By Melanie Korb
Pastor Edward from Damascus paints a sad picture of the situation in the Syrian capital.
“The situation is very grim,” he says. “There is deep sadness and much stress and anxiety.”
According to the pastor, approximately 40 percent of the members of his church have left the country since the civil war in Syria started 2 1/2 years ago.
Imagine if 4 of every 10 members of your church left in such a short period—a major loss for every congregation. That is the reality churches in Syria now face, as the example from Damascus shows. People that have financial means and contacts abroad often leave the war-torn country.
Pastor Edward knows that in his church, some members still are waiting for the opportunity to leave Syria. “They are still trying to find a place to go,” he says.
However, all the people that left didn’t leave the church services empty.
“No, we see new people coming to church,” Edward says. “Many of the families that we visit and help with a monthly food supply come to our services now.”