The greatest commandment says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength.” In spite of the extraordinary calling — which is to experience God’s love and to love Him in return — we tend to fill our lives with idols. Given the fact that the invitation is to have a genuine intimate walking / talking relationship with the Creator of the universe, how can we (including me) so often treat this greatest of invitations as an obligation to squeeze in along with our many other interests? Most of the things that hold on to us are not evil in themselves but they become idols when we allow them to become a priority that keeps us from the prime directive of our Christian lives. If we are not careful, our “idols” can have a powerful grip on our souls. C.S. Lewis described this as being “like children that are content to make mud pies in a slum because we can’t imagine what is meant by the offer of a vacation at the beach.”
Author Chris Tiegreen describes it well, saying that our idols are essentially one-night stands. They provide a moment of empty pleasure, but there is no lasting joy in them. They string us along with the offer of contentment, but contentment never comes. They rob us of something far more valuable — an intimacy of infinite depth with a Lover whose love has no limits. Tiegreen goes on to say that Jesus does not ask us to rid ourselves of passion, but to turn that passion toward God. When we realize this and break ourselves free from the illusions – or delusions — that make us think we can find fulfillment in anything other than Him, our lives begin to resemble watered, fruitful oases where there was once desert. And, as Christ-followers, isn’t that what we really want? Indeed!
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I received several reports through Dr. Nibras in a very short period of time. I was not able to include everything in today’s Mideast Update and so there will be another update coming out in a couple days. I appreciate those of you who take the time to read these reports. I know they are a lot of reading, but the events being described are historic and need to be shared far and wide. As usual, Dr. Nibras’ and Pastor Abdelrahem’s insights and thoughts are always spot on. This report was received on April 29, 2026. You will read some of the outstanding results of HOB’s evangelism in the second report below.
Peace be upon you, my brother Jack, and upon all the friends of Jesus. Brothers and sisters, you know that a very important Islamic religious occasion falls at the end of May. It is an annual event called Eid al-Adha, meaning “Festival of Sacrifice.” It is the second of the two most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year. To save time, I will not go into all the details of Eid al-Adha, but it commemorates the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, in obedience to God’s command, before God intervened through His angel. Muslims believe that the son Abraham was prepared to sacrifice was Ishmael, not Isaac, as mentioned in the Quran. Eid al-Adha lasts for four days and includes the sacrifice of an animal, an obligation for every Muslim. This holiday takes place on a specific day after the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which is performed by millions of Muslims from all over the world every year.
As I write to you, my brother Jack, the first day of the feast falls on May 27, 2026. Because these Islamic religious occasions are of great importance to Muslims, and because Muslims are more receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ at this time, the HOB missionaries have been working tirelessly to spread the Gospel during this period. God has always blessed them with His special grace during these times, and the number of souls converted has been astounding. Therefore, we must make the Gospel as available as possible in ten days.
What if this is the last opportunity to make the most of this abundant harvest before our Lord calls us to Him? Is that possible? I am certain that we have reached that point in God’s timing. One thing is for sure: with all the violence and wars raging in the Middle East, and with a major regional conflict – if not World War III itself, which seems almost inevitable and perhaps closer than we imagine — many of the people with whom the HOB missionaries wish to share God’s love will not have another opportunity like this. This is not an exaggeration. Here are some verses that the Lord inspired me with when I learned about the situation today:
11And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Romans 13:11-12a
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
I contacted Pastor Abdelrahem and the brothers, and he said that he told you that he did his best to get our printer working because throughout church history, well-off churches have always provided necessary assistance to churches in need. This is in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And truly, God has blessed the Christian Church in the West with an abundance rarely seen in the world. At this time when we see the Day of the Lord rapidly approaching and hear the thunder of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse preparing for their final stampede around this fallen world, and know that the Lord is about to descend from heaven with a resounding cry, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the blast of the Great Trumpet, we realize that we are in the final moments of the race to the finish line, and we must do our utmost! I say this only because your brothers and sisters on the front lines in the Middle East lack the resources they so desperately need, and they need your help — we who have been blessed by God with great bounty. Ask the Lord what He wants you to do today. You will all be amazed at how generous God is in rewarding those whose hearts are aligned with his calling in this short journey of ours in this world, and at such a critical time.
