Middle East
Where Church History Began
| Main Language | Arabic, Various |
| Largest Religion | Islam (>95%) |
| Population | >480 million |
| Evangelical % | <0.5% |
Country Description
Situated between Africa, Asia, and Europe, the Middle East has been a crossroads for traders, travelers, and empire builders since the beginning of time. It is rich in history and is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. To this day, religion plays a large part in daily life. This is evident through common phrases and expressions. You don’t go a day without hearing “Ilhamdullilah” (Praise be to God) or “Insha’allah” (If God Wills). However, to many, these phrases and other religious practices no longer hold the same meaning they once did.
Besides its long history of new developments and advancements, the Middle East also has a long history of conflict and tension. Today, the tension between tradition and modernity is evident throughout the region. Traditional Islamic values are clashing with more modern, Western thoughts, which are widespread, especially in younger generations. Now is a unique moment in history, as Arabs question their traditional ways and are exposed to new information – including Christianity. The Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of Muslims in the Middle East like never before. We are eager to partner with him in this work.
Ministry Overview
World Team continues to create and implement new approaches to love and serve Muslims in the Middle East. While starting spiritual conversations can be easy, getting into deeper topics takes time and trust. Our Muslim friends need to know that we care about them and are committed to the relationship before we can expect to see what is truly in their hearts. Through consistent connections, transparent sharing of our beliefs, and much prayer, we are expecting that the Lord will call many to Himself in this region.
As locals turn to Christ, discipleship in doctrine and spiritual gifts is crucial. We want to see believers who are equipped to defend their beliefs and serve the church as we see in scripture. Gathering can be a challenge, especially for those new to the faith and not from a Christian background. With that in mind, we aim to see culturally appropriate gatherings of believers, spiritual growth, encouragement, living out of the biblical commands, and a new sense of family for those who are stepping away from the traditions and families they were born into. In a culture where family is so crucial, we want to see the family of Christ deepen and welcome others in.
Team Emphasis
Our Middle East team arrived in the region in 2024. Since their arrival, they have focused on language and culture learning while developing relationships with locals, which we pray will lead to churches being planted. The team is looking to meet felt needs and find strategic connection points to continue building new and deeper relationships. Our team sees a clear need for more workers in this region and is praying the Lord will grow their team so they can expand to multiple locations as the Lord leads. There is opportunity for business and marketplace work in this region, which both open unique doors.
Ideal workers love God, love Arabs, and are willing to persevere in relationships and life here. The team hopes to see workers from many professional backgrounds, various ages and family situations, and with many spiritual gifts serving together to engage with the local community. In a culture where family is the most important thing, they want to represent the family of God in their relationships with one another and with local believers. Life can be ambiguous in this region, so flexibility and grace for yourself and others are a must!
God is Working
God is working in the Middle East! Muslims are choosing Jesus as their Lord and Savior in numbers like never before. Where doors were previously closed, we see a fresh openness to the gospel.
Hospitality is deeply woven into the culture of the Middle East and literally opens doors for meaningful spiritual conversations. By both receiving and extending hospitality in their homes, our workers are able to build deeper relationships and create safe spaces for discussing faith. As our team enjoys the delicious food, warm welcomes, and easy spiritual dialogue, we are praying that these connections with families and their networks will lead to whole families choosing Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
Prayer Focus
- Pray for Arabs to see Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to see the gift of salvation as worthy of any risk or cost.
- Pray for more teammates so that relationships, spiritual conversations, and teams can multiply in the region.
- Pray for the rest and peace found only in Jesus to penetrate the system of works and tension.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” -2 Timothy 2:2