From Lebanon, with love …
Recently, in a room in Lebanon, something quietly powerful took place.
Our dear friend Emad and his team gathered and trained young indigenous leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa—leaders who carry both a deep love for Jesus and a heavy burden for the people they serve. Because of your generosity, ZEELO was able to send support in December to help make this training possible, giving Emad the freedom to use those funds where they were most needed.
The leaders in the room came from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Algeria. Many of them serve among refugee populations—men, women, and children who have fled conflict, instability, and loss. Together, these leaders were equipped to use sports ministry as a relational bridge for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. It was a simple idea with profound impact: meeting people where they are, building trust, and introducing them to the hope of the Gospel through meaningful relationships.
As Emad shared stories and led sessions, familiar faces stood out. A few of these leaders were people I had met in person on past trips with him to Egypt and South Sudan. Seeing them—still serving, still pressing forward, still investing in others—reminded us why long-term relationships matter so deeply in global Great Commission ministry. This is slow, faithful work, and it is bearing fruit.
Lord willing, I hope to travel with Emad again in the near future. Today, he and I met via Zoom and reminisced about previous adventures together in Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Today, we talked about what it might look like go to Lebanon together, and perhaps Iraq. We long to see friends we see mostly via Zoom, and encourage their work in person standing alongside their leaders God is raising up in these places.
All of this took place against a complex backdrop. During the days of the training, Israeli forces carried out multiple airstrikes targeting Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, including drone and artillery attacks. While these incidents occurred at least an hour away from where the leaders were meeting, they served as a sobering reminder of the realities these men and women live within. And yet, even in the midst of uncertainty, the work continued—quietly, faithfully, and with courage.
Thank you for your vital partnership in making moments like this possible. Your generosity is not abstract; it shapes lives, strengthens leaders, and helps ZEELO encourage those who carry the Gospel into difficult places. You are investing in brave men and women serving on the frontlines of ministry, often unseen, but deeply used by God.
As you continue to pray, we invite you to lift up Emad. Pray for wisdom, protection, and endurance. Pray that God would use what was shared during this training to draw refugees and communities to Himself. Pray that churches would be planted, disciples made, and hope multiplied far beyond the walls of that room.
We are grateful to walk this road with you.