict and airstrikes, a quiet movement was already unfolding in the hills of northern Iraq. Two Compel coordinators were leading a discipleship training with local believers and a group of Iranians who had crossed the border to attend. As war escalated nearby, the training didn’t stop — and neither did the Spirit’s work.
Between Borders and in the Middle of God’s Story
June 12, 2025, was an ordinary Thursday — until it wasn’t. That day, just before war erupted between Israel and Iran, a team from Compel was quietly finishing a week of discipleship training in a Kurdish region near the Iraq-Iran border. The training brought together a young local church made up of Iraqi Kurds and two brave families who had crossed the border from Iran, risking their lives to receive spiritual equipping.
As news of the conflict spread and flights shut down, the mood shifted. Fear gripped families back home. Exit routes vanished. But in that very storm, God’s peace remained.
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Despite the risk, the Iranian families refused to leave early. “We must finish what God has started,” they insisted. And so they did. For the next several days, the team continued meeting — opening Scripture, praying, dreaming of new churches in unreached regions. As one field coordinator later reflected, “The Lord gave us a sacred and unforgettable time together.”
The Church in KURDISTAN: Small, Bold, and Strategic
In a city, close to the Iranian border, a newly planted church stands with uncommon resolve. Every member is a new believer. Their leader, also a recent follower of Jesus, shepherds the flock with joy and courage. These men and women have counted the cost and chosen Christ — and they are not looking back.
Their vision is unmistakably Spirit-led: to plant three new churches — one in their own Kurdish region of Iraq, and two within Iran. Despite fresh tensions in the region and the very real threats of war, their prayers are bold, their plans in motion.
“It’s like the Book of Acts. They’re living it — reaching their neighbors, crossing borders, and choosing Jesus over safety.”
Walking Through Fire, Led by Peace
When the bombings intensified — reportedly a joint strike from the U.S. and Israel inside Iran — the two Compel coordinators had to leave the region separately. One traveled overland across the Turkish border before flying home. The other took a road convoy, accompanied by security, through Iraq to Jordan. Still, the weight of what they witnessed — and the stories of those they trained — left an indelible mark.
Even in the chaos of geopolitics and war, Christ is building His Church.
“This is a church like an army with banners, led by the Lord of Hosts. It is planted in a thicket of thorns — caught between two nations, and yet perfectly positioned in the heart of God’s mission.”
Please continue to pray:
For the church in Sulaymaniyah as they prepare to multiply.
For the Iranian believers who returned home with vision and boldness.
For peace in the region and the reign of Christ in hearts and communities.