As I look at the situation in the Middle East, a great, full-scale war is about to engulf Damascus, Syria, Iran, and the entire surrounding region. Eventually this will unfold into the war described in Ezekiel 38-39, also known as the war of Gog & Magog — which I believe will be World War III. The end of the age is imminent, the end of the days of the nations, and the beginning of the “Day of the Lord,” also known as the “Revelation of Jesus” in the Book of Revelation.
I’m not trying to sensationalize what we are experiencing today; there’s no need to! The Lord has blessed us with many events, signs, and prophecies that have been fulfilled, so we must be prepared. This is the first time in the history of the Church that all the signs that Jesus and the prophets warned us about have come together at once. It is our responsibility, as believers in the Bible and followers of our Lord, to recognize these signs and the times we live in. Being prepared for and understanding these things was not merely a suggestion from our Lord; it was a command! Yet, as we predicted, there are many who scoff, even in most churches. We are meant to be aware of the times and seasons and to prepare for the coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Most of those in churches today are oblivious, corrupt, deceived, or simply spiritually dead! I am certain that I am writing to those who are not like that!
I know this may sound offensive to some, but it is too late to worry about hurting others’ feelings. Those who understand the message will listen attentively to the guidance of God’s Spirit and will continue on the path God has laid out for them. Our legacy is still being written, but not for long. We, as God’s people, are represented in the parable of the talents. How have we all carried out the Lord’s command to make the most of what He has given us? Are all our efforts being consumed by our personal desires and whims? Are we so immersed in this world and its system that God has no authority over what we think is “ours,” whether it be our talents, our goals, our dreams for the future, or even the money God has given us — which is, in reality, merely a loan? He provides even the air we breathe!
The upcoming Islamic observance is a new opportunity for a great harvest of souls entering the Kingdom of God. God has multiplied this harvest every time the HOB community has gone out and exerted its efforts during these times. God has stopped pagan festivals and false worship every year, and I am certain that this year, 2026, may be the greatest harvest of all. God does not want anyone to perish, and He will do everything in His power to reach everyone who chooses to listen to the voice of their soul. The end of this era is imminent, and the “grace” the world has experienced for the past two thousand years is about to end. The final years of humanity’s attempt to manage the planet without it are about to begin.
God has assigned angels to record every detail of our lives. The Book of Malachi speaks of a book of remembrance. The record of our final days on this earth is being written now. What would you want written in that book? We still have a chance to finish our life’s work in the best possible way. Believe me, I think about this a lot these days!
As expected, the needs in the field of evangelism are immense. Tens of thousands of new believers still lack access to the Gospels. Other basic needs are almost nonexistent in many places — often in the very places where God has placed the HOB missionaries to serve. I do not want to miss the opportunity to help those who serve in these places with absolutely nothing — not even a Gospel. I only mention this again as a word of encouragement, for all your financial support has a truly lasting impact.
With sincere thanks and appreciation from the House of Blessing,
Your brother and servant of the Lord,
Dr. Nibras
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This second update was received from Dr. Nibras on April 30, 2026
Peace be with you and with the followers of Jesus, my brother Jack. As the Middle East continues to change, the missionaries of the House of Blessing continue their work. Over the past few years, this work has expanded from one Middle Eastern country to another. The enemy of our souls has been attacking since the very beginning of this project, when Pastors Rashid and Abdelrahem were directed by the Lord to begin their ministry across the border in Jordan. Almost immediately, the Gospels were brought from Jordan, and the missionaries began spreading the greatest story of all: the story of Jesus coming to earth to die for the sins of humanity. The message resonated deeply, and many began to respond with prayer and repentance, asking Jesus to be the Lord of their lives. At the same time, the enemy began to attack, and lives were lost. Christianity is not accepted in any Muslim society, and according to the teachings of Islam, the unbeliever deserves nothing but torture and death in the name of Allah and his messenger.
The New Testament tells the same story repeatedly, beginning at the start of the Book of Acts after Pentecost. Immediately, the Spirit of God began to descend upon the hearts of those who heard the sermon of the Apostle Peter, and thousands began to accept Jesus Christ as the coming King. Here are some of Peter’s swords recounting this story:
36“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:36-39
If we continue reading this passage, we will find the first three thousand people who pledged to follow Jesus that day. But as soon as the Spirit of God began to work, Satan stirred. In the third chapter of Acts, we find the astonishing miracle of the healing of the lame man, who then ran among a crowd of thousands, proclaiming the miracle he had witnessed. This prompted the religious leaders to immediately convene an emergency meeting to decide the fate of the apostles and the unfolding events. As a result, Peter and John were brought before the authorities and threatened.
