2025 06 Nexus Mission Newsletter

June 26, 2025

A Teacup in the Storm

Dear brothers and sisters, warm greetings from Hong Kong.

On the morning of June 23, 2025, we received heartbreaking news from House of Hope in Syria. A suicide bombing struck an Orthodox church in Damascus, resulting in over twenty deaths and many injuries. Coworkers at the Nexus Center in Lebanon immediately reached out to House of Hope with words of comfort and encouragement. This mutual care and solidarity have been forged over the past year through many storms. When Lebanon was under attack by Israel, House of Hope was the first to send messages of support. Truly, those who suffer know best how to comfort those who suffer.

**The Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus, Syria.**

On June 2, 2025, Nexus Team departed from Guangzhou for Iran. Sharon and I returned on June 9, while a brother remained. Just three days later, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran.

The Chinese missionary family serving with the Nexus Mission chose to remain in their home in Tehran. Their son, 25 years old Gray, left with a brother by hired car. After a three-day journey, they safely arrived in Georgia. Brother Giles and his wife fled to a rural area outside Tehran to escape the intensifying conflict. Due to war-related disruptions, communication with Iran was temporarily lost—but we thank the Lord that they are safe.

**Tehran, the capital of Iran, has a population of approximately 9.73 million as of 2025. When including the greater metropolitan area, the total population exceeds 15 million.**

**Isfahan, which was recently struck by airstrikes, is the third-largest city in Iran. An estimated population of 2,328,000 people**

In May, we also visited Bangladesh, where missionaries are facing immense pressure and challenges. Visa issues, family hardships, and children confined at home for extended periods have left wives and children physically and emotionally exhausted, deeply in need of spiritual support.

**In their dirty and chaotic surroundings, even something as simple as taking the children and family out for a walk is considered a luxury.**

Preschool through sixth-grade programs have been established among Chinese workers, offering foundational literacy classes for those who are illiterate. At the same time, discipleship training schools have been set up to help believers root themselves in faith and grow into future leaders.

Over the past year, the Nexus Mission has faced unprecedented trials and difficulties—more than at any time since its founding. I don’t know whether to call this a season of divine favor or one of many afflictions. But this I know: we cannot rely on past experience to interpret the storms before us. We can only ask the Lord to grant us strength and courage in tribulation, and to help us bear fruit in patience and faith.

Please lift in prayer the two Chinese families currently in Iran.

They are facing difficult decisions amid soaring prices for food and water, disrupted internet, and growing concerns over electricity and water shortages. Many residents are fleeing the cities. Pray that the Lord will clearly guide them—whether to stay or to leave—and grant them peace in their decision.

Also remember the churches in Syria, especially the leaders and coworkers at House of Hope.

May the peace of Christ rest upon them, and may the precious blood of Jesus cover and protect them, strengthening their faith and unity in these turbulent times.

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”2 Corinthians 1:4

Yours, Nexus Mission

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