Light Force: A Stirring Account of the Church Caught in the Middle East Crossfire

This is an account of the Christian Church in the Middle East and what these people have to endure to stay a Christian. In our Western Churches we do not have to go through these trials. But these people are willing to give their lives for their Christian faith, for Jesus. Could we, or would we do the same? Questions to ask ourselves. It is horrifying to see what goes on and yet these churches continue to grow. Persecution does provide seeds of growth. These churches are so humble and true to Jesus. What faith! What love! What endurance! God help me to do the same. This is another Brother Andrew of Open Doors Ministry that reveals the truth on what is going on in this region of the world. We need to have our eyes opened to these realities. Great book!

In a recent conference, Brother Andrew said that terrorists are not born but made. He adds that they become terrorists because no one cares for their souls. Light Force is a book that prompts its readers to be concerned about the souls of terrorists. It also wants its readers to be involved in the struggles of their brothers and sisters in the Lebanese and Palestinian churches. Light Force is a fair book that is not marked by any mindless emotionalism. Instead, it reflects a strong commitment to Christ, to supporting God's people in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, to loving both Arabs and Jews, and to evangelizing Muslims. In four parts, the book introduces a world marked by horror, violence, and death. We see this world through the eyes of Brother Andrew who travels throughout Lebanon and the Palestinian territories seeking to encourage the churches in these dangerous areas. As he travels, he meets courageous evangelical men and women who love God wholeheartedly and serve Him in the midst of very depressing circumstances. This could be the unique contribution of this book for it unpacks before its readers the stories and struggles of many faithful Lebanese and Palestinian evangelicals who are committed to following Jesus Christ. Through their lives and struggles, the reader considers the dwindling numbers of Christians in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, and the escalating influence of Muslim fundamentalists. Most of the book deals with the Palestinian Evangelical church and its context. It focuses on the contributions of Bethlehem Bible College, the Palestinian Bible Society, the Jerusalem Alliance Church, Musalaha, and the Baptist Church in Gaza. Brother Andrew meets with the leaders of these ministries. He encourages them and inspires them to be faithful in the midst of trouble. He also listens to their needs and through "Open Doors" partners with them in prayer and financially. Last, the book presents a unique Christian perspective concerning Muslim fundamentalists. On the one hand, they are not mindless, nameless, or faceless terrorists. Instead, they are hospitable friends and hurting people. On the other hand, the authors emphasize that they don't condone any terrorist actions. Their words and actions lift up Christ without demonizing or dehumanizing Muslim fundamentalists. They see that doing the former properly demands a deep and sincere love for all Muslims. Such love seeks to visit these Muslims, hear their anguish, and respectfully present the living Christ to them. By the time, the reader finishes this book, he or she will be informed, inspired, and prompted to be involved in remembering their brothers and sisters in the Middle East, in reflecting on their eschatological/theological positions in light of the Middle Eastern church, and in responding with love to Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the Middle East. Yohanna Katanacho PhD Candidate @Trinity International University

An evangelical holding to a dispensational eschatology for most of my Christian life, I "consider the source" when I hear criticism of any kind towards Israel--apple of God's eye--and I invariably consider that source "antisemitic" or "Biblically illiterate." It just isn't possible to apply either of those labels to God's Smuggler! Without attacking anyone's end-times theology, Brother Andrew opens our eyes to suffering on *both* sides of the Middle Eastern conflict. I was moved to pray when I heard the almost daily reports of suicide bombs before I read the book, but now, my prayers are more intelligent, and they are supplications *with* thanksgiving: thankyou for musalaha, thankyou for the Cross, to which Jesus Christ calls us all as brothers. A *most* important book! Oh that every church library in the world had a copy donated to it, especially since Open Doors benefits from the proceeds.

