Growing Underground Church Brings Hope in Syria
Growing Underground Church Brings Hope in Syria
Syria (MNN) As Syria faces one of its hardest seasons in recent history, a surprising movement of faith is emerging beneath the surface. The United Nations warns that the country’s humanitarian needs remain overwhelming, with more than 16 million Syrians requiring assistance and countless families still displaced.
The nation continues to reel from violent clashes triggered earlier this year. Fighting between government forces and supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad left more than 1,400 people dead and forced over 180,000 to flee their homes. After opposition forces seized Damascus on December 8, 2024, Assad’s departure ended more than five decades of his family’s rule and left a political vacuum behind.
Amid the turmoil, church leaders say Syria’s visible Christian presence is rapidly shrinking. Many believers have left the country in hopes of safety and stability. According to one Catholic bishop, the traditional Church is “dying,” as persecution, economic collapse, and unrest push Christians to seek refuge elsewhere.
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Mike*, a leader with Global Catalytic Ministries (GCM), describes the situation as devastating. “What Syrian believers have endured is beyond difficult,” he says. “Reports estimate that nearly half a million Christians have been killed in recent years. Earlier this year, we saw brutal executions and extremist groups moving in after Assad fled.”
Catholic records show that Syria had around 2.1 million Christians in 2011. By last year, that number had fallen to roughly 540,000. Yet, while the visible Church declines, Mike says an unexpected revival is happening quietly: a growing number of Syrians from Muslim backgrounds are turning to Christ.
“The Spirit of God is moving,” he shares. “People are encountering Him in powerful ways.”
GCM recently began new work inside Damascus. Their team conducted what may be the first baptism in a town where, according to local accounts, every known Christian had previously been killed. The baptism of a Druze woman marks a rare and significant breakthrough.
Alongside evangelism, GCM aims to equip believers to survive and disciple others in dangerous environments. “We train them to engage extremist groups wisely, without revealing their faith,” Mike explains. “We are not an extraction ministry. Our goal is to help believers remain where God has placed them.”
The ministry is active across much of the Middle East, and Mike says opportunities for gospel movement are growing even in regions like Gaza and conflict-scarred Syria.
He asks for prayer for resources and protection as GCM strengthens underground believers across the region. “Jesus called us to every nation, tribe, and tongue,” he says. “So we will go wherever He opens the door.”
Content Credit: Moyosola Oni
Image Credit: Google .Com
