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What's harder than being a missionary to Iraq?

Posted: May 07, 2010 by Jonty Rhodes

Samuel Zwemer was one of the first missionaries to the Islamic world. He went from the USA to Bahrein towards the end of the nineteenth century and laboured for years in the Arabic peninsula, largely from his mission base in Basra. He and his handful of colleagues suffered immensely during their nearly 40 year work: Zwemer saw one of his colleagues poisoned by hostile Muslims, two of his children die from insanitary conditions, and was expelled from various countries for evangelising. In all that time it is estimated he saw perhaps a handful of converts. Now known as ‘The Apostle to Islam‘ Zwemer is a shining example of those who are prepared to count suffering as nothing, compared to knowing Christ and making him known.

Yet Zwemer himself didn’t think of his missionary work as the hardest task. What could be harder than going to Iraq, especially before modern transport, communication and medical advances? Perhaps giving sacrificially and accepting a low standard of living whilst remaining at home? No:

“It is far easier to give of our substance to the missionary cause, or to go in person, than it is to truly pray for the kingdom.“

As we look to plant Christ Church this October, the hardest work is to be done on our knees.