EPC TOPIC: Persecution – the Worldwide War on Christians
JOHN SAMARA is founder of Ananias House with the purpose of building God’s Kingdom in Syria and the Arab world by empowering local churches. Ananias House started in Damascus on the street called Straight—the same one mentioned in the book of Acts where God sent Ananias to find Saul. Its mission is to see the gospel preached and disciples developed across the Middle East, beginning with the local church in Syria. John grew up in Syria hearing the Muslim call to prayer broadcast five times a day from minarets across this country of 24 million people, but was raised in a Christian home. He was burdened for his fellow Syrians to know the true Lord in heaven.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a master’s degree from the University of Manchester (UK). He was successfully pursuing an engineering career when God asked him to redirect his energies into building up local churches in the land of his birth. Ananias House was founded in the U.S. to support the expanding ministry in the Middle East.
Ananias House ministry equips believers to build the Church across the Arab world, beginning in Syria. John focuses on training and strengthening local believers—people who know their culture, speak the language fluently, need no visa to live there, and understand how to minister in ways not possible for those from the West. The core of his ministry is providing systematic Bible training for church leaders. This training is currently delivered in portable modules offered at sites inside Syria and in surrounding countries. A Bible school/seminary is a long-term vision.
He lives with his wife Miryam in Houston, Texas.