Middle East Partner Update | March 2026
“Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
(2 Corinthians 4:1)
Paul’s words to the church in Corinth echo true in this heavy and uncertain moment as war once again casts a long shadow over the Middle East. Violence, fear, and instability have a way of affecting everyone – families, churches, ministries, and the most vulnerable in communities. No one remains untouched.
In such circumstances, it would be easy to despair and to give up hope. And yet, our partners throughout the Middle East are responding differently. Below is a brief update on our partners who find themselves in the midst of uncertainty and upheaval.
The Near East School of Theology (Beirut, Lebanon) writes, “We are doing fine for now. We continue with our academic programs, getting ready to go hybrid and online without interruption as the needs arise. We are also turning our attention to the intense needs in the neighborhood around us as refugees from the South flow into Beirut. We are reminded that our life is not only about enduring and holding strong, but also about serving in the hardest conditions. This is what turns us from victims of political whims to actors with agency to bring change and comfort to the suffering.”
Bethlehem Bible College (Bethlehem) writes, “We feel deeply the weight of what is happening around us. Our students, faculty, and church communities carry anxiety for loved ones, uncertainty about the future, and concern for daily safety and provision. And still, we cling to the promises of God.”
Musalaha (Jerusalem) shares that their staff is safe and remains committed to the work, while taking all necessary precautions.
The Bible Society of the Gulf, operating in six countries in the Arabian Peninsula, reports that their staff is safe and shared this picture of a staff member in Dubai holding a Bible study and prayer time amid the ongoing tension. They write, “His faithful witness is a powerful reminder that the Word of God continues to bring hope, even in the midst of conflict.”
Pastors from the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon reflect on the feeling of the whole region being shaken, without certainty of the next day. The diaconal arm of the Synod, the Compassion Protestant Society, has already hosted around 20 displaced people in their facility in Sidon Church, but they anticipate that number to grow since they estimate more than 90,000 people are already displaced in Lebanon.
Did you catch the theme through the updates?
Even in the midst of uncertainty and anxiety, the ministry continues. Yes, adaptations have been necessary, but the Church refuses to lose heart. And so, there is hope. For as Paul reminds us, “we do not lose heart.”
THE OPPORTUNITY
Please pray for our partners around the region. Specific requests from our partners include:
For peace in the region, an end to violence, safety for all people, and wisdom among leaders
For the students of Bethlehem Bible College that they would be strengthened, not discouraged, and formed into courageous servant leaders
For strength, mental health, and resilience for the Musalaha staff as they continue running programs amid these challenges
For the continued safety of the Bible Society of the Gulf staff and their families
For students and graduates of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, who are spread around the region, that they would be confident in God’s presence as they continue in their studies and ministries
For the pastors and leaders of the Synod of the Nile to remain steadfast and courageous in these times
For the students and staff of the Near East School of Theology as they love and care for neighbors
For the pastors and leaders of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon as they minister in times of uncertainty and fear, and especially for the Compassion Protestant Society as they serve those who have been displaced
For courage and endurance for those continuing in ministry under pressure that all might minister with hope, resilience, and integrity
In his first letter to the Church in Corinth, Paul writes, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). The prayers of the whole Church are a reminder of this truth. We are one body in Christ, sharing burdens, sharing hope, sharing in the mission of God.
The ministry of each of these partners is ongoing and will continue even in these tumultuous times. The Outreach Foundations seeks gifts to support the ongoing work of our partners. All gifts of any size are welcome. You may make a gift by sending a check to the address below with the partner name in the memo or you can donate on our website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org.
