Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Just as our time in Lebanon was fruitful, so was our time in Kurdistan-Iraq. The Lord continued to pour out His blessing on pastors, their wives, and ministry leaders through our "Time of Refreshing" conference, which again welcomed 50+ participants.

Across the two conferences, Christian leaders came not only from Lebanon and Kurdistan-Iraq, where we held the conferences, but also from Syria and Iran, with some traveling at personal risk for a few days of rest, teaching, and fellowship.

Each day began with worship and teaching from God's Word, followed by time to rest, pray, and talk together.

Pastor Dean taught through 2 Timothy, the last letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to Timothy, a young pastor facing hard times of his own, and it the perfect timing for these messages.

Worship teams from local churches led us in songs, many of them written by believers in the region in Arabic, Farsi (Persian), and Kurdish. It was beautiful.

These leaders serve in hard places and rarely get a break, so a few days away meant a great deal to them. Some of the best moments came during meals and conversations, as people shared their struggles openly and prayed for one another.

We work alongside the Kurdish Evangelical Church, which was formed in 1997. Its leadership is entirely Kurdish, and most of its members came to faith in Christ out of Islam. The church is strong.

They have formed this alliance to encourage one another, train their pastors and leaders, and keep their teaching biblically sound.

They are strategic, brave, and persistent in reaching their region with the Gospel.

Many of these leaders know firsthand what it means to suffer for the Gospel. Some have been imprisoned, and others have survived bombing and assassination attempts and faced other dangers.

Like Paul, who wrote that he was "bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!" (2 Timothy 2:9), they have persisted in spreading the Gospel in places where it is fiercely opposed.

They also share Paul's confidence: "I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me" (2 Timothy 1:12).

By the end of the conference, these weary servants were encouraged and strengthened, and they returned home filled with joy!

Pastor Dean and I had the joy of baptizing two Kurdish brothers! Believers here take baptism very seriously. Coming to Christ out of Islam, and choosing to follow Jesus can bring strong opposition from family, friends, and their community. Their baptism was a bold and public step of faith.

Our son, Josiah Parks, stands by the sign for the town of Mughagh in Kurdistan-Iraq. We were told that Kurds believe this is the hometown of the Magi, the wise men who traveled to see Jesus and brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Please Pray for the Church in Kurdistan-Iraq:

• Pray for the pastors, wives, and leaders who attended, that the encouragement and joy they received would last as they return to their ministries.
• Pray for protection for those who traveled from Syria and Iran at personal risk, and for their safety now that they are home.
• Pray for leaders who have faced imprisonment, bombing and assassination attempts, and other dangers, that the Lord would stand by them and strengthen them.
• Pray for believers in Iran and Kurdistan-Iraq living under the pressure and danger created by the Iranian regime.
• Pray for the Kurdish Evangelical Church and its alliance of churches as they encourage one another, train pastors and leaders, and hold to sound biblical teaching.
• Pray for the Yazidi people, especially women and children who survived ISIS, for healing, provision, and that they would come to know Jesus.
• Pray for the work of translating biblical teaching into Kurdish Sorani, and for the safe distribution of these books across Kurdistan-Iraq and Iran.
• Pray for the worship leaders and songwriters writing new songs in Arabic, Farsi, and Kurdish, that the church would keep worshiping Jesus in its heart language.
• Pray for the Lord's provision and guidance for future Time of Refreshing conferences.

Your prayers and financial support are essential to this ministry. We invite you to partner with us as we share the love of God with many who have never heard the Gospel and strengthen the Church in these regions.

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To maximize the donations that go directly to the field, we do not take a salary from FPI. Instead, we raise our family’s personal support through donations to the Parks Family Team. When you give to our personal support, your gift frees us to focus fully on the ministry while meeting our financial obligations. Thank you for making it possible for us to serve.

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Thank You and God Bless You!

Grace & Peace

Mike and Sheri