NYC pastor spends own money to buy weapons for Christian militia fighting ISIS in Iraq
Pastor William Devlin supplied a Christian militia with weapons to aid them in their fight against the IS (Islamic State). The pastor of the Infinity Bible Church in Bronx has spent about $4,000 from his own pockets to supply the group with AK-47 assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and grenades.
The militia that received the weapons, the Nineveh Plain Protection Unit (NPU), is mostly composed of Assyrian Christians. The group seeks to reclaim the Nineveh plains from the control of ISIS.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Devlin revealed that he had met with NPU's leader, Gen. Benham Aboosh, last April and learned that the NPU was in short supply of weapons.
The NPU has received training but not arms from the U.S. army. Devlin offered to buy equipment for the group after learning that many have already inquired on how they could help but never followed through.
"I was not going to go away from the general without helping him in some practical, demonstrable way because I felt embarrassed that all these other people have asked how they can help him [and did not give the help he needed]," Devlin said.
Devlin shared two photos on Facebook last week showing the items he purchased for the NPU. He said he delayed posting the pictures because he is unsure of the U.S. government's response to his actions.
"It's not that I'm provoking anything but I want to be fully transparent with my investors, with my government. I don't want to have them hear from somebody else, 'Hey, you know that Pastor William Devlin is purchasing weapons for the Christians to protect themselves?'" Devlin explained to The Christian Post.
Devlin stated that he is scheduled to meet with U.S. State Department officials sometime next month.
Aside from providing militia with weapons, Devlin also visits refugee camps to aid displaced Christians and Yazidis. He returned to Iraq last August to help refugees in Erbil and Dohuk.
Last week, the NPU announced that they have liberated Badanah, a village southeast of Mosul. The group shared photos and a video on Facebook of its fighters entering the village.
