Chris Mitchell - ISIS, Iran and Israel : what you need to know about the current Mideast crisis and the coming Mideast war

Winston Churchill said, Writing a book is an adventure. Penning ISIS, Iran and Israel was no exception although the companions on the adventure make all the difference. My wife Elizabeth joined me 37 years ago and, as Winnie the Pooh said, As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen. Here we are nearly four decades into our friendship, and its still true that a good friend listens to your adventures; a best friend makes them with you. Heres to this adventure thats in the book and the new ones around the corner. Thanks for being my best friend and letting me go around the corner.

Speaking of around the corner, our young tribe is now around the world, launched out on their own adventures. Philip, Kathleen and Grace inspired ISIS, Iran and Israel from afar. Now Philip and his best friend, Caitlyn, have birthed a new generation and are launching out on their own new adventures with their fellow traveler Simone. My fellow travelers in the Mitchell clanKevin, Brian and Nancy (Clarke) and Jeannecontinue to encourage this sojourner scribe on his way home. We all remember Rick, whose new Heavenly adventure has already begun.

My adventure with CBN began more than a quarter of a century ago. Its vision to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth was a star to which I hitched my wagon all those years ago. More than a half a century into fulfilling its mandate to prepare the way of the Lord, Founder Pat Robertson, CEO Gordon Robertson and so many others are engaged in a labor of love and devotion to the One who birthed this Heavenly vision. Their faithfulness allows this reporter to step onto the front lines and find a front-row seat to His story. Behind CBNs worldwide team is an army of partners whose steadfast support and prayers make forays into Kurdistan and other destinations possible. Thank you!

Fellow companions on these expeditions are an extraordinary CBN News team from Virginia Beach to Washington DC, led by Rob Allman. Here, in the city of the Great King, a fabulous bureauJulie Stahl, Tzippe Barrow, Yehuda Chamorro, Annika Kopp, Nissim Lerner, Colette Cheramie and Lesly Bertellexperience the awe of telling the stories of this age from the epicenter. Jonathan Goff, our intrepid cameraman, shared many of these adventures. His pluck, good humor, resourcefulness and Godliness got us through many predicaments and yielded outstanding results. On the field in Kurdistan, Pastor Majeed proved an invaluable resource, companion, friend and brother to his two sidekicks from the Holy Land. From Americas heartland, John Waage added his invaluable Middle East expertise to our coverage.

Throughout the process, unsung, unseen and unheralded intercessors have held up my hands and heart through their steadfast prayers and intercession. Whether in the streets of Kirkuk, on the front lines of ISIS or at my computer in Jerusalem, their cries to the One who hears and answers have protected, encouraged and inspired this herald. Their prayers breathed life into ISIS, Iran and Israel . I benefit from those prayers whether whispered in the secret place or shouted amongst the Body. We all share in the fruit. This side of Heaven, their full story may never be told, yet He knows.

On the earth: the practical work of publishing lay on the capable, experienced shoulders of Mel Cohen, our publishing consultant from Inspired Authors Press. Hes been the penultimate maestro, orchestrating all the various elements to bring ISIS, Iran and Israel to fruition. Anne Severances copy editing guardrails kept this author from veering off the straight and narrow road of good grammar and proper punctuation. More importantly, her prayers and belief in this message and its power to bless inspired this scribe throughout the editing. Lynne Hopwood added her expert graphic design and creativity.

This tome owes its heart to those brave men and women throughout the Middle East who have endured unspeakable horrors, yet who remain faithful to their Lord Jesus. They are the heroes of our age, who stand in the face of terror and yet lift up their eyes to see their Redemption drawing nigh.

Finally, to the three most important Persons in my life: my Father, under whose wings I find shelter, who sets my times and seasons and whose Kingdom I long to see; to Jesus, who found me when I was lost and now steers me through the shoals of life and to the Holy Spirit, whose still, small voice comforts and guides. Their love is my beacon, guiding this homesick soul home. Maranatha!