The news: Nehad Hasan, pastor of a Kurdish church in Lebanon, traveled to Syria this summer for a family visit to Afrin, a Kurdish-majority region in northwest Syria. He was arrested by authorities, stirring deep fear among Kurdish Christians still navigating the uncertain post-Assad political landscape. His case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of minority Christian communities in the region.
Why it matters for church leaders: India's Christian minority communities — particularly in states where religious tension runs high — will find this story painfully familiar. When pastors become targets simply for who they are and where they go, the entire local church bears the weight. This is also a reminder to pray specifically and regularly for persecuted church leaders across Asia and the Middle East.
The takeaway: Set aside five minutes in your next Sunday service to pray by name for pastors facing arrest or persecution around the world.
Source: Christianity Today
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