Many have given up hope and resigned to the realities of hatred, division, oppression and war as the overarching narratives of this troubled region of the world. Are hostility, violence and bloodshed the only future for the millions of souls who call the Middle East their home? Are fear, terror and intimidation the only story? A Hebrew prophet, named Isaiah, sees a vision of the Middle East that i
s quite different than the popular views of the region today. He does not ignore the challenges, but he looks far past the current chaos to a day where unity and reconciliation are the realities that will one day release a blessing in the midst of the earth. In chapter 19:23-25 of the book bearing his name, Isaiah declares:
“In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, ”Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
Building this highway of hope and investing in a regional work of reconciliation is what drives us. Through prayer initiatives, worship gatherings, training programs and a variety of relief efforts, Highway 19 Ministries is serving this vision along with many others in the region who are also committed to building up this highway of hope in the Middle East.