With the tremendous growth of the early Church, persecution also intensified. Stephen was the first martyr, as recorded in Acts 7. Later, the apostle James was beheaded, and Peter was imprisoned. The early Church suffered severe persecution for its faith in Jesus Christ, and this persecution continued for nearly two thousand years. The number of Christian martyrs since the 20th century has already surpassed the number martyred from 30 AD until then. From 2000 to the present day, more than a million more martyrs have been added, and the numbers continue to increase annually.
Persecution is something the House of Blessing has always had to contend with but as of late, it has gotten much worse. About a year and a half after HOB missionaries crossed the border into Iran and Azerbaijan to begin preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Iranian Shiite militia formed an organization that has become one of the most persistent and brutal groups of persecutors. This has cost HOB great suffering and a great many lives. Thank you so much for your prayers for the entire House of Blessing community of believers.
On another note, I would like to share a little of Sister Sarah’s story. Over the past few weeks, this remarkable saint has shown what God is doing. Brother Jack, she has been deeply involved with the lessons offered to over 16,500 people who have converted to Christ have been a resounding success. I shared this with Pastor Abdelrahem. I had the honor of visiting all 147 teaching sites and witnessing the teachers’ effectiveness in delivering the educational materials and the ease and speed with which the new believers grasped them. He said it was an inspiring experience to see what God is doing! I added that today, as many teaching booklets as possible are being copied thanks to donations from our sister, Jackie, for one — she being one of the main longtime supporters of the House of Blessing. There are of course a number of others as well. The new printing press has now already copied (at the time of this report) enough educational materials for approximately 2,000 copies, which will be available to us early next week, God willing. The materials are filled with complete Bible passages, making it easier for students to memorize many verses, even without owning a personal copy. Because these students study the Bible for long hours each day to complete the intensive course as quickly as possible, the HOB organization is doing its best to provide them with a meal during the day, and so far have been able to do so. God’s grace is immense!
In northern Syria, where Mufida, Fatwa, Ferial, Hafiza, and the Widow’s Sisterhood are located, the Lord continues to inspire these remarkable women. The widows have been able to serve 19,000 people, healing their wounds — whether skin diseases or other ailments. They pray and receive healing, and then each one has their heart touched by Jesus and they pray a prayer of repentance.
In the Iraq region, Zalatimo, Jaafar, Barzani, and Hanini reported that 18,300 more people joined the community of believers there. These individuals were on their way to a pilgrimage, and the community prayed for them and convinced them that Jesus is the Lord they should follow.
Across all regions, communities of believers continue to gather for special prayers, both large and small. These prayers remain the highlight of their week. Over 13,700 people attended in Sister Fatima’s region, including the surrounding areas of Fallujah, Kirkuk, Dohuk, and Mosul during the past week, while over 4,000 people attended in southern Iraq with Barzani and Abu Haikal. As always, there are other groups gathering in other places that haven’t been counted.
In Azerbaijan, more than 580 people are still receiving discipleship, and in western and eastern Iran, there are approximately 10,000 more. These will soon go out themselves to preach. And more will join the harvest.
Meanwhile, Pastor Aylout Eban and Ma’touq are providing special training, and with the help of Judge Hamoush’s widow, Sister ikhlas, and 50 other widows, 100 men and 100 women will teach various curricula to groups of 1,000 students each, who are at the beginning and middle of their studies. Praise be to God for those who are doing their utmost to raise new missionaries, just as Sami, Shahbandar, and Omar did. God continues to provide.
Please, prayers requested for Abdelrahem and others. They are on a long trip all around the fields. Sorry my report is a little late to all of you. I was on a secret mission to the mission fields.
Your brother and servant of the Lord,
Dr. Nibras
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Thank you all again, especially if you read all the way through these often lengthy reports. The stories and the insights shared directly from the field are important to share just as I receive them — with as little editing as possible. Please share them with others. People need to know the wonderful things God is doing here at the last hour. The next Mideast Update installment will have information I just received and will also include more photos of the new printing press and what is being printed.
Thank you also for your prayer support and financial giving. Every dollar or euro invested in the evangelism done by the House of Blessing goes a long way — and our Father always multiplies it. If anyone has questions or comments, please feel free to use either email addresses below. Thank You!
Thank you all again,
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)