LIGHT FORCE is a wonderfully inspiring book by Brother Andrew (of God's Smuggler fame) and Al Janssen of Open Doors International, taking those interested in what God is doing in the modern Middle East on a powerful and unforgettable journey that reads like the 29th chapter of the Book of Acts. It is chock full of amazing anecdotes you will never read in the New York Times or the Washington Post. My wife and I had the privilege of having lunch with the authors in Southern California where we peppered them for more details. What struck us most was Brother Andrew's boldness and incurable confidence in a God who can open doors to reach the most unreachable. Over salads and iced tea, Andrew humbly shared story after story of how he personally shared the gospel with Yasser Arafat, with Islamic Ayatollahs, and with Palestinian terrorists exiled to Lebanon. He also told us his unforgettable experience of preaching the gospel to 400 Hamas leaders in Gaza City, which he relates on pages 182-190 of his book. "I can't change the situation you face here in Gaza," Andrew told the Hamas leaders. "I can't solve the problems you have with your enemies. But I can offer you the One who is called the Prince of Peace. You cannot have real peace without Jesus. And you cannot experience Him without forgiveness. He offers to forgive us of all our sins. But we cannot receive that forgiveness if we don't ask for it. The Bible calls this repentance and confession of sin. If you want it, then Jesus forgives. He forgave me and made me a new person. Now I'm not afraid to die because my sins are forgiven and I have everlasting life." Hearing the story, I had to confess to Brother Andrew that it had never dawned on me to pray for-much less preach the gospel-to Hamas leaders. But isn't that what Jesus tells us to do, to love our enemies? What made the story all the more remarkable was that rather than lynching Andrew for trying to convert them to Christ, the Hamas leaders invited him to speak to other Muslims. "Andrew, I believe you know that I teach at the Islamic University," said one. "To my knowledge, we have never had any lectures about Christianity. While you were talking, I was thinking that it would be helpful for our students to know about real Christianity. Would you consider coming to the university and giving a lecture about the differences between Christianity and Islam?" Even the Palestinian Christian leaders who accompanied Brother Andrew to the event were taken aback. "I think my God is too small," said the head of the Palestinian Bible Society. "I never thought that a Christian could speak to radical, fanatical fundamentalists. But even if someone did have a chance, it never occurred to me that they would actually want to sit and listen to the gospel. Today God showed me how big He is." An absolute must read for anyone interested in the future of the Middle East. (www.joelrosenberg.com)

Light Force is a stirring epic by Brother Andrew. Andrew relates moving stories of hope and faith in the persecuted Middle East. So often we can't fathom how there could be hope in the midst of such trials; however, Brother Andrew illustrates that there can be hope even amongst the hate and strife. He speaks of ministering in a Palestinian refugee camp consisting predominantly of Muslim families. I was amazed at how well they received him. They invited him into their homes and allowed him to pray for them. Brother Andrew believes that Christians should learn a important lesson from the Muslim's devotion to their god. If we were as devoted to God as many Muslims are to Allah how much more could we impact the world for Christ? Brother Andrew's book God's Smuggler informed the western Christians of what was taking place "behind the iron curtain" of the communist lands. Over ten million copies of this book have been sold over the past decades. Another book he has written is entitled For the Love Of My Brothers (Bethany House Publishers 1998) There are many fascinating stories in Light Force; however, I can't do them justice. Read this book for yourself and be encouraged!

Don't miss out on this incredibly important book. Brother Andrew is still living life to the fullest in his late 70s and has something to say that deserves a listening ear. You have only to hear the passion in his voice to understand how important the topic of his latest book is. While many of us here in the west love to spout off our political and spiritual convictions and opinions, Brother Andrew doesn't merely talk about his passions, he goes out and and lives his faith. In this book, you'll read about his fascinating conversations with Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, stories of the overlooked Church in the Middle East, and dialogue between Palestinian and Israeli believers. Even if (or especially if) you already consider yourself knowledgable about Middle Eastern affairs, this book is unspeakably invaluable to our understanding of the real-life face of the conflict over the years, as well as what it means to be part of the worldwide Church.