Dr. Anne Zaki joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a rich and eye-opening conversation about the indigenous church of the Middle East and why remembering where Christianity began changes how we understand faith today.

Anne and Fares explore how the Middle East is not just a mission field but the birthplace of the Christian story, home to believers who have carried the gospel for nearly 2,000 years. Anne shares how reading Scripture through Middle Eastern eyes opens up the parables of Jesus, how unity is restored through honest conversation, and what it means to preach hope in a region marked by conflict. She also reflects on her journey as a woman called to ministry and why our “outer container” should never define or limit God’s call.

If you’re passionate about church history, cultural insight, or seeing the Middle East through a gospel lens, this episode will deepen your understanding and renew your appreciation for the living stones who continue to witness to Christ where it all began.

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠faresabraham.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how you can get involved and become a partner in this important mission. Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates from the region and powerful stories of transformation and changed lives.

Follow Pastor Fares Abraham on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helpful Links:

• “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes” by Kenneth E. Bailey
• Anne Zaki’s Message on Unity at the Fourth Lausanne Congress⁠
• The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo

Brian Heerwagen, CEO of MissionWorks, joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a thought-provoking conversation on rethinking mission and partnership in the Middle East.

Together, Brian and Fares unpack how the gospel rises above politics, why effective partnership resists bias, and how ordinary believers—not just “spiritual giants”—are called to live sent where they are. Brian also shares insights from his decades of leadership, including how mentoring the next generation, allowing room to fail, and focusing on transformation over activity can reshape the church’s mission.

If you care about unity in a divided world, the call to everyday mission, and seeing the church move from programs to people, this episode will both challenge and inspire you.

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠faresabraham.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how you can get involved and become a partner in this important mission. Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates from the region and powerful stories of transformation and changed lives.

Follow Pastor Fares Abraham on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Explore Brian Heerwagen’s work:

• MissionWorks (referenced in the conversation)
• ⁠Mission Connection Conference — Palestinian & Israeli on One Stage (referenced in the conversation)

Pastor Edward Awabdeh of the Alliance Church of Damascus joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a powerful conversation on shepherding a church through war, bombings, and persecution in Syria.

Together, Edward and Fares explore the realities of pastoring in a city scarred by explosions and regime change, the mid-June bombing at Mar Elias Church, and the martyrdom of Dr. Abdelmasih that reshaped what “success” in ministry really means. Edward also shares why the church chose to stay when leaving was easier, how community outreach and home groups led to growth during the war, and what it looks like to live the resurrection in a city of fear.

If you care about the persecuted church, the cost of discipleship, and the resilience of faith in the hardest places, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠faresabraham.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how you can get involved and become a partner in this important mission. Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive updates from the region and powerful stories of transformation and changed lives.

Follow Pastor Fares Abraham on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about the church in Syria and its context::

• Recent coverage of the Mar Elias Church bombing in Damascus

• Global Christian Relief: How churches in Syria are mourning

• Syria Lebanon Partnership Network: How churches worldwide are standing with Syrian believers