Oklahomans Lead Effort To Support Christians In Iraq

Oklahomans are leading an effort to support persecuted Christians in Iraq.

ISIS' reign of terror has Oklahomans reaching out as thousands of action packs are headed to areas like Iraq and at The Voice of the Martyrs, they've been watching the situation over there very closely,

The terror group ISIS is reminding Todd Nettleton of his visit to Iraq five years ago. Nettleton has been all over the world providing aid to persecuted Christians.

"Because of our long history of working with the Christians in Iraq, it's very personal," he said.

In just the past few weeks, The Voice of the Martyrs has donated to more than 2,000 Christians there.

Nettleton said most Christians fleeing persecution by ISIS are crammed into homes and churches in the Iraqi city of Erbil.

"They want to dominate that part of Iraq,” Nettleton said. “They want everyone to follow their brand of radical Islam and they don't want any Christians there."

Nettleton said Christians can't practice their religion under the terror group's radical control.

"The Christians in the area they've taken over have been given basically four choices: You can become a Muslim, you can leave the area, you can pay the Jesia Tax and come under Muslim domination or you can be killed," he said.

Since ISIS' invasion, The Voice of the Martyrs is working with contacts in Iraq, providing goods and money to churches overseas.

"Right now the great need is humanitarian help, we've heard from our contacts that church buildings in Erbil have 200 to 300 people eating, sleeping, living inside the church building," said Nettleton.

You can learn more about Voice of the Martyrs and help donate by visiting their web site.