Pastor Edward Awabdeh of the Alliance Church of Damascus joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a powerful conversation on shepherding a church through war, bombings, and persecution in Syria.

Together, Edward and Fares explore the realities of pastoring in a city scarred by explosions and regime change, the mid-June bombing at Mar Elias Church, and the martyrdom of Dr. Abdelmasih that reshaped what “success” in ministry really means. Edward also shares why the church chose to stay when leaving was easier, how community outreach and home groups led to growth during the war, and what it looks like to live the resurrection in a city of fear.

If you care about the persecuted church, the cost of discipleship, and the resilience of faith in the hardest places, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠faresabraham.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how you can get involved and become a partner in this important mission. Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates from the region and powerful stories of transformation and changed lives.

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Learn more about the church in Syria and its context::

• Recent coverage of the Mar Elias Church bombing in Damascus

• Global Christian Relief: How churches in Syria are mourning

• Syria Lebanon Partnership Network: How churches worldwide are standing with Syrian believers

As a Palestinian-American originally from the West Bank, Fares Abraham speaks with firsthand experience of the suffering, displacement, and cruelty that mark daily life for many in the land of Jesus. In this message from the Church at the Crossroads conference (September 11–13, 2025, Glen Ellyn, Illinois), he challenges the global Church to consider how the credibility of the gospel in Palestine and Israel depends on its witness of peace, reconciliation, and costly discipleship. His story is not abstract theology—it is a testimony rooted in lived reality, calling Christians to embody the cross in the face of conflict.The Church at the Crossroads brought together pastors, theologians, and practitioners to wrestle with how followers of Jesus can respond faithfully to the crisis in Israel and Palestine. Rather than retreating into silence or partisan slogans, the conference pressed into repentance, reconciliation, and solidarity with all who bear the image of God.

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠faresabraham.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how you can get involved and become a partner in this important mission. Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates from the region and powerful stories of transformation and changed lives.

Follow Pastor Fares Abraham on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helpful Resources:

• Church at the Crossroads Conference (CATX)
• A Collective Call to the Global Church from Middle East Evangelical Leaders

• CATX Resources

Evangelist, author, and founder of Dare 2 Share Greg Stier joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a passionate conversation on mobilizing young people and the future of the gospel in the Arab world.

Together, Greg and Fares explore why so many teens are curious about Jesus but lack discipleship, what lessons Cairo cafés can teach us about relationship-first ministry, and why teen-to-teen gospel conversations are both untraceable and unstoppable. Greg also shares his remarkable journey from an inner-city childhood to leading a global movement that equips millions of students to share their faith.

If you care about the next generation and the rise of gospel movements across the Arab world, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠faresabraham.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how you can get involved and become a partner in this important mission. Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates from the region and powerful stories of transformation and changed lives.

Follow Pastor Fares Abraham on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠

Explore Greg Stier’s work:

• ⁠Dare 2 Share (referenced in the conversation)
• Gospelize Your Youth Ministry E-book
• The Greg Stier Podcast