I usually include a short personal thought as an introduction to each Mideast Update but Pastor Abdelrahem sent a message to me in which he shares some brief thoughts that should be valuable to all of us, no matter what stage of our Christian life we are in. I received this email on September 21, 2026:
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Peace be with you, Brother Jack, and with the Lord’s loved ones there. Prayers and supplications are being offered to the Lord here, alongside esteemed rabbis and sheikhs. A great number of brothers and sisters have completed their fasting and sought forgiveness from the Lord of the Universe. They have been taught about the nature of God’s love: Will it truly endure? Will it persist even despite their shortcomings and sins? Does the Lord wipe those sins away? Can their human weakness as Christians diminish His love for them?
Psalm 103:17 tells us that the Lord’s love (His mercy) is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him, and his righteousness extends to their children’s children. His love is also faithful — a love that never forsakes!
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:11-14
God’s love for us surpasses our own capacity for love, mercy, and faithfulness toward one another. Because of this great love, our sins have been erased; and as stated in 1 Corinthians 1:30, once we submit to Jesus our Savior, we are clothed in His righteousness — not our own. Does this prevent us from falling into sin? Not yet! We have all sinned more than we care to admit, and at times we have suffered the consequences of our errors. Yet, this verse tells us that He understands our human nature — that we are made of dust, or of flesh and blood. He knows our weaknesses and flaws. Yet, as we mature in our walk with Christ, we become increasingly like Him. Through His blood, He has bestowed upon us the robe of His righteousness to wear. The Father sees us in this robe, clothed in the righteousness provided by the blood of Jesus.
Understanding the phrase “from everlasting to everlasting” — found in verse 17 of this Psalm — is of the utmost importance, for it signifies that God has loved us “from everlasting.” What does this really mean? It means He does not merely love us now; He has loved us from eternity past. He loved His true children before they were even created. He knew us before the foundations of the earth were laid, and He will love us forevermore. We cannot fully comprehend eternity, yet one day we shall! Will God’s love for His children ever fade or cease? No. God’s love for those He has chosen — and who have accepted Him as their sole Lord and Savior — extends from eternity past, through our lives, and into eternity future!
How, then, ought we to live? We should cherish God’s great love and live as ambassadors of the Most High, following the guidance of His Holy Spirit throughout our brief journey in this fleeting world, until He calls us to our eternal home. After all, each of us has been part of His plan from the very beginning!
Your brother, a servant of the Lord,
Abdelrahem, along with the honorable Rabbis and Sheikhs
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The report below was received from Dr. Nibras, also on September 21, 2026. In this email, Dr. Nibras shares some of his thoughts on not giving up on our prayers just because we have not yet received the answer we are looking for. Sometimes, God’s will is for us to WAIT for His provision, in His time, and in His way. Sometimes we try to manufacture answers to our own prayers. They always fall short!
In the latter portion in Dr. Nibras’ report, he shares a wonderful story of God’s miraculous touch with the Gospel on the hearts of a group of Muslim imams with the Gospel. It’s another wonderful story of God’s amazing grace!
Brother Jack, greetings. I will begin with Matthew 7:8, which contains these words: “Everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
The words used in this passage — “ask”, “seek”, and “knock” — imply continuous, ongoing action. Jesus did not tell His disciples to ask only once, to seek for a brief moment, or to knock just once when praying to their Father. A question that has long arisen during our Christian journey is this: Why is there often a significant delay between the time we pray and make our requests and the time we receive an answer to those prayers? Hasn’t God already prepared for all our needs and everything He has called us to in this life, even before we ask? Is He not able to give us the answer we need immediately?
Indeed, He can, yet He usually does not. Prayer has a higher purpose than merely asking and receiving; it also helps us know God better. Many things happen between the moment we pray and make our request and the moment God answers us. Sometimes, God moves us from making a mere passing request for our needs to intensifying our prayers — a level of prayer we might not have reached otherwise. This intensification leaves a mark on our spiritual lives — something we often remember — and also benefits those around us. Ultimately, when God answers us (providing what He had already prepared for us before we asked), both we — the ones praying — and those joining us in prayer experience God’s kindness and wisdom in a way we might not have known otherwise. Unfortunately, most of us tend to forget God’s blessings if they do not leave a mark on our spiritual journey.
