Christian leaders working across the Middle East say a surge in spiritual openness is leading 1000’s to explore faith in Jesus, but warn that an absence of local discipleship structures risks leaving many recent believers unsupported.
Speaking to Church Mission Society (CMS), regional Christian leaders described unprecedented levels of spiritual searching, emerging from years of war, displacement, political instability and global upheaval.
They say the dimensions and speed of interest in Christianity — particularly amongst people displaced by conflict or disillusioned with corruption — is unlike anything seen in recent generations.
Yet without sustained investment in locally led discipleship, they fear many may struggle to stay rooted in faith.
One regional leader, identified only as ‘S’ for security reasons, said the present climate has created a rare openness to the Christian message.
“Everything is shaking, but within the unseen, God has been preparing hearts,” said S.
According to the regional leader, this openness began through the Covid-19 pandemic and has continued through subsequent regional and global crises.
People encountering Jesus for the primary time have done so while fleeing violence or grappling with loss across various countries within the Middle East.
One woman displaced by the war in Syria informed the regional leader that losing her home had ultimately led her to come across Jesus.
While leaders report that tens of 1000’s across the region are actually engaging with the Christian faith, they are saying the expansion is exposing serious gaps in pastoral care and long-term formation.
In some countries, increasing restrictions on religious freedom mean recent believers — particularly those from Muslim backgrounds — cannot safely attend traditional churches.
As a result, informal house churches and online Bible studies have expanded rapidly, often operating discreetly to avoid persecution.
S said: “They need love, acceptance, a secure community. They need assistance discovering their identity in God. And many churches within the region simply aren’t equipped for this.”
Chief executive and former mission director of CMS Andy Roberts said the danger isn’t an absence of evangelistic response, however the absence of sustained, contextual discipleship.
He explained: “There is in a really real sense, a discipleship gap growing within the Middle East, which implies that if we don’t act at this pivotal moment, this might adversely affect the long run of the body of Christ there.”
CMS says it’s prioritising efforts to strengthen locally led responses, particularly in areas where Christians remain a small and vulnerable minority.
These include training local believers to disciple others, investing in emerging leaders who understand the cultural and emotional realities facing converts, expanding digital outreach, and supporting the formation of small, discreet faith communities.
S said collaboration across Christian organisations could be critical if the momentum is to be sustained.
“We cannot proceed with ‘business as usual’. The harvest is large. We must work together in recent ways,” she said. “God is connecting modern-day Esthers, Josephs and Daniels – unusual individuals with a rare purpose.”
She added that the present moment represents a rare opportunity – “the most important harvest the world has ever seen,” calling on congregations within the UK to work together in partnership, combining their distinct strengths to reply effectively to the growing needs on the bottom.
S stressed that the long run of the movement lies in grassroots leadership quite than public platforms.
“Revival will come from the nameless and faceless, grassroots; small groups are good but they must be connected,” she said.
She concluded: “Evangelism and salvation are essential but growth in Christ is just as essential if no more so. We must nurture the seeds which have been planted or they’ll get snatched away.”
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