The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have always been crossroads of history – lands of ancient civilisations and the birthplace of the gospel itself. While the region is celebrated for its fascinating and rich heritage, it has also been marked by centuries of unrest. Today, according to IOM UN Immigration, more than 40 million people across MENA have been displaced by conflict and war. Religious freedom continues to shrink in many countries, while poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity fuel desperation and instability. From refugee camps in Jordan to underground churches in Iran, uncertainty has become a daily reality for millions.

And yet God is moving powerfully – often through ordinary men and women who have chosen to serve in these spaces. In different ways – online and through face to face engagements, people are turning to Christ and a generation of young people disillusioned with religion are becoming increasingly hungry for truth. Mergon ministry partners like Arab Women Today (AWT), Heart4Iran, and Triumphant Mercy witness this daily, as they serve at the heart of some of the world’s most difficult contexts.

Below, we’ll explore four pressing realities shaping ministry in the region, and how these ministries are faithfully serving into these contexts – where change is often slow, measured in small victories and long-term commitment.

From crisis to community

Conflict remains a defining feature of life in the Middle East, and Lebanon reflects this reality with stark clarity. The country is navigating one of the world’s worst economic crises, with inflation soaring above 200% in recent years, chronic power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, and over 80% of the population now living below the poverty line. Political paralysis and the ripple effects of wars across its borders have only deepened instability, leaving families struggling to meet their most basic needs.

In the midst of this, Triumphant Mercy (TM) has found its calling. TM is committed to serving the people of Lebanon with compassion and hope – providing critical aid, education, vocational training, and holistic spiritual and psychosocial support.

As part of their holistic response to Lebanon’s crisis, Triumphant Mercy launched a podcast to walk with people carrying deep trauma. Through honest conversations and real-life stories, it provides a safe space for listeners to acknowledge their grief and discover how the gospel offers hope and healing – especially for those who feel too overwhelmed or isolated to seek help in person.

In response to the refugee crisis, they have welcomed hundreds of Syrian children into schools in the Beqaa Valley, offering not only education but safe refuge. Beyond the classroom, they invest in vocational training and small business education, equipping families to pursue financial independence. Their work is not one of quick interventions, but of faithful presence: offering hope and dignity and an invitation to find hope and belonging. 

A rising underground church

The reality of Iran is sobering: conversion from Islam is forbidden, churches are heavily monitored, and believers face arrest, imprisonment, torture, or even execution. Yet, the underground church continues to grow at a remarkable rate. Estimates suggest there are between 300,000 and one million Christians in Iran, most worshipping in secret house churches.

Says Dr. Mike Ansari, president of Heart4Iran, ‘Despite the persecution, the underground church in Iran is thriving.’

Heart4Iran supports this movement with a strategic network of initiatives: Mohabat TV broadcasts the good news into millions of homes; a dedicated 24-7 call centre connects trained trauma agents to tens of thousands of Iranians every year; and digital outreach team meets seekers where they are, from social media to encrypted messaging platforms. Together with house church networks, they are discipling new believers and training leaders who carry the gospel deeper into one of the world’s most closed nations.

Why this quiet yet prolific growth of churches? Dr. Mike says it can be attributed to several factors: ‘Firstly, the underground church in Iran provides community – a sense of belonging and support to believers who might otherwise feel alone. Secondly, they use social media, satellite TV, and other online platforms to connect and share the good news of Jesus where Christianity is otherwise banned. And lastly, they are committed to discipleship and training new leaders. Christian leaders in Iran face significant risks, and there is a shortage of trained pastors and teachers. The underground church has taken on the responsibility of training new leaders and helping them to grow in their faith.’

Heart4Iran recognises that Iranian underground church leadership is predominantly led by women, many of whom have left Islam and embraced Christ. For this reason, they hold development gatherings for these emerging believers – encouraging and equipping them to serve both in church and broader society. Through podcasts and digital resources, they’re helping women to hear the good news and respond in ways that bring healing, growth and participation in their community.

Uplifting women – the bedrock of society

In Jordan, where Christians make up less than 1.5% of the population, unemployment hovers around 30% and youth unemployment nearing 40%. For many young people, the pull to leave for more stable and prosperous nations is strong and understandable. Yet the implications of this are significant for the future of the church in Jordan and beyond.

‘We tell young people, “You were born here, for such a time as this,”’ says Ruba Rihani, founder of Arab Women Today (AWT). ‘We pray for creative ways to empower them to stay, to invest in their country, and to see themselves as part of God’s plan for this region. The future of the church here is at stake.’

For Ruba, women are central to this vision. ‘Women are one of the most powerful ways to shape a generation and a country,’ she says. ‘When a woman encounters Christ and is equipped, she changes her home, her community, and the story of her nation.’

This conviction has guided AWT since its founding in 1999. ‘We had a clear sense that God was calling us to be a voice for the voiceless,’ Ruba recalls. What started as a radio programme has grown into a multi-media ministry reaching women across the Arab world. Today, AWT leverages social media, online campaigns, and on-air programming to share a message of peace and restoration, while also running in-person teaching and mentoring programmes. Last year alone, AWT reached 24.6 million people, including 14 million women, with a significant presence in Gaza.

‘Our passion is to see women rooted in their identity, confident and equipped to live a full life,’ says Ruba.

And they are not alone in this work. AWT represents one of several ministries deeply rooted in the region, committed to investing in its people, equipping believers, and raising a new generation who will live out their faith in some of the world’s hardest places.

The Middle East and North Africa is a land of both hope and hardship – where stories of courage and faith rise alongside stories of struggle. In a region where many hesitate, ministries like these are stepping into the uncertainty. As resource partners, we have the privilege to strengthen their impact – through practical support and prayer. By walking alongside them, our partnership can make a tangible long term difference. The coming years will show how these efforts shape not just the region, but the wider landscape of global missions.