Why do Middle Eastern pastors need sponsors?
It is hard for North Americans to appreciate the atmosphere of oppression that exists for Egyptian Christians. Beloved daughters disappear. They are believed to be held captive by Muslims who forcibly convert them, then marry them, but local police refuse to help Christian parents, who may never see their daughters again. Sons are conscripted in the military, then beaten, tortured, and even killed by fellow soldiers because they are Christians. Christian shops are frequently targeted for attacks and shop owners are beaten. Some native pastors work secretly in over a dozen countries doing the very dangerous work of witnessing to Muslims in a land where Muslim converts to Christ are jailed and even tortured. Pastors who share the gospel and make disciples of former Muslims face severe danger in these countries. They are willing to risk their lives to see the gospel spread and the churches grow in the Middle East.
