Tariq is a typical Syrian. He is proud to be a Muslim, and he has so much love for his country that, so far, he has refused to leave war-torn Syria.

My family and I lived in Syria for many years. During our years there, Tariq and I became very good friends. We spent much time together, and I poured my heart out to him and encouraged him with the Gospel.

When my family had to leave Syria, I continued to share with Tariq over email. We have remained friends, and I have continued to tell him about the love of Jesus.

Tariq’s heart has always been kind toward the Gospel. That said, even after all these years of sharing the truth with him and praying for him, he has not appeared to move much closer toward the Kingdom.

A few weeks ago, I found out that Tariq had been kidnapped and held for ransom by ISIS.*

Praise God, Tariq’s wife and family were able to buy his freedom, and he is now back home with his family.

In order to pay the ransom, his wife had to sell most of their possessions and they borrowed heavily from family and friends.

Now, in addition to finding themselves heavily in debt, Tariq is scared, broken, and—in his own words—“completely broken down.” The experience has left him traumatized and rattled to his very core.

We pray that God would use this time in our friend’s life to speak to him in dreams and visions—to reveal to Tariq the One who paid the ultimate ransom for his life. We pray that Tariq would find comfort in the Bible that we gave him, and that he would find the words of life that lead to his acceptance of the Son of Man, who gave His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 28:20).

*While the media tends to highlight the stories of Westerners who have been kidnapped for ransom, the reality is that hundreds of Syrians and Iraqis have been held for ransom by ISIS for some time. Threats of death and violence against locals in exchange for money remains a lucrative means for ISIS to generate cash to fund their activities.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names have been changed for security.**