Hostile
Lebanon
Many Muslims in Lebanon have suffered greatly at the hands of other Muslims during Syria’s civil war; the resulting disillusionment with Islam has created a new openness to Christ. Because Lebanon has a significant Christian population and its government protects freedom of worship, it has become a safe haven for displaced Christians throughout the region. More than 1 million Syrian refugees have entered the country since 2012, increasing Lebanon’s population by nearly one-fourth. Despite the hardships, many churches in Lebanon have not only welcomed but also cared for Christian and Muslim Syrian refugees, who have limited resources and few rights in the country. Lebanese churches distribute Bibles and Christian literature alongside food and other necessities. Many Muslim refugees have bravely attended home Bible studies and church services to learn about Christ. Significant numbers have placed their faith in Christ, been baptized and become active in local churches. Some Christian converts from Islam are actively witnessing to Muslims.
Major Religion
59 percent of Lebanese are Muslims, evenly divided between Sunni and Shiite. 33 percent are Christians. Members of the country’s small Druze minority, a secretive monotheistic faith, sometimes persecute Christians.
Persecutor
Various Islamic extremist groups, including Hezbollah in the south and other Shiite-majority regions, actively persecute Christians. Sunni extremist cells affiliated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), al-Qaida and other groups are active near the Syrian border. Christian converts are also persecuted by their communities and families.
WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN LEBANON
Lebanon’s urban areas are open and Westernized, but Christians outside the prominent cities and especially in Muslim-majority areas face significant opposition and threat. Those born into Christian families are allowed to worship openly, but Christians face ongoing harassment from the Muslim majority, such as denial of land acquisition and increased tax rates. More severe forms of persecution occur when believers share their faith or when Muslims come to faith in Christ. Christian converts from Islam are persecuted mostly by family and the community.
Access to Bibles
Bibles are available through Bible societies, local churches and bookstores. Give Bibles
VOM Work
Because Lebanon has become a refuge for Christian converts fleeing persecution in other countries and because of persecution within Lebanon itself, VOM supports many persecuted believers in Lebanon in a variety of ways. VOM also helps meet the basic needs of Christian refugees who have been driven from their homes. We partner with local churches to provide Bibles as well as medical and education assistance. We also assist a broad network of evangelists and church planters in frontier areas and support training for Christian leaders. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Pray for Lebanon
- Pray for a Christian who lives in hiding after her Muslim husband converted and was killed.
- Pray for local churches to be effective witnesses to their Muslim neighbors.
- Members of the Druze religion make up a small percentage of the population. Pray that they will seek Christ.
- Lebanon hosts thousands of Muslim refugees from Syria and other Arab nations. Pray that many will come to know Christ.
- Lebanon has been racked with wars caused by Islamists. Pray that they will repent and turn to Christ.
