An international Christian radio ministry says that it will go beyond just broadcasting encouraging messages to believers in Arab nations.
Trans World Radio, which has broadcasted Christian messages since 1952, says it has initiated Beyond Limits, a successor to TWR’s Project Endure ministry in the Middle East in a May newsletter.
TWR’s 2004 Project Endure ministry had meant to give encouragement to Arab believers bearing the brunt of persecution by their neighbors.
Oscar Norton, TWR’s Arabic ministry director, said that TWR will work closely with local churches to offer more practical training for existing Arab Christians to "reach out to their own people, and standing with them in every way possible."
The previous ministry had previously worked with local churches, but only to offer messages of hope and comfort, says the TWR May newsletter.
Persecution of Christians especially in Arab countries have long been reported not just by Christian persecution monitors, but also by human rights advocacy groups such as the internationally-renowned Human Rights Watch.
In April, Egyptian Coptic Christians brought the plight of Egypt’s Christians to international attention during a protest at the U.S. capitol of Washington D.C. The arrests – and sometimes killing of Christians – in Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations have often remained unnoticed by mainstream news sources.
As stipulated in Sharia, or Islamic law, family members are encouraged and even obligated to perform "honor killings" of any relatives whom have converted from Islam to Christianity.
"When a person in this region accepts Christ, it means going against their culture. For some, a decision to become a Christian is signing their death sentence. This is beyond limits," Norton said.
The new initiative, started last month by TWR-Europe, will eventually cover 22 countries in predominantly Arab regions.
Norton says that he hopes believers in Arab nations will continue to grow in faith despite the adverse persecution they often face.
"We must be ready to make every sacrifice to help our fellow believers who go through hardships because of their faith," said Norton. "This is what the initiative Beyond Limits is all about."
