SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) – Computer training is not the first thing you think of when talking about Iraq.

Computer training is not the first thing you think of when talking about Iraq.But despite all the turmoil and destruction in the country, young people in Iraq still have the desire to work on their future and the future of their nation.

Open Doors encourages Iraqis by offering several courses, including computer classes, and by distributing literature through two centers in Iraq.

Both centers distribute literature, including Bibles, books and magazines, and organize courses in computers, music and English.

The centers are located in dangerous cities; car bombs have exploded close to both centers. But Open Doors’ co-workers continue with their ministry, and young people, often students, are coming to the centers.

The students are eager to learn. Though many want to leave the country, many are waiting to rebuild the country.

Let’s pray for the young generation in Iraq, especially the Christians, that they would be willing to stay, learn and improve their skills to help rebuild their country. Pray for Open Doors’ centers, which are involved in this process.

Learning About Christianity And Culture

“Christianity in a World in Pain” and “The Relationship of Believers with their Society and Community.”

These are just two titles of lectures Open Doors’ centers in Iraq are organizing to train and educate Christians in Iraq.

Open Doors runs “cultural” centers in two cities in Iraq. They are known as cultural centers because they cannot operate as churches. Each center has a bookshop, a library, an internet cafe and a place for computer and English courses. And both organize Christian activities, either outside or inside the center.

These activities are not Bible studies or clear church activities, but are para-church meetings and events. The centers may hold conferences or seminars in a monastery or in a conference center somewhere outside the cities, for example, to show a movie (like the Jesus film) or to discuss Christian cultural topics.

Sometimes there are lectures at the center. These lectures are Christian culturally related. The lectures are given by a priest or a pastor. Between 35 to 50 people attend to listen and to discuss the topics. The lectures concerning dialogue between the main religions in Iraq and the understanding of the religions generate the most interest.

“We give thanks to our Lord for allowing Open Doors to facilitate skill-building classes, distribute Christian literature and offer classes on religion at centers inside Iraq,” says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. “It is dangerous work. But that is why Open Doors is there – to support and strengthen suffering Christians who remain. With the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church just around the corner (November 12), please keep the marginalized Christian minority high on your prayer list.”

An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors, celebrating 50 years of service to persecuted Christians, serves and strengthens the Persecuted Church in the world’s most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (524-2535) or go to our USA Web site at www.opendoorsusa.org. To request a complimentary six-month subscription to our monthly newsletter Frontline Faith, call 888-5-BIBLE-5 or register on-line.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).