What's happening in Pakistan is, in turn, part of a larger global pattern. As we've said on BreakPoint, Christians around the world are often "harassed, arrested, jailed, tortured, raped, beaten, and killed." Christian "churches and homes are bombed or burned to the ground." Children are even "taken from their Christian parents lest they become too tainted with faith in Jesus."

Imagine if four of every 10 members of your church left in such a short period. That means a major loss for every congregation. That is the reality churches in Syria now face as the example from Damascus shows. People that have the financial means and the contacts abroad often leave the war-torn country.

Pastor Edward knows that in his church some members still are waiting for the opportunity to leave Syria, too. "They are still trying to find a place to go."

The fighting came as President Barack Obama's administration pressed the U.S. Congress for its authorization of a military strike against the Assad regime, while the president arrived at a G-20 summit in Russia expected to be overshadowed by Syria.

The fighting in Maaloula, a scenic village of about 3,300 perched high in the mountains, began early Wednesday when militants from Jabhat al-Nusra stormed in after a suicide bomber struck an army checkpoint guarding the entrance.

He said, 'Fortunately we were closed today (Wednesday), fearing such an attack, so none of our staff were injured. Similar incidents are taking place across the nation and to date 15 churches and 3 Christian schools have been attacked and some set on fire.'