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Journey of Hope

Journey of Hope

By: Heart for Lebanon
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About this listen

 Journey of Hope is a podcast giving you insights into the ministry of Heart for Lebanon. Through conversations with field and regional experts, you will gain a new perspective on what is taking place and what’s possible as we “Make Disciples”. The stories you hear will move beyond theoretical and make the ministry practical as we show you the impact God is making in Lebanon and the Middle East.Copyright Heart for Lebanon Christianity Economics Management Management & Leadership Spirituality
Episodes
  • Who Is Your Enemy? A Christian Testimony of Jesus’ Love and Forgiveness with Bishop Dr. Yasser Eric

    Who Is Your Enemy? A Christian Testimony of Jesus’ Love and Forgiveness with Bishop Dr. Yasser Eric
    Jan 31 2026
    Episode SummaryIn this deeply moving episode of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine launches a new mini-series with a powerful conversation titled “Who Is Your Enemy?” Joined by Dr. Yasser Eric, a bishop within the Global Anglican Church and a former radical Sunni Muslim, the episode explores the biblical meaning of enemies and Christ’s radical call to love them.Dr. Yasser Eric shares his extraordinary testimony of growing up in Sudan within a fanatical Muslim environment marked by generational hatred toward Christians and others deemed “different.” As a teenager, he was immersed in extremist ideology that glorified violence and dehumanized perceived enemies. This indoctrination culminated in a brutal attack on a Christian classmate named Zakaria, whom Dr. Yasser Eric nearly killed—believing at the time he was serving God.Everything changed when Dr. Yasser Eric encountered Jesus through the compassion and prayers of Christians he once hated. While visiting a hospital, he witnessed two believers praying with love and authority over a dying child—an experience that revealed to him a God of mercy, intimacy, and grace. That moment marked the beginning of his transformation, leading him to faith in Christ at the age of 19, estrangement from his family, imprisonment, and eventually a calling to ministry.The episode reaches a profound climax when Dr. Yasser Eric recounts a later encounter with Zakaria—the very man he had attacked—who reveals that he had been praying for him all those years. This moment powerfully illustrates Jesus’ command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” showing that transformation is only possible through Christ’s love, not human strength.This episode challenges listeners to confront cycles of hatred, reject violence, and embrace the reconciling power of prayer and forgiveness. It sets the tone for the mini-series by reminding us that the true enemy is not flesh and blood—and that loving our enemies is one of the clearest reflections of Jesus in us.Show Notes: Biblically, enemies are not merely people who annoy or oppose usScripture teaches that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6)Hatred is often inherited, taught, and normalized across generationsThe Danger of Religious ExtremismReligion without Christ can fuel violence and dehumanizationFaith can become dangerous when it is disconnected from love and truthViolence always produces more violence—never peaceThe Power of Prayer and CompassionTwo Christians praying for a dying child changed Dr. Yasser Eric’s life foreverCompassion revealed a God who is personal, loving, and nearPrayer became the instrument God used to transform an enemy into a discipleLoving Your Enemy: A Gospel CommandJesus’ command to love enemies is impossible without HimForgiveness and love are not human achievements but divine workZakaria’s prayers broke a generational cycle of hatredA Life Transformed by ChristFrom persecutor to pastorFrom hatred to reconciliationFrom enemy to brother in ChristDr. Yasser Eric now leads a global movement of Muslim-background believers spanning over 80 countries, bearing witness to the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.📧 Email us: podcast@heartforlebanon.org🙏 Submit prayer requests: prayer@heartforlebanon.org🔗 Join our prayer list: https://heartforlebanon.org/prayer📬 Join our email list: https://heartforlebanon.org/emailsignupFollow Heart For Lebanon🌍 Website: https://heartforlebanon.org📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartforlebanon📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartforLebanon🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/HeartForLebanon#JourneyOfHope #HeartForLebanon #ChristianPodcast #LoveYourEnemies #Faith #Discipleship #Forgiveness #Missions
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    21 mins
  • Christmas Special: Episodes that Moved You the Most in 2025

    Christmas Special: Episodes that Moved You the Most in 2025
    Dec 27 2025
    In this special Christmas edition of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine invites listeners to pause, reflect, and celebrate the faithfulness of God throughout the year. As we close out 2025 and celebrate the birth of Christ, this episode looks back on the most impactful moments from the Journey of Hope podcast—stories that resonated deeply with listeners and reminded us that true hope is found in Christ alone.

