Mitchell Chris. - Destination Jerusalem: ISIS, Convert or Die, Christian Persecution,and Preparing for the Days Ahead

Winston Churchill said, Writing a book is an adventure. Penning Destination Jerusalem was no exception although the companions on the adventure make all the difference. Elizabeth joined me 36 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 Destination Jerusalem from afar. Now Philip and his new best friend, Caitlyn, are expecting a new generation, and new adventures. 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 adventure has just 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 I decided to hitch my wagon to 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, President Michael Little 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, Minya or Moscow 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 Chamarro, Annika Kopp, Nissim Lerner 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.

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, the alleys of Minya or at the keyboard in Jerusalem, their cries to the One who hears and answers have protected, encouraged and inspired this herald. Their prayers breathed life into Destination Jerusalem. 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 Destination Jerusalem 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. Aaron Aprile, our proofreader, completed the final read-through. Lynne Hopwood added her expert graphic design and creativity; Jared Rowe his webmasters expertise.

This tome owes its heart to those brave men and women who have endured unspeakable horrors, yet who remain faithful to their Lord Jesus. To men like Canon Andrew White, 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!

Contents

15 Minutes From ISIS

ISIS on the March

The Rise of the Caliphate

Convert or Die!

Saturday People, Sunday People

Sirens Over Jerusalem

Irans Nuclear Shadow

Spiritual Headlines In The Middle East

Know Your Enemy

PreparingAnd Preparing The Way

Destination Jerusalem

Note: Its important to mention the major difference and historical breach between Sunnis and Shiites. Sunnis make up about 85% of the Islamic world while Shiites constitute about 15%. For example, ISIS is Sunni while Iran is predominately Shiite. Often these two factions are bitter enemies and consider each other heretics. Their rift began after the death of Muhammad in 632. The Sunnis - or Ahl al-Sunna, the people of the tradition believed Muhammads successor should arise from within the Muslim community. However Shiites or the Shiat Ali, the party of Ali wanted the leadership to stay within the prophets family beginning with Ali, the son-in-law of the prophet. This division has lasted for centuries and the fracture explains a great deal of the conflict in the Middle East today.