Linwood & Nancy Berry Newsletter: July 2026
July 2026
Dear Ministry Partners,
We are grateful for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support as we continue serving in the Mediterranean Region. Your partnership helps us share the hope of Christ, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen ministry efforts among communities where there are many opportunities for Gospel witness. In this season, we are especially thankful for the open doors God is providing through local relationships, ministry conversations, and opportunities to encourage believers and leaders across the region. We continue to ask the Lord for wisdom, protection, and fruitfulness as we serve in a culturally diverse and spiritually significant part of the world.
MINISTRY UPDATE: North Africa
In April, I (Linwood) was traveling with a pastor in one of the North African countries of the region. We visited 4 house churches in a single 16-hour Sunday, driving more than 300 miles. The spiritual environment there is hostile to the practice of Biblical Christianity. Legal protections for Christians, such as the right to assemble and worship publicly, do not exist. Despite the dangers of police action, the Church is growing. The pastor explained to me, “Lin, we must never accept the position that we are criminals because we worship Jesus. We are not criminals, we are Christians.” In every meeting, the presence of God was very strong.
Just a month earlier, I had a similarly powerful experience in another part of northern Africa, where we ordained our first IPHC pastor in that country. She leads one of the 27 houses of prayer we partner with. The same week, we opened Project CReA in a nearby city. Project CReA is an arts-based cultural center, similar to the coffee house model used by the IPHC.
HOUSES OF REFUGE, HOUSES OF PRAYER & HOUSE CHURCHES
One of the disciples we work with, a young woman, came under pressure to marry an older man, a non-believer or she would be exiled from her family and cast out of the family home. We were able to provide her with a “house of refuge”, where she could live and be safe. This became the 27th house of prayer in the network. Three of these houses of prayer have now grown into house churches in this nation. I have not specified the names of our friends or the cities and nations where we work in North Africa for security reasons. There are many challenges, even dangers, surrounding this ministry. Even so, we are especially encouraged by the growing connections being made across communities where spiritual conversations are taking place and where people are searching for truth, peace, and lasting hope. Please continue praying that these connections will become fruitful ministry relationships and that the Lord will guide each step forward.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
We invite you to continue partnering with us through prayer, encouragement, and financial support as the Lord leads. Every gift and every prayer strengthens the work and reminds us that we are not serving alone. Thank you for standing with us. We are deeply grateful for your friendship and partnership in the gospel.
With gratitude,
Linwood & Nancy Berry