    Together, we revisit highlights from the most-listened-to episodes of the year, featuring voices and testimonies from the field that reveal God’s work through Heart for Lebanon. These are not just moments from a podcast—they are glimpses of lives transformed, dignity restored, and faith strengthened through the gospel.

    Throughout the episode, you’ll hear reflections and conversations including:

    · A powerful discussion with May-Lee on Heart for Lebanon’s vulnerable girls and young women initiatuve—restoring dignity, honor, and identity in Christ

    · A conversation with Pastor Jeff on how experiencing Lebanon firsthand reshapes our understanding of missions through mission trips to Lebanon

    · A moving segment with Pastor Bashir, exploring the biblical significance of Mount Hermon.

    As the episode draws to a close, Elio offers a heartfelt word of gratitude to listeners, prayer partners, and supporters who walk this journey alongside Heart for Lebanon.
    This year-end reflection is a reminder that the work of ministry is never done alone—and that prayer is not secondary to the mission; it is the mission.

    As you listen this Christmas season, may you be reminded that you are loved, not alone, and part of a greater Kingdom—one marked by hope, redemption, and the light of Christ.

    From all of us at Heart for Lebanon and the Hope Evangelical Church, we wish you a Merry Christmas. May your homes be filled with warmth, your hearts with peace, and your lives with the ultimate hope—hope in Christ.

    Join our email list to stay up-to-date on how God is moving in Lebanon:
    https://heartforlebanon.org/emailsignup/

    FOLLOW Heart For Lebanon:
    Website: https://heartforlebanon.org
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartforlebanon
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartforLebanon
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeartForLebanon
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    20 mins
  • Stories of Hope and Transformation and a Time of Prayer

    Stories of Hope and Transformation and a Time of Prayer
    Dec 13 2025
    In this special year-end episode of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine invites listeners into a recent Heart for Lebanon Prayer Call—a time of reflection, intercession, and bearing witness to God’s work on the ground in Lebanon.

    As the year comes to a close and we celebrate the birth of Christ, this episode centers on the power of prayer and the real lives behind the ministry. With Heart for Lebanon’s team, we share firsthand stories of struggle, resilience, healing, and hope—each one representing a life being touched by the gospel.

    Throughout the episode, you will hear stories from the field, including:
    • Bayan, a young girl discovering her worth in God
    • Salma and Fadia, a mother and daughter walking through illness, responsibility, and faith
    • Hiba, a young woman carrying the weight of her family while finding refuge in Christ
    • Taim, a boy born with a disability whose hope is anchored in education and healing
    • Dalal, a woman experiencing freedom, care, and renewed dignity through Christ
    • Mustafa, a believer who chose to follow Jesus despite persecution and rejection
    After each story, members of our team and prayer partners lift these individuals before the Lord, creating space for communal prayer, reflection, and dependence on God. This episode also offers a glimpse into the broader impact of Heart for Lebanon’s ministry—reminding us that behind every statistic is a name, and behind every name is a soul deeply loved by God.

    As you listen, we invite you to pause, pray, and remember that prayer is not secondary to the work—it is the work. May this episode encourage you to intercede boldly, give thanks faithfully, and continue walking alongside those moving from despair to hope in Christ.

    A Word from Elio:
    Thank you to our listeners, prayer partners, and supporters. Your prayers and faithfulness make these stories possible. We invite you to share this episode with your church, friends, or anyone who desires to see how God is moving through prayer and discipleship in Lebanon. Merry Christmas, and thank you for being part of the Journey of Hope.

    Join our email list to stay up-to-date on how God is moving in Lebanon:
    https://heartforlebanon.org/emailsignup/

    FOLLOW Heart For Lebanon:
    Website: https://heartforlebanon.org
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartforlebanon
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartforLebanon
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeartForLebanon

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    32 mins
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