~ Filmmaker Brandt Andersen Returns from Syria: Points to Global Christian Persecution ~
With headlines still reeling from the June 22 suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which killed at least 22 worshippers and wounded dozens, the vulnerability of Christians in Syria has again captured global attention. AP News+1
That’s exactly where Brandt Andersen just returned from. As a filmmaker, producer, and humanitarian, he has witnessed firsthand how extremist groups exploit the power vacuum in post-Assad Syria to target minority believers.
His upcoming film I Was a Stranger (opening January 9, 2026) is rooted in these real-world tensions—where faith, displacement, and identity collide. Andersen has spent years in refugee camps across Syria, Jordan, and beyond, shining a light on stories the world too often ignores.
Click HERE for official trailer.
Relevant Facts:
- The Syrian government collapsed in December 2024, ushering in an era of instability and sectarian violence. USCIRF+2Vatican News+2
- In July 2025, Christian homes and churches in Sweida were attacked and burned amid a renewed wave of sectarian violence. National Catholic Reporter+1
- Globally, persecution is accelerating: In the 2025 World Watch List, more than 380 million Christians face high levels of discrimination or violence. OSV News -+1
- In the U.S., Congress recently introduced a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority countries—including Syria. ADF International
