Back on the Ground — Q1 2026 Quarterly Report

The quarter at a glance

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). Here is what God did with what was entrusted this quarter. As always, every photo below has been anonymized, and workers are named by first name or initial only, for the safety of those serving where following Jesus costs everything.

Back on the ground

The founding family made the transition back to Northern Iraq in January — and it has been a whirlwind to say the least. Upon arrival, the family set up a new home that doubles as a training center, and immediately the house was full. Believers have been coming from major cities across Iraq, and from Iran and Syria, and all across the Kurdish region. Every other evening for two weeks, the house was filled with dinner, fellowship, worship, baptisms, prayer, and the reading of God's Word. This is what it looks like when the church comes alive in one of the hardest regions on earth.

“Every other evening for two weeks, our house was filled with dinner, fellowship, worship, baptisms, prayer, and the reading of God's Word.”

Into the war zone

When war broke out in Northern Syria at the end of January, FM 4:18 didn't wait. They moved. Partnering with the Free Burma Rangers and Love for the Least, the team headed straight into the conflict zone. For three days they shared the Gospel and provided food and heat for 91 families displaced by the fighting — and mobilized brothers from Northern Iraq to pass out food to more than 200 additional families. Now, two teams of Syrian leaders are heading back in to follow up with the new believers, disciple them, and train them to establish simple house churches. The team has also started a school for children in the city of A—, where they learn English directly from the Bible — and the teacher is an evangelist planting house churches across the region.

The Gospel cannot be stopped

While the team was in Syria, 13 leaders from Iran flew abroad for training with partners there — and two Iranian house churches meeting outside the country came together, and there was a baptism. Not long after, 34 more Iranians were brought in for Gospel training and follow-up. The situation in Iran has become more difficult since the war — but the Gospel continues. One young man wrestled with his faith after the regime broke down his neighbor's door and arrested them for believing. He struggled, thinking he was weak because he didn't risk his life to help. Then they studied together what Jesus said.

“Greater love has no one than this — to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13)

Bibles & boldness

18,000 Bibles were distributed across the Kurdish region of Iran this quarter — and the cost was real. One of the main distributors was part of the first four-day training. A partner was arrested and tortured for seven days, and put his house up for collateral; upon release, the team helped him flee the country with his wife and young son. The shippers hid the remaining Bibles for five months — and they were finally distributed last month. A short-term team from Colorado helped load another 20,000 Bibles at the warehouse, which are currently on their way, and 100 more food baskets and Bibles are being distributed right now. One week after the trainings finished, the war between Israel, America, and Iran began — missiles and drones intercepted daily above their homes. God gave peace in the midst of it all. He had them there for such a time as this.

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14

From ashes to life

A young man was led to faith online by one of our believers in Turkey and fled to Iraq. He brought a young woman to the home for a Bible study. After worshipping and studying the Word with a clear Gospel presentation, she accepted Christ. Then she shared her story — and wept. Her 15-year-old daughter had been shot by the regime and died in her arms; she was charged $5,000 for the bullet and for her daughter's body. She fled to Iraq and ended up at the training home. As she wept, women surrounded her and prayed for her. She was baptized along with the young man, and now lives in the training center, discipled by other Iranian believers who fled because of the war. In other news: the team brought back a 3D printer from a training across the border, and believers are now learning to print cases for audio Bibles — 1,000 a month at $10 each, providing work for believers and putting the Word in the hands of the unreached.

Believers in the mountains

In the mountains along Iran's borders, whole communities of believers are forming in one of the most dangerous and unreached places on earth. Through these mountain believers, more than 200 people have accepted Jesus and been baptized, and deep relationships have been built that open the door for humanitarian aid. This community has known real loss — one believer was killed this quarter — and most now gather in homes. Leaders also met in a neighboring country to pray, plan, and position Bible distribution and aid for this critical season.

“Through these mountain believers, more than 200 people have accepted Jesus and been baptized — in some of the most dangerous places on earth.”

Pakistan, Afghanistan & Nepal

The family spent time in Pakistan with their beloved Afghan family — facilitating Gospel trainings with believers and training local Pakistani brothers who are taking the Gospel into the mountain regions of the northwest. And a Nepal mission was set in motion: 28 believers from churches across America preparing to bus 88 children and staff to the capital for a Vacation Bible School, with evening outreach into the slums and three days of training for 100 pastors and church-planting leaders. Humberto — a testimony of God's transforming power — joined as FM 4:18's first full-time missionary sent from the prison ministry.

Living water

God's provision has afforded FM 4:18 the opportunity to purchase a water drilling rig. It serves a dual purpose: providing jobs for believers who assist with the children's home, and drilling wells free of charge for believers living in persecuted areas. Daily Gospel trainings are happening across five states in Northern India amongst more than 8,500 churches established through local leaders.

75 more children are coming home

Board chair Mont Wilkes and his wife Emrie visited India this quarter to see the work firsthand. The boys' and girls' homes are finished! The septic system and commons building need a few more months to complete. Daily trainings are happening, churches are forming — and Siddarth, an orphanage parent with churches across the region, got married! God is building something beautiful in this place.

Stories of hope

God is moving powerfully both inside prison walls and among the nations represented on our very own streets. We recently witnessed a beautiful breakthrough when a man from Nepal, previously an atheist, heard the Gospel and surrendered his life to Christ — he is now walking in consistent discipleship with our team. Behind the bars, the Holy Spirit is equally active: during a recent visit to a prison unit, 22 men stepped forward for prayer. Among them, one man found true freedom in Christ as he released years of deep-seated hatred toward his family, choosing instead to pray for their blessing. Hearts are being transformed from stone to flesh.

Thank you — be found faithful

Because of your faithfulness, the Gospel advanced through eight nations this quarter — 18,000 Bibles, 200+ baptized, and 75 more beds being readied for children who need a home. Every number is a person whose name God knows, even where we can only print an initial. Join the Prayer Movement or give through the Mission Fund — and may we all be found faithful.