Growing God’s Word: Christians In The Middle East
Bethlehem Bible College (BBC)
From the heart of the city where Jesus was born comes a testimony of hope and transformation. At Bethlehem Bible College (BBC), students are not only receiving a theological education — they are being formed into leaders who live out the teachings of Jesus in one of the world’s most challenging contexts. BBC asked us to share the following – one of many powerful testimonies of formation and transformation:
Jumana Salfiti, a recent graduate, reflects on her four years at the college:
“It was not just an academic experience but a personal transformation that shaped my character, deepened my faith, and helped me better understand myself and those around me. I came to the college seeking change from the Lord, and today I leave spiritually and intellectually renewed, carrying a desire to share what I have learned with as many people as possible in my community.”
Jumana’s words capture the heart of the College’s mission. This is more than classrooms and lectures — it is about equipping disciples of Jesus to serve faithfully in a land longing for peace. Jumana is just one example of what God is doing through Bethlehem Bible College. Students come seeking knowledge, and yet they leave with something far deeper: faith that is resilient, hope that endures, and the courage to serve their communities with compassion and conviction.
Bible Society In The Gulf
From the Holy Land, we move south to the Arabian Peninsula — a region of attractiveness and wonder. Amid deserts and skyscrapers, God is at work through God’s people. One remarkable witness to this work is the Bible Society in the Gulf, the only Christian publishing organization serving the Gulf States. In a region where between 4 – 5 million Christians live and worship, the Bible Society carries a vital mission: to place God’s Word into the hands of believers. They make scripture accessible in more than 60 languages and create programs that help congregations not only read the Bible but also live it out. Their Bible engagement seminars and workshops are transformative, especially for migrant workers — men and women who labor long hours for little pay. These gatherings become places of encouragement, spiritual growth, and training; equipping believers to lead in their churches and to carry the light of Christ wherever they go, even back to their home countries.
One such program, Serving Like Jesus, was recently brought to three churches in Kuwait. Though each congregation is unique, the seminar sparked a shared passion to serve and share the gospel more boldly. At one church, many members are Sri Lankan women working as domestic workers. For them, the message of using one’s time for God’s kingdom struck a deep chord.
“A very practical message,” said Sister Thakshila. “[It] gave us a lesson on how to make the most of our time to serve our Lord.” Pastor Randolf also echoed this gratitude: “The seminar showed us how faithful and loving God is — not only saving and forgiving, but also healing, freeing, and comforting.”
These stories are just glimpses of what God is doing in the Gulf and Bethlehem through our ministry partners. We invite you to celebrate these stories and the incredible impact of God’s Word on the lives of individuals and congregations in the region and to pray for and support the Kingdom’s work in that fascinating and yet challenging region. Young men and women are being equipped to follow Christ with integrity, lead with passion, and serve with love—strengthening the present and future church in the Middle East.
