As the world began to see the degree of savagery unleashed on Yazidis in Iraq a year ago, few could imagine what part it would play in hundreds of people putting their faith in Christ. Many Yazidis fled to Erbil and Dohuk, enabling Christian ministries aiding refugees in those areas to reach this people group that previously had been inaccessible.

One Yazidi religious leader was suspicious of a ministry that provided aid to Yazidis along with the message of salvation through faith in Christ, the Iraqi director of the organization said. “He didn't like us helping people or entering their homes to evangelize, and he reported us to the local security police to stop our operations in the area he lives in. We were asked by the local police to stop, and we did.”

'When he asked us to pray for him, the Lord healed him.'

Soon after, the Yazidi leader fell ill. His fellow Yazidis told him that many of them who had gotten sick had been healed after Christians came to pray for them. “He asked for us to pray for him, and we did, and the Lord healed him the same week, after he thought he was dying,” the director said. “The last time we were there, he was standing surrounded by all his followers and telling everyone about how Jesus healed him, and after I gave a speech to the group and did an invitation to Christ, we counted 136 people who surrendered their lives to Christ.”

With assistance from Christian Aid Mission, this indigenous ministry began visiting sick refugees with a large van equipped as a mobile medical clinic. Three volunteer doctors, five volunteer nurses, five church members, one psychologist and one dentist have served 2,500 refugees - about 50 to 80 per day.


A mobile medical clinic in Iraq

One refugee from the Yazidi community was on the verge of death due to lack of medicine for his diabetes, the ministry director said. The mobile medical van personnel found him just in time. “We provided insulin for him, which made his condition completely stable, and after we presented Christ to him, he expressed great interest and accepted the Lord Jesus.” The Yazidi's wife, daughters and their husbands also put their faith in Christ. “It was not that easy, because he had to face the big challenges of the family and the Yazidi clergy, but this person expressed his faith and was bold about it,” he added.

'We can only blame the Holy Spirit for Yazidis turning to Christ'

Other Yazidi leaders have objected to the evangelization efforts, calling it an exploitation of aid for desperate refugees. Christian Aid Mission's Middle East director said the Yazidi leaders' complaints overreach. “Christian ministries in Iraq exploit Yazidis in the same way that firemen exploit people in burning buildings. If we want to place blame for Yazidis turning to Christ, I think we can blame the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit is giving them an interest - the Yazidis are asking for New Testaments and the gospel. These are not being forced on them.”

The names in this report have been withheld for security reasons.

Source: Christian Aid Mission

Copyright © 2015 Stichting Joel Ministries The book of Acts is still happening today! Joel News International offers a weekly high-quality selection of the most inspiring stories on the advance of God's Kingdom in six continents. This e-zine inspires thousands of active Christians in over 120 nations. Sign up for Joel News at www.joelnews.org .