Even before the civil war began in 2014, Yemen was one of the world's poorest countries. The war has caused much suffering and set the country back even further.
The war is between the Iran-backed Houthi movement in the north and the Saudi-backed official government in the south. The struggle is, among other things, over Yemen's oil, but also over access to the sea, which both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are interested in. Not least at a time when Iran is demonstrating its power over access to the Strait of Hormuz.
But God has not forgotten Yemen
And His Holy Spirit is at work in the poor and war-torn country. In these times, God is meeting people who are coming to believe in Jesus as their Savior and can thus call God their Father.
The convert church is growing quietly. At the turn of the millennium, there were, as far as is known, fewer than ten known convert Christians, while the number is now estimated at 10,000.
However, converting to Christianity can have severe personal consequences in Yemen. Several convert Christians have suffered martyrdom, and convert Christians also risk imprisonment in the northern part of the country, which is controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthis.
Some families may be open-minded and accept that a family member has become a Christian, whereas in most families conflict will likely arise, and in some cases the family even persecutes the family member if they do not return to Islam.
Yet despite persecution, Christian converts bring hope to their fellow citizens in need, including through medical aid. Thus, Christian converts bring hope to people struggling with illness and suffering.
Thank you so much if you will pray for the budding convert church in Yemen.
