Smuggled Bibles in the Middle East are Changing Lives

The two men were risking it all, crossing borders to sneak illegal materials across hostile regions in the Middle East. They knew they could be fined, thrown in prison, even tortured—or worse. Yet, despite the dangers they took on, they didn’t even believe the words in the books they were smuggling.

One day, as they stopped to rest, the men grew curious about the books they carried. As they flipped through copies of the New Testament, their curiosity only grew. They approached the man who coordinated the smuggling operation, and he told them about the Gospel.

Soon, these men decided to become followers of Jesus and were baptized. The words they had been risking their lives for ended up changing their lives forever.

Already, GCR’s partners have distributed 5,000 copies of the New Testament through this one project. But many in the region are still waiting to receive smuggled Bibles in the Middle East in their own language.

That’s why our partners are planning to print and distribute 11,500 copies of the New Testament and nearly 10,000 SD Cards containing Bible resources.

Altogether,  our partners plan to distribute through this project more than 21,000 Bible resources to Middle Eastern believers and seekers in their native language—who can, in turn, share the Word with those around them.

We hope to strengthen and grow the persecuted church. We know that God is moving even in the most dangerous places in the world. We ask for your support and your prayers, especially for the church leaders who put their lives at risk as they plan the distribution of illegal Bibles. Pray for your brothers and sisters in the Middle East, for wisdom and perseverance for all involved in the smuggling of Bibles, and for those who have not yet found Jesus.