“On June 10, the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS) entered Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. Before 2003, Mosul was home to 35,000 Christians and one of the five Presbyterian churches in the country. The Nineveh Province, in which Mosul is found, includes the largest concentration of Christians (many in small villages), churches and monasteries (some dating back to the fourth century).

Soon, many of the remaining 3,000 Christians made their way to Erbil and Kirkuk, perhaps anticipating what would be the devastating pronouncement by ISIS on July 19: convert to Islam, pay an unspecified tax or be killed. In the weeks leading up to that announcement, the homes and businesses of Christians were marked with the Arabic letter “n” for “Nazarene,” the designation for Christians in the Quran. The mass exodus of Christians, religious minorities and moderate Muslims from Mosul was heavily monitored by ISIS, and no one was permitted to leave with any possessions or money. By the end of the month, ISIS had complete control of the city, and the Assyrian News Service published a list of 45 churches or religious sites destroyed or taken over by ISIS. On that list was the historic Presbyterian Church, one of the oldest Protestant churches in the Middle East.

On July 26, the pastor of the Kirkuk Presbyterian Church appealed to partners like The Outreach Foundation for help as the internally displaced made their way along the 100 mile road from Mosul to Kirkuk.  Their main efforts now are focused on 12 Christian families who are living at the Kirkuk Presbyterian church, spread out through their classrooms, offices and fellowship center. They are also assisting another 50 families at other churches in Kirkuk.” 

Original Source: The Outreach Foundation

Through the generosity of FPC members, your Disaster Response Committee chose to respond to this humanitarian crisis by sending $15,000 to be administered by, and dispersed through, The Outreach Foundation in support of the relief work of its in-country partner, the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Iraq.  Upon receipt of that gift, the following note arrived at FPC:

 September 11, 2014

Dear friends at First,

I arrived home from Israel and Palestine late last night and was greeted in the office this morning with news of First’s generous gift in support of our Presbyterian partners in Iraq who are reaching out to care for their displaced neighbors, both Christian and Muslim. Thank you for strengthening their hands! The Kirkuk church has 12 families living in their building and are caring for another fifty families being hosted by other congregations.

We received the sad news from Pastor Farouk in Baghdad that a member of his church was killed by  a car bomb yesterday.

Amidst the violence and loss, Presbyterians are showing and sharing Jesus’ love. These are our brothers and sisters, and they are dear friends. Thank you for praying for them, encouraging them and helping them to be salt and light to the glory of God.

Grace and peace,
Rob Weingartner
Executive Director

We ask you to lift up prayer those Iraqi Christians and all others around the world experiencing persecution for their beliefs in our God.

Plan to join us this fall on Saturdays or Sundays from September 20 – October 12 as we build another Habitat for Humanity home in southeast Davidson County.

Our partner family, George Awad and Manal Hakeim, are originally from Egypt.  George has lived in America since 1995 while his wife and children only since 2011.

The family currently lives in an old one‐bedroom apartment. They struggle with mice and cockroaches, “and we need more space,” George says. “I want a Habitat home because it’s affordable and because I trust Habitat.

Both George and Manal have attended Habitat’s HomeWORKS classes to learn about home ownership and have enjoyed the opportunity to build relationships with future neighbors who were also in the class. “We will all help each other and keep each other safe,” George said about his future neighborhood. “Thank you so much to everyone for helping us to buy our own home.”

Registration for build and food volunteers begins in August.

Congrats to the Vorhaus Family for winning 3rd place in the “Other” flavor category for their C3 entry: Coffee ~ Caramel ~ Coffee Bean

See you all next summer!

Our church still has volunteer openings to serve as an overnight host at Safe Haven Family Shelter.  This facility is the only shelter in Nashville allowing homeless families to remain together during overnight lodging and on their road to stable, permanent housing in the community.

Check out the schedule of openings below and contact Mary Earthman at  [email protected] to sign up for an open date.

Serve as overnight host

• Monday, August 4
• Monday, October 6

We invite you come alongside these families for just one night. Individuals or couples are welcome to serve as hosts; all Overnight Host volunteers will need to attend an orientation session unless they have served recently at the newly remodeled facility (1234 3^rd Av S).

Tickets available at the church beginning on May 11.  Look for the marked table in Courtenay Hall on Sundays or purchase at the church Welcome Desk on weekdays.