I received a call from Pastor R and, as soon as I heard his voice, I knew something had happened. He was barely able to hold back the tears as he told me that Pastor Farid had been killed just the day before. The details of what all happened are still being gathered but before I pass on what Pastor R told me, I would like to remind you of who Pastor Farid was and the supernatural intervention he had experienced.
Farid was a very influential Muslim Sheikh when somewhere around two years ago or so, he was reached with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Soon after, he entered into the House of Blessing School of Ministry and proved that even though blind, he had a very sharp mind and excellent memory. Upon completion of his studies, he began to share the Gospel with anyone who would listen. He however had a great desire to share the love of God to the men in his old mosque and so made arrangements to do so.
Of the many hundreds who were present, the reception at the mosque was mostly good—even though he went as far as to tell them that the Qu’ran was really from Satan and the only true holy book was the Bible. There were a few Islamic extremists there on that day and it did not take long until they in their fury grabbed Farid, drug him outside, and beat him until they thought he was dead. They then carried his body out and threw him onto the rest of the city garbage.
I won’t retell the entire story here today, but the update with the whole story was written on November 19, 2018 and is in the archives for anyone interested. In short though, Farid had a visit from an angel who not only healed him of his terrible injuries but also his blind eyes. The angel spoke other things to him that the Lord wanted him to know and then when Farid told him that all of his seven grown children were also blind from birth, the angel touched him once again and told him to go home, tell everyone the good things God had done for him, lay hands on his children and pray for them. The angel told him they would be healed, and, just as promised, that is exactly what happened.
Additionally, Farid was given a gift of healing for the ministry God was calling him to. Since that time, he and his family of grown children have been praying for hundreds of people every day. He soon became known as Pastor Farid, and that is how we have referred to him ever since. Only God knows how many of the souls ministered to had a change of destiny during the ministry he and his family had had since November, 2018.
Very few details have come available but apparently, some jihadists had been watching and when he and his family were all in their house, they placed explosives all around his house so that no one could escape, and then ignited it. All those inside were killed. I don’t know how many other family members were in the house, other than Farid’s wife. Maybe there were others. After it was safe enough to do so, HOB missionaries went through the rubble trying to find any remains so that they could bury them.
Of course, all of the believers in Mosul have been grieving, as has all of the House of Blessing. For Pastor R however, it is even more difficult. He has lost so many of his close brothers and sisters in the last few years. Farid had become a good friend. I have spoken to and prayed with Pastor R countless times after events much like this latest one. He often wonders why he has been spared so many times when others were not. But, as most of us know, God’s ways are not our ways and His plans are not often understandable to us. So, we trust Him in all things, and at all times. God is good.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15 ESV
In all other areas, the work of the missionaries continues. The healing testimony of the twin 7 year old boys continues to spread everywhere. Hundreds of people are asking for prayer. Mufiedah, Fadwa, and Sarah working with about 40 widows were able to bring about 170 to accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There were also a great many people healed. It is the same with Pastor R’s having been brought back from death. People all around want to meet the God that can do such things!
Omar, Mussa, and Sami and their team also are continuing to lead large numbers of people to praying the sinner’s prayer. At least 280 were brought into God’s kingdom since my last update. It is the same with Adel, Abed, and many hundreds of other unnamed HOB missionaries scattered all across the Mideast.
The situation continues to be very difficult among those in the HOB community of believers in western Iran. They did however see 45 virus stricken people healed. This is a very encouraging sign as the believers there have really been hit very hard.
The HOB community of leaders and the believers they oversee are grateful for the prayers and support from all of you who read these updates. There is no distance limitation to answered prayer. We serve a God who hears and answers and it seems, the closer we get to the return of Jesus, the more obvious God’s interventions in people’s lives are becoming–especially in the third world. Lost souls are being brought into God’s Kingdom by the score! Praise God!
Forever in His Service,
Jake