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.
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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.
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Learn more about the church in Syria and its context::
As a Palestinian-American originally from the West Bank, Fares Abraham speaks with firsthand experience of the suffering, displacement, and cruelty that mark daily life for many in the land of Jesus. In this message from the Church at the Crossroads conference (September 11–13, 2025, Glen Ellyn, Illinois), he challenges the global Church to consider how the credibility of the gospel in Palestine and Israel depends on its witness of peace, reconciliation, and costly discipleship. His story is not abstract theology—it is a testimony rooted in lived reality, calling Christians to embody the cross in the face of conflict.The Church at the Crossroads brought together pastors, theologians, and practitioners to wrestle with how followers of Jesus can respond faithfully to the crisis in Israel and Palestine. Rather than retreating into silence or partisan slogans, the conference pressed into repentance, reconciliation, and solidarity with all who bear the image of God.
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Evangelist, author, and founder of Dare 2 Share Greg Stier joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a passionate conversation on mobilizing young people and the future of the gospel in the Arab world.
Together, Greg and Fares explore why so many teens are curious about Jesus but lack discipleship, what lessons Cairo cafés can teach us about relationship-first ministry, and why teen-to-teen gospel conversations are both untraceable and unstoppable. Greg also shares his remarkable journey from an inner-city childhood to leading a global movement that equips millions of students to share their faith.
If you care about the next generation and the rise of gospel movements across the Arab world, this episode will challenge and inspire you.
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Palestinian evangelical journalist and award-winning media figure Daoud Kuttab joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a powerful conversation on journalism, truth-telling, and the pursuit of peace in the Holy Land.
Together, they explore Daoud’s remarkable journey from growing up under occupation in a pastor's home in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah, to becoming one of the Arab world's boldest evangelical voices. Daoud opens up about his experiences in Israeli and Palestinian prisons, the misunderstood narratives surrounding Palestine, and his passion for mentoring young Christian journalists in the Middle East.
If you're passionate about justice, peacemaking, and how Christians can faithfully engage with conflict and culture, this episode is essential listening!
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Can the gospel truly thrive in a region marked by conflict, complexity, and misunderstanding?
In this powerful episode, New York Times bestselling author and historian Stephen Mansfield joins The Fares Abraham Podcast to share why the Middle East is not just a place of crisis — but a land dear to God’s heart, full of spiritual hunger and gospel potential.
Fares and Stephen unpack the untold story of the Kurds, the growth of the Church in places like Iran, and how Christians in the West can move past false dichotomies to love both Israel and the Arab world. They explore how the Great Commission isn’t about exporting culture, but about empowering every nation to thrive in Christ.
If you're passionate about mission, unity, and God’s redemptive work in the hardest places — this episode is for you.
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Violent extremism is one of the greatest threats in our world today—but is it also one of the greatest gospel opportunities?In this thought-provoking episode, Middle East advisor and theologian Scott Gustafson joins The Fares Abraham Podcast to share real-life stories of former ISIS and Al-Qaeda members who encountered something they never expected from Christians: kindness.Scott and Fares explore how radical love, forgiveness, and community can do what bullets and policies can’t—transform hearts. From modern-day “Pauls” emerging from war zones to the powerful role of dreams and visions, this conversation challenges how we think about mission, discipleship, and the people we often see as unreachable.If you care about reaching the unreached and seeing transformation where it seems impossible, don’t miss this episode!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.
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Mentioned Books/Links
Scott Gustafson’s writings – scottgustafson.substack.com
Christian Men’s Network president Paul Louis Cole joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a powerful conversation on why the crisis of manhood is one of the most urgent—and overlooked—challenges facing the Church today.
Together, Paul and Fares explore how toxic masculinity, fatherlessness, and spiritual apathy are breaking families and weakening churches across the globe, especially in the Middle East. But through intentional discipleship and Christ-centered manhood, hope is rising.
From stories of radical forgiveness to the transformation of former extremists in Cairo, this episode shows why discipling men isn’t just ministry—it’s a gospel strategy for healing homes, restoring nations, and reaching the next generation.
If you care about spiritual leadership, biblical manhood, and the future of the Church, don’t miss this conversation!
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Mentioned Books/Links
Maximized Manhood by Edwin Louis Cole
Christian Men's Network – cmn.men
Global church leader Steve Murrell, founder of Every Nation Churches & Ministries, joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a powerful conversation on how student discipleship and campus ministry are transforming lives — from the U.S. to the Middle East.
Together, they unpack why equipping students is one of the most strategic ways to reach the next generation and how international students are becoming unexpected catalysts for gospel movements in places like Egypt and Jordan.
If you're passionate about missions, leadership, and seeing the Church respond faithfully to conflict and culture, this episode is a must-listen!
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Mentioned Books/Links
WikiChurch by Steve Murrell
Every Nation Churches & Ministries – everynation.org
New Testament scholar Dr. Gary M. Burge, author of Whose Land? Whose Promise?, joins The Fares Abraham Podcast for a conversation that will deepen your understanding of Scripture and challenge you to see Israel and Palestine through a truly biblical lens.
Together, they unpack why understanding Jesus' Middle Eastern context is essential for grasping the gospel and how biblical land theology speaks into modern political narratives.
If you’re looking for a fresh, gospel-centered perspective on Israel, Palestine, and God’s redemptive plan for all the people of the Holy Land, this episode is a must-listen!
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Mentioned Books/Links
Whose Land? Whose Promise? by Gary Burge
Jesus and the Land by Gary Burge
The Land by Walter Brueggemann
"Together for the Middle East" Statement: togetherme.org