WHY MENA?

A region in great need.

Among 3.6 billion people in the world with little to no access to the gospel, MENA is one of the most densely concentrated regions of need.    

What is MENA?

MENA stands for the Middle East and North Africa — a region of 23 nations with some of the lowest access to the gospel in the world.
AN OVERLOOKED REGION

A region few Christians are focused on reaching.

Despite the scale of the need, MENA receives only a small share of the Church’s global missions focus.

<0.1%

of Christian giving goes toward the MENA region.

3%

Of christian missionaries serve in MENA nations.
DESPITE ALL THIS,

God is still at work.
He invites us to join him.

PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS: GIDEON'S 300

There’s a place for you in reaching MENA.

You don’t have to move across the world to take part. Choose a nation, join a team, and spend one year praying, learning, and taking meaningful action to see people reached with the gospel.
Choose a nation
ONE NATION
Know one nation.
Get stories, updates, and resources that help you know its people, understand the needs, and pray with purpose.
ONE YEAR
Pray. Learn. Act.
Spend one year praying intentionally, learning deeply, and taking meaningful action for your chosen nation.
ONE GLOBAL TEAM
Don't do it alone.
Meet weekly with a leader and other believers committed to praying and taking action for the same nation.
ADOPT A NATION

Find the nation you’ll stand with.

Explore 23 MENA nations and choose one to stand with for a year—praying, learning, and taking action alongside a team committed to the same nation.
Central Asia
Pakistan
A diverse and resilient nation facing poverty, natural disasters, violence, and religious persecution.
Pakistan is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations and more than 70 languages, yet millions live in poverty amid terrorism, flooding, and ongoing conflict over Kashmir. More than 95 percent of the nation is Muslim, and the Christian minority of less than 2 percent faces discrimination and persecution from extremists, the government, and their own communities. Pray for Pakistani believers to persevere and for Muslims and terrorist groups to encounter Christ.
257M
1.4%
Urdu
Republic
99%
https://vimeo.com/1216151895?share=copy
Pray for courageous faith despite fierce persecution.
Pray for the lost to find security in Christ amid deep economic difficulty.
Pray for defense for the vulnerable against extremist violence and oppression.
Central Asia
Afghanistan
A historic crossroads of civilizations enduring Taliban oppression, deep poverty, and severe restrictions on women and religious minorities.
Once a vital crossroads of the Silk Road, Afghanistan has been plunged back into fear, poverty, and oppression under Taliban rule, with women and girls stripped of their most basic rights. Christians make up less than 0.1 percent of the population, and converting from Islam is punishable by death. Yet Afghanistan's Church is one of the fastest-growing in the world, as many Muslims, including Taliban fighters, turn to Jesus through dreams and visions.
49M
<0.1%
Dari
Theocracy
99%
https://vimeo.com/1119554845?share=copy
Pray for a growing, united Church marked by courage and perseverance amid intense persecution.
Pray for the love of Christ to radically transform the hearts of terrorists and oppressive powers.
Pray for healing, provision, and restoration for generations torn apart by violence and injustice.
North Africa
Mauritania
A largely Saharan Islamic republic struggling with poverty and continuing slavery while its tiny Christian community lives under pressure.
Covered almost entirely by the Sahara, Mauritania is rich in natural resources but burdened by poverty, food insecurity, and the lingering practice of slavery. About 99 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim, public evangelism is heavily restricted, and Bibles cannot be printed in the country. Despite these barriers, a small group of believers and Christian workers continue to persevere and share the Gospel.
5.2M
<0.2%
Arabic
Republic
99%
https://vimeo.com/1215775836?share=copy
Pray for freedom to spread the Gospel, open hearts to its truth, and an end to persecution.
Pray for believers to find strength, courage, and comfort from their relationship with the Lord amid persecution.
Pray for racial unