Through Impact Middle East (IME) small communities of faith are thriving in multiple creative ministries from registered churches to refugee camp community centers. These ministries are growing in regions long marked by persecution and conflict. Kurdish refugees from Syria, displaced Yazidi families, Arab Christians and Muslim-background believers are discovering hope in Christ and sharing it with others.

Understanding the Context of Iraq

General Country Info

Iraq, often called the “Cradle of Civilization,” lies between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers—the ancient Mesopotamia where writing, agriculture, and early cities first emerged. Its land carries the weight of millennia: Assyria, Babylon, and Persia all left their mark here. The ancient cities of Ur (where Abraham was called), Babylon (home to Nebuchadnezzar’s empire), and Nineveh (where Jonah preached repentance) remind the world that Iraq once stood at the center of both human progress and divine revelation. Today, after decades of war, Iraq remains a complex mosaic of ethnic and religious communities—Kurds, Arabs, Yazidis, Assyrians, and others—struggling toward peace while carrying a legacy as deep as civilization itself.

Spiritual Context

In the midst of hardship, God is stirring hearts across Iraq. Stories like Hanada’s, who found forgiveness through a dream of Jesus, or Sanan’s, a Kurdish believer whose faith survived violent opposition, testify to the courage and transformation happening underground. Even in places like Sinjar, once devastated by ISIS, families are gathering to worship and give generously from their poverty—mirroring the faith of the early church. Digital evangelism, discipleship groups, and compassionate outreach continue to bring light into some of the world’s hardest soil, showing that God’s Spirit is alive and at work among the peoples of Iraq.

Biblical Heritage

Few nations rival Iraq’s biblical significance. This is the land of Eden, Ur of the Chaldeans, Babylon, and Nineveh—the backdrop of Genesis, the Prophets, and the Exile. Here, Abraham received God’s call; Daniel stood faithful in Babylon; and Jonah’s reluctant mission to Nineveh became a story of mercy. The ruins of Babylon, still visible today, echo with the pride of kings and the judgment of God, while the plains of Shinar and Chaldea recall both humanity’s rebellion and redemption. Early Christian communities once thrived in places like Alqosh, Mosul, and Najaf, home to ancient monasteries such as Rabban Hormizd and Mar Behnam. These sacred sites—alongside countless archaeological remnants—bear witness to Iraq’s role as both the beginning of human story and a stage for God’s unfolding plan. Today, as modern believers gather in secret homes or ruins of old churches, Iraq’s biblical heritage continues to live—rooted in deep faith, endurance, and divine promise.

Learn More about Iraq