Dangerous Places
01 Dangerous Places
2025
As I write this letter, Vicky and I are in Ukraine with a group of Calvary pastors training Ukrainian chaplains and their wives. This month, I will share with you how Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) moves from battle zone to battle zone to give you a glimpse of the spiritual and physical war operations believers are involved in on a daily basis.
Ukraine Operations:
First, we have been asked to train the chaplains in the country of Moldova, consisting of about 100 chaplains, and we will take on this task.
Next, in Ukraine, over 70,000 men are missing in action, and they say only one percent are probably alive. When a soldier is missing in action, his wife and family get no compensation, which adds to their pain and feeling of abandonment, and this is excruciating for them. For the wives whose husbands have been killed, they get $370,000 to cover lost wages for ten years. Listening to the Ukrainian chaplains talk about ministry, it is apparent they are already doing a great work for the Kingdom.
Many of the wives, whom the chaplains minister to, have lost the love of their lives. One woman spoke of how her life was completely destroyed, and every nerve in her body is still raw from her husband’s death. Another says she texts her husband every day, but the texts never go through, and she pays to keep his phone on, hoping he will answer one day. Neither woman knows how she will move forward, but through the chaplains’ tender care,
they now have hope that, in time, God will heal their hearts.
Syrian Operations:
As of the 3rd of May, Syrian operations are moving rapidly. We have 21 Christians, 21 Alawites, and 2 Druze being rescued, plus another 180 Syrians that we are in the process of moving to safe locations. To protect these people from being intercepted by radical Islamists, I cannot share much due to security measures, but death and murder are everywhere. For those who are Muslim, the fact that Christians are rescuing them and showing love is opening many hearts and minds to Christianity.
Nigeria Operations:
On Christmas Eve in 2023, in typical African villages in Plateau State, Nigeria, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends had arrived from towns and cities near and far away. As preparations were in top gear for the Christmas celebration, out of nowhere came the shout of Allah hu Akbar (God is great). Next, the sounds of AK-47s and other automatic weapons of war suddenly cut short the celebration of joy in the middle of the night.
The attacks on these villages continued throughout the night until dawn. There was no intervention by soldiers or security, so the terrorists had their field day raping, maiming, and killing as they wished. In barely 48 hours, over 200 had been killed in a cluster of villages by radical Islamic militias.
In one of the villages, following the shouts of Allah hu Akbar, about 16 close relatives, including men, women, and children, were either hacked down by doubleedged swords or gunned down by AK-47s. Following the sudden massacre, their homes were destroyed and some set on fire. All the relatives were killed except for one survivor–a little girl whose mother managed to hide her just behind a window blind. Her name is Nanpa. Nanpa’s father, mother, and four siblings were gruesomely murdered. Miraculously, she did not make a single noise as her father, mother, and siblings were slaughtered by these very wicked and evil terrorists. The following day, after the terrorists had wreaked their havoc, Nanpa was rescued. When she was picked up, she was soaked from her feet to her shoulders in the blood of her parents and siblings that had flowed to where she was hiding.
Nanpa’s story touched many hearts and made many cry. When a head pastor (whom we are supporting to train former Muslims to be followers of Jesus) and his wife visited the IDP camp where Nanpa was, they knew that they had to take her with them. Later, Nanpa was adopted by the pastor and his wife. When they thought the chapter of having more children was closed, God brought them this little girl. When she was first brought into their home, she would awaken every night in terror, but through love, she has become a happy little girl again.
Far Reaching Ministries has been involved in supporting over 100 former Muslims who have converted to Christianity. Most of them had witnessed Christians be tortured and killed for the name of Christ when they refused to deny their faith. The former Muslims had seen the evil of Islam and murder and wanted nothing to do with it. They also witnessed the love and forgiveness Christians had. After leaving Islam, they were inspired to not only follow Christ but also to be trained to become missionaries. All they asked for was training and $50 a month so they could eat while sharing their faith. What is even more remarkable was that they wanted to go back to their people, knowing that they could very well suffer torture and death. Some missionaries spoke of an incident that changed everything for them.
One of the Muslim militants, who had been the biggest killer of Christians, had come to Christ. He knew returning to his people would mean death, but he had counted the cost. An extremist told the new Christian that if he did not return to Islam, he would be tortured and skinned alive. But he told the extremist that he would not deny the One who died for him. The new Christian suffered a long, horrible night of torture, but he never wavered. The Muslims who watched said no man could have endured if God had not been with him. This act of torture backfired when over 100 of them converted to Christ after watching this brother sacrifice himself so others might know the Lord. And they have chosen to be willing to suffer the same fate.
South Sudan Operations:
We have lost two more men in South Sudan. One was Samson Ohiede, who was a great brother in the Lord. He had been sent to South Africa to train as a pilot for transport planes and as a fighter pilot. I had known him for at least 20 years, since he was a young man. He was flying passengers into Darfur from the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the United States. As his plane was coming in for landing, a fighter jet came in and bombed the runway, killing everyone aboard. Though it is a terrible loss, we know we will see him again. For us, as believers, it is not goodbye, but till we see you again. May the angels of heaven and all our chaplains, who have gone ahead, welcome Samson into heaven.
but Chaplains bring life.
