Homero Aziz, evangelical pastor in Jordan: ‘One rocket hit about 1 km from home’

The military escalation that began last Saturday following attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran has triggered a new conflict in the Middle East, with consequences spreading throughout the region. Countries such as Jordan, which share borders, airspace and complex political relations with the actors involved, are currently experiencing high levels of tension.

Although Jordan is not in open warfare, the proximity of the conflict and the presence of US bases and institutions make it a sensitive territory within the crisis. Jordan is also home to Christian communities with a long history in the region, as well as thousands of refugees from Iraq and Syria.

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We contacted Homero Aziz, a Brazilian evamngelical pastor who has been living in Jordan for twelve years. Throughout his ministry, he has also been involved in church planting and social projects in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. The pastor answered questions for Spanish news website Protestante Digital, explaining how the current situation is being experienced in Jordan, how the Christian community is responding and how the global church can pray for the Middle East.

 

Question. What is the current situation there in Jordan?

Answer. Here, the atmosphere is tense but controlled. We are not in open conflict internally, but everyone feels the pressure. When something escalates between Israel and Iran, Jordan automatically becomes sensitive ground. We share borders, airspace concerns, refugee realities, and political pressure from every direction.

“Jordan has always been a place of refuge and peace, but the conflict is closer to us than ever before. Three rockets hit my neighborhood”

The sirens are blowing high all the time and unfortunately Jordan also became a target because of the American bases and institutions present here. People are watching the news constantly. There’s anxiety, especially among families who have lived through previous regional wars. In our church we have a lot of Iraqi and Syrian refugees. You can feel it in conversations — less laughter, more “what if.”

Businesses adjust hours. Churches quietly review emergency plans. No panic in the streets but definitely a collective awareness that the region can shift overnight.

Jordan has always been a place of refuge and peace, but the conflict is closer to us than ever before. Three rockets hit my neighborhood and one about 1km from my house only, we could see the place it hit from our windows. Our kids are doing fine, but some of our church members are really afraid and making escape plans in case the war turns into something different.

 

Q. How is the Christian community were you live responding?

A. The Christian community here is small but resilient. Many believers in this region have lived with instability for years, so spiritually speaking, there’s maturity.

Churches are doing a few things: Calling for focused prayer gatherings, checking on vulnerable families, encouraging believers not to spread rumours or fear, reminding people that Christ’s Kingdom is unshaken. There is also a quiet realism.

Christians here understand how quickly minorities can become vulnerable in times of regional conflict. So, there is prayer, but also practical wisdom. Faith here isn’t theoretical. It’s lived. Our church keeps doing relief for the refugee families we support and all our ministry activities are still happening even with the ongoing conflict.

 

Q. Are you in contact with believers in other countries?

A. Yes. Because of ministry connections across the Middle East — including believers in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and inside Israel itself — we are praying for one another. We have planted ourselves and helped with the plantation of churches in four countries in the region.

“When tensions rise, messages start circulating: Are you safe? Are your churches meeting? The Middle Eastern church is interconnected, when one part trembles, everyone feels it”

Last week, I was in Syria, in Sweida, preaching on a meeting with 85 Druze converts. No electricity, no water, but a thriving new church in the middle of persecution and a huge crisis that led recently the killing of almost 18 thousand people in the area. One of the church members was killed in those incidents. Unfortunately, four people died on Sunday in Sweida when an Iranian rocket hit the area. 

When tensions rise, messages start circulating: “Are you safe?” “Do you have what you need?” “Are your churches meeting?” Some communities that I relate on a regular basis are closer to military targets than others. In certain areas, believers are more exposed.

The Middle Eastern church is interconnected, when one part trembles, everyone feels it. And I’ve learned something powerful: persecution and crisis don’t destroy the church here. They purify it. So, we growing with one another in this hard time now.

 

Q. How should the global church pray?

A. Pray that this conflict does not expand regionally. Pray for protection over civilians on all sides. Pray for wisdom for leaders making decisions that affect millions. Pray for minorities — especially Christians — who can become vulnerable in unstable moments.

Pray against fear inside the church. Pray for boldness and unity among believers. Pray that we may preach the gospel boldly in the midst of such crisis. People are watching us and we want to be faithful.

“Pray that we may preach the gospel boldly in the midst of such crisis. People are watching us and we want to be faithful”

Pray not only for safety — pray for spiritual awakening. Historically, moments of shaking often precede moments of harvest. God is reaching out the whole Middle East for himself. Ask God to give dreams and visions to all people groups in our area and that we can discern who are these He is working with and then share the good news.

 

Q. How do you see the future in the region?

A. I’ve served and connected with Christian communities across different Middle Eastern contexts — Arab-majority nations, minority settings, and places where believers live very quietly because of persecution.

Living in this region teaches you to read the “temperature” of a situation quickly. But also to feel that some struggles are to be considered normality.

We don’t ignore reality. But we don’t surrender to fear either. This region has known war before. And the church is still here. I believe we will once again overcome this phase and harvest many fruits for the glory of God. He is in control and at work.