Therefore, we must not fall into the trap of giving up on our prayers, thinking that God does not hear us. God alone sees the full picture, and He orchestrates everything perfectly for the ultimate good of all. It is God who builds His Kingdom, and He allows us to participate in this process — what a tremendous honor! So, persevere. Do not be content with asking, seeking, and knocking just once; keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. God will always answer in His perfect timing. Even His refusal of a request may be for your own good. Be patient in your prayers, yet make them persistent!
In the last call I received from Omar today, he shared details of another incident that occurred yesterday. As the story goes, Omar and a large group of missionaries from the House of Blessing were sharing the Gospel with people when a man named Sheikh Abu Islam approached them. He asked Omar to bring the rest of his team over. I was told that this man was from a mosque Omar and others had visited previously — an occasion when they had been expelled, beaten with shoes, and verbally abused. Abu Islam was very polite with the men; he told them he earnestly wanted some of his old friends to have the opportunity to meet Omar and the brothers. He said that if Omar could spare two hours, he would return with his friends.
True to his word, Abu Islam returned within about two hours, accompanied by twenty men — most of whom were mosque imams. After initial introductions, they sat down and spent the next two hours sharing the Gospel message with the men and answering their questions. It turned out that these men had found a copy of the Gospel in the mosque recently — left behind when Omar and his companions were expelled. He and the Muslim leaders had been reading and sharing it among themselves. As a result of their discussion about the Scriptures, they decided to believe what they had read; they now had a much clearer understanding of who Jesus Christ truly is and what Christianity is all about. They then asked for prayer so that they too could become followers of Jesus, the true Christ. The missionaries took the twenty men by their hands and prayed with them, asking Jesus to forgive their sins and become the Lord of their lives. What a blessing! The harvest continues to pour in!
Brother Jack, these men have a following of over 10,000 people — mostly from Mecca, and some from Medina. They had originally gone to the mosque to study Islamic Sharia, but — for the sovereign Lord is mighty — Omar’s Gospel fell into their hands, and these brothers became born anew. They had traveled a long distance — over two days — and had even gotten lost in the desert; yet Abu Islam insisted on searching for Omar, and he found him praying with the other brothers, humbling themselves in prayer and seeking the Lord’s direction.
In closing, we ask you to continue praying that the funds will come in to complete the purchase of the printer for southern Saudi Arabia to provide Gospels and teaching booklets so that other souls may be born into the faith. They are very, very hungry for the Word of God!
Your brother and servant of the Lord,
Dr. Nibras
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The third report was also from Dr. Nibras, and was received two days later, on September 23, 2026. In this report, Dr. Nibras shares another miraculous story — although, also with the difficult news of an attack by the evil one in his attempt to stifle the Good News of the Gospel. In spite of his attacks, the Church, as the Bible foretells, is, and will continue to be, triumphant.
Greetings, Brother Jack, and peace to all who believe in the Lord Jesus. I am sorry to share this news with you; the heart grieves and the eyes weep at the passing of the Lord’s loved ones. I received an unexpected phone call from Omar, who called to tell me about an extraordinary event involving a man named Sheikh Al-Tarbouchi.
Sheikh Al-Tarbouchi was a Muslim sheikh. Less than two weeks ago, Al-Iskandari and other missionaries from the House of Blessing shared with him the message of Jesus Christ. After truly listening, realizing the power of Jesus’ blood to cleanse from all sin, and experiencing a living relationship with God, he became a follower of Jesus. After receiving discipleship, the brothers began teaching him other biblical principles and training him to carry on the evangelistic mission. God soon granted him a special anointing, and he became an influential preacher for the Kingdom of God. From the day he believed, he dedicated his entire life to the mission he had received from the Lord. He also generously spent his own money to support the ministry and provide food for the people. I never expected, Brother Jack, that the number of believers would reach 3,500.
Some time ago, the Spirit of God began prompting Al-Tarbouchi to visit a nearby mosque — located between Taif and Mecca — where he used to teach. He obeyed the Lord, connected with the mosque officials, and was granted permission to enter and give a talk. The brothers, Al-Iskandari, Omar, Shahbandar, and Mortada — along with others from the HOB leadership — also went.
