As one of his last acts before his defeat in 2003, Saddam Hussein released thousands of notorious criminals from prisons throughout Iraq. Entire communities continue to live in fear. Democracy is the goal, but anarchy is the current reality.

Kidnapping has reached epidemic proportions. Law officers in Baghdad are of little help to families attempting to negotiate with abductors. They estimate that the city experiences 15,000 kidnappings per year. Those are just the ones that are reported.

Iraqi insurgents, attempting to purge their soil of foreign occupation forces, are believed to be using the ransom money from kidnappings to fund their activities. The late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s Iraqi terrorist organization made it their goal to kill all those involved in drafting Iraq’s new constitution.

Christians are especially targeted, as terrorists assume they support the U.S. military in Iraq. Numbers in church attendance throughout the country have dropped because of the fear of attacks and kidnappings.

"The situation in Iraq is so dangerous, for there are kidnappers, terrorists, criminals and roadside bombs everywhere," a native ministry leader reported. "People are so tired and scared." Three car bombs were detonated only feet from his church building, killing 40 people and injuring 35.

Many Iraqis, fearing for their lives, have fled the country. Large groups of Iraqi refugees are now living primarily in Iran, Jordan and Turkey. A substantial number of Christians are included in the emigration population.

Many Arab ministry leaders—discouraged, strapped for funds and often fearing for their lives—have immigrated to Western countries. A considerable number of underground Christians are losing their network of believers and the support that a ministry leader offers.