GO Partner Embarks on Relief Mission to Northern Iraq
ERBIL, IRAQ – In a critical effort to provide hope to Kurdish families displaced by recent conflict in Syria, GO InterNational partner Rezo departed for Northern Iraq in late February. Supported by a strategic relief grant from GO, Rezo is heading into the heart of the region to offer direct encouragement to house church leaders and provide vital resources to refugee communities.
The mission focuses on more than just logistics; it is a ministry of presence. Rezo will meet with families in temporary settlements, listening to their stories and reinforcing that they are not forgotten
More about GO’s Kurdish Ministry- From Tbilisi to Iraq
In Tbilisi, Georgia, there is a community of Kurdish families rebuilding their lives. Many are Yazidis who fled northern Iraq when violence swept through the Sinjar region in 2014. Thousands were killed. Thousands more were displaced. Families ran through the mountains with whatever they could carry. The trauma of those days still lingers in everyday conversations. Today, they are trying to build something steady again. Rezo understands that road because he has walked it himself. He is Kurdish. He knows the language, the humor, the unspoken rules of hospitality and honor.
He knows what it means to carry loss. And because he is one of them, doors open. Rezo’s ministry does not begin with preaching. It begins with presence. He visits homes. He listens to stories that are still hard to tell. He prays with families. He opens the Scriptures slowly, patiently, in their heart language.
The Kurds are one of the largest stateless people groups in the world, numbering roughly 35–40 million people. They primarily live across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Religiously, the vast majority identify as Muslim, with only a very small percentage identifying as Christian. Understanding the Kurdish people—their culture, faith traditions, and history—helps Christians pray more thoughtfully and engage with humility and love.
Key Facts About the Kurds
Population: Approximately 35–40 million worldwide
Primary Regions: Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria
Religion: Roughly 95–98% Muslim
Christians: Estimated less than 1%, many from Muslim backgrounds
Language: Kurdish dialects including Kurmanji and Sorani
Identity: The largest ethnic group in the world without an independent nation
As GO continues to build relationships and partnerships in Kurdish regions, these realities help inform prayer, ministry, and long-term engagement.
Please pray for the Kurdish families currently living in displacement camps in Northern Iraq. Ask for the Lord’s comfort over those who have lost homes and for Rezo as he visits to offer encouragement and the tangible love of Christ.
Dr. Curtis Elliott serves as Vice President of GO InterNational, bringing deep experience in global missions, leadership, and partnership development. With a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, Curtis has led and mobilized teams across cultures, facilitated global partnerships, and served in local ministry in the Republic of Georgia. Before joining GO, he worked with organizations including The Salvation Army, The Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Adventures in Missions. At GO, Curtis champions the global Church—equipping leaders and advancing gospel-centered collaboration around the world.
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