According to the report I received, at least 800 men gathered at the mosque to hear him speak. He began his talk by telling them that, just over two weeks prior, he had come to believe in Jesus Christ, the true Christ. Sharing his testimony, he told the gathered men that during his years as a Muslim sheikh, he had taught lies rather than the true Word. After coming to faith, he prayed day and night for God’s forgiveness for what he had taught, yet, lacking knowledge of the Bible, he had taught out of ignorance. Now, having grasped the wonders of the Bible — even though he had learned it solely through Al-Saftawi and the brethren, Al-Tarbouchi felt compelled to share the timeless truths of this great Book with everyone.
After recounting his story and delivering his message, he invited the men in the mosque to pray for the forgiveness of their sins. Ensuring they understood that sincere repentance is a prerequisite for the prayer of repentance, he guided them, ten men at a time, in praying for repentance and submitting to Christ Jesus. Following the prayer sessions with the assistance of the HOB brothers who accompanied him, the mosque was so filled with the Spirit of God that over 1,350 people cried out at the top of their voices: “Glory to God! Hallelujah!”
The fervor was undoubtedly reminiscent of the early Church, as people from all walks of life discovered the beauty, peace, and serenity that come from placing one’s life in the hands of the one capable of liberating humanity into a relationship with Him. Acts 6:7 offers this glimpse into the history of the early Church:
Then the word of God spread, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Another Biblical passage, found in Acts 8:4-8, provides us with a further example:
4Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in the city.
The history of the Church, from its inception, is the story of thousands — now billions , who have personally encountered Christ. This continues to happen across the globe today. History has witnessed the rapid growth of the Church in recent generations. It is an exciting and encouraging phenomenon; yet, the story of the miraculous growth of the Church of Jesus Christ today — as it has always been, is stained with the blood of martyrs.
Afterward, brothers Omar and Al-Iskandari went to visit a friend — a prominent figure who taught the people, only to find Brother Al-Tarbouchi lying on the ground. He had been stabbed and left to die, with the knife still embedded in his body. He had also been doused with a corrosive liquid intended to make an example of him. Among the few things that survived the attack were a booklet on the blood of Jesus and another authored by you, Brother Jack, which Omar had given him.
Jesus told us: “The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy; but I have come to give you life — and life more abundant.” This man has fulfilled his mission on earth. He obeyed the call to take up his cross and follow his Master. He now rejoices in the joy of his Lord, yet the fruit of his labor endures as we proclaim the Lord to all! The 1,350 men, and the 3,500 from the mosque who have come to know Jesus Christ will now share this message with their own families and friends. Jesus said this in John 12:24-26:
24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. 26If anyone serves me, him My Father will honor.
The first step in the process of “dying” is submission to the Lord’s will. This death is not necessarily physical, though that may sometimes occur. In the case of Brother Tarbouchi, he was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. We will meet him again in the Kingdom of God.
Work continues in all areas. Brother Abdelrahem continues to urge the HOB missionaries to be diligent in their work, while carefully listening to the guidance of the Spirit of God. Please continue to pray … sincerely. Pray for the gift of winning more souls before it is too late. Pray for the meeting of essential needs. Pray for the protection of the missionaries. The war is growing wider and more ferocious. The crisis will only worsen at this stage. But God is always in control… over everything!
Your brother and servant of the Lord,
Dr. Nibras
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Once more, we see examples of how the Word of God — whether with copies of the Bible itself or with the teaching/discipleship booklets which are laced with an abundance of applicable Scripture verses, is bearing fruit. MUCH fruit, just as God promised! It is the doing of the Spirit of God, and we are given the opportunity and privilege to be a part of it! Lost souls are being reached by the multitude today. Praise God.
In closing, I could not help but think back to the passing of the founder of the House of Blessing, Pastor Rashid. For those that are not aware, he passed into eternity just three years ago, September 22, 2023. That was a sad day for so many that loved him so much, but a very happy day for him! He is doing very well! And, may very well now have met one of the latest of HOB’s martyrs, Al-Tarbouchi. This man’s death was almost exactly three years after Pastor Rashid was taken home to be with the Lord.
Pastor Rashid’s work has continued and the number of souls reached has escalated beyond anyone’s imagination in the past 20 months or so. Each HOB missionary that has paid the ultimate price has also become seed that has gone into the soil, which God has used to bring about an abundant harvest. Although those of us around the world who read these updates and pray for the House of Blessing are not on the front lines with them, we are blessed to receive the stories, are privileged to pray for HOB, and have the honor of contributing to the work they are doing. Thank you all, and may the Lord bless you abundantly!
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)