Samson, our brother, who is with the Lord.
Carbon Emissions Reduction
The project reduces carbon emissions by over 15,000 metric tons annually, equivalent to planting more than 700,000 trees each year.
In the early days of ministry, I was introduced to a soldier named James Mute who had a fierce reputation and whose father had been a pastor. One night when James was about nine years old, as his father was teaching at his church, radical Muslims entered the church and shot him in the pulpit, then killed his mother and siblings. James was the only one they did not kill. He grew up with such hate in his heart that he became a real killer himself.
James became a tank commander, and in one battle, he and another tank attacked a hill against five enemy tanks. When his tank climbed the hill, he saw the first enemy tank coming toward him, and he fired and destroyed it. Then, an enemy tank fired at him and missed. Then, James’ fellow tank driver went up the hill, sighted another enemy tank, fired, and destroyed it. By this time, James had sighted another tank, and he fired and destroyed it. The two remaining enemy tank crews abandoned their tanks and fled. James got out of his tank and found an enemy soldier pretending to be dead. James told him that he was a coward and beat him to death.
When I met James, I was told he was fearless and would never retreat. In the early days of the ministry, Vicky would walk long distances to teach Bible studies, and it was not safe with rebels roaming in the bush. So, I hired James because I knew he would fight to the death before letting Vicky be hurt. But James began to listen to Vicky teaching the ladies, and God was working on his heart. Six months later, he came to Vicky and said, “Vicky, I have had so much hate because the Muslims killed my family. But I have listened to you teach God’s Word, and it has changed my heart. What you share with the women is life, and I want that life. Would you show me how to find God and ask him to forgive me? I want to follow the God of my Father.” So, Vicky prayed with James to receive Christ, and for over 20 years, he followed the Lord. Sadly, he died of cancer on the 7th of May, but I know he is with the Lord, and I will see him again.
While in Ukraine, I traveled to Odesa, near the Black Sea, and on the way, we stopped at a remote gas station, and five or six puppies with their mother ran to see us. They were so excited for someone to play with them. So, I went into the gas station and purchased about 10 bags of beef jerky, and we fed the puppies and their mother. No one owned the dogs; they were just strays. If I were in the U.S., I would have brought them all home. But unfortunately, in countries at war, very few of these dogs will ever find a home. It troubled me having to leave them, so I have been praying that the Lord will send someone who will care for them. I know it seems so small with everything else, but I believe in prayer, so I am praying they will be cared for.
I know it seems so small with everything else, but I believe in prayer, so I am praying they will be cared for.
The staff at FRM is extremely busy with so many to care for that we ask you to please keep us in prayer. We are moving from war zone to war zone trying to save, from death, as many as can be saved. Please pray for Luke because he has to travel to many places that no one should travel. However, good contacts and accurate intelligence are critical to ensure the safety of those being rescued. Out of necessity, his life has to be put in harm’s way.
Wes Bentley
Far Reaching Ministries
Syria Rescue
Syria is facing an immediate humanitarian crisis with the rise of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) into government power. HTS is a radical Islamic military faction progressing out of al-Qa’ida. Designated as a Terrorist Organization by the U.S., HTS has initiated a violent and widespread campaign against Christians, as well as ethnic cleansing. There are numerous ongoing reports of door-to-door attacks, widespread rape, and mass executions.
Sunni extremists are engaging in systematic ethnic cleansing, violence, and atrocities such as sexual assault and killings. Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) is urgently working to address the targeted killings of Christians, as well as violence against women, children, and the elderly.
FRM has launched an Emergency Response Mission requiring $1.5 million to $2.5 million for rescue operations, safe housing, and the critical support needed. If you can help with this critical need, please mark “Syria Rescue” on the enclosed gift card, along with your donation.
Calvary Bible School
Syria is facing an immediate humanitarian crisis with the rise of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) into govern Far Reaching Ministries is in the process of building a new school that will house 200 students.
We have started construction, and the school should be ready to open in 2026. It will cost between $250,000 and $350,000 to complete. If this school were built in the US, it would cost millions of dollars. We need believers to come alongside and help us raise the first $200,000. The school will provide a two-year program and turn out between 100 to 200 pastors and missionaries every two years. We are working with Calvary Bible Institute to train men who have a heart to serve.
To be part of this vital project, please mark “Calvary Bible School” on the enclosed gift card, along with your donation.
Ukraine Home For The Elderly
Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) was introduced to Pastor Fedor from Odesa, Ukraine. Pastor Fedor has a ministry that helps the elderlyand poor who have no place to live. Currently, they live in a crowded room on the second floor of Pastor Fedor’s home. There is just enough room to walk around the beds and no place for them to sit.
Many of the elderly cannot walk, so once a week, they are carried down from the second story to bathe and then sit in the sun for a while.
Pastor Fedor’s dream is to build a home for the elderly and poor so that they can have a better quality of life. So, we at FRM would like to help Pastor Fedor fulfill his dream. We will need $400,000 to begin construction of a home that will house 200 elderly people.
If you would like to help with this urgent need, please mark “Home for Ukraine Elderly” along with your donation on the enclosed gift card.