‘Hope for the World Was Born in the Middle East': Sharing the Gospel With the Arab World

TWR's mission in the Middle East seeks to share the gospel in the land of its origin, ministering to Christians and seekers alike.

In a region marked by conflict and instability, one man’s journey serves as a reminder of the power of the gospel. As the Arabic Ministry director for TWR, he reflects the faith of the local body of Christ, proclaiming hope in the very land where the message of Christ began. 

“Hope for the world was born in the Middle East,” he said with conviction. “Christ Jesus was born, died and rose again in the Middle East.” 

For decades, TWR has been a steady light in the region, bringing hope to millions. But behind the ministry stands the people who make it happen, like the director, whose personal story is deeply intertwined with the mission of TWR and the challenges of being a follower of Christ in the Middle East. 

Answering the Call 

“I lived in a healthy Christian family,” the director recalled. “My family members were all involved in ministry, and I grew up going to Sunday school, learning Bible stories and being surrounded by a wonderful Christian culture.” 

But like many young people, he wrestled with questions about the meaning of life. 

“I didn’t want to just live and die like everyone else. I wanted my life to have purpose.” 

At the age of 16, while attending a Christian summer camp, everything changed. In a moment of clarity, he felt God’s Spirit speaking to his heart: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  

All the Christian teachings he had grown up with clicked into place that day. He made the decision to follow Christ, repent and dedicate his life to Jesus. 

“From day one, I had the spark,” he said. “I wanted to make him known to everyone. I wanted to help others find purpose.” 

Since that day, his heart has always been drawn to ministry. Though he worked in the secular world for a few years, he wanted something more, so he joined an organization focused on distributing Bibles in the Arab world. 

“I was so thrilled to be able to bring a Bible to a person who had never seen one and to see the excitement in their eyes as they read it,” he reflected. 

Around the age of 32, his journey took a pivotal turn when he joined TWR.  

“Being involved in ministry to help others see and experience the love of God is the best job that someone could have. It’s better than any achievements, money, positions or titles.” 

A Steady Light in an Unstable Region 

The Middle East is a region that has known crisis after crisis.  

“I don’t remember a time when we didn’t have some kind of crisis,” he said. “If you want to live in this part of the world, you have to be ready for it. We want to be ready if God has allowed us, first of all, to be born here.” 

In the face of instability, TWR has remained a consistent and steady presence. For over 70 years, TWR has brought the message of hope to the region. The director described TWR’s approach as being a “light bulb” rather than a “firework.” 

“Fireworks are exciting for a moment, but they fade quickly. A light bulb stays on. It might not be flashy, but it brings steady, lasting light. That’s what we do. We’re here for the long term.” 

This steady presence is particularly important during times of crisis, and TWR’s mission remains rooted in unshakable hope. The director repeatedly emphasizes that it is God who ultimately does the work through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The Power of Hope 

The director shared a story about a listener whose father was battling cancer. The listener asked TWR to pray for healing, but God answered in an unexpected way.  

Although the father passed away, he accepted Christ shortly before his death, and his salvation had a ripple effect on the entire family. Many of the family members accepted the Christian faith as a result! The listener was grateful for God’s eternal healing. 

Stories like this remind the director and his team that the need for spiritual bread is greater than the need for physical bread. 

“The future can be better if you connect with God. That’s the message,” the director said. “We live by the Word of Truth, which gives us hope for a better future, not only on earth, but for eternity. … That’s the message we try to deliver: Just look up. Look up.” 

The director firmly believes that both he and the organization have been placed in the Middle East for a reason.  

“God has put us here for such a time as this,” he said. “He has given us the tools, the infrastructure and the vision to share his hope with people who desperately need it.” 

Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the future.  

“The best is yet to come, and we want to be there for it,” he said with a smile. “We don’t just want to survive; we want to jump into every opportunity to bring the message of hope to those who need to hear it more than ever before.” 

TWR’s mission in the Middle East and the faith of its leaders remind us that hope is not only alive but also returning to the place where it all began. 

Images: (top banner) A man sits before a class of people in Afghanistan, (middle, right) Two people are seen navigating the war-torn streets of Daraa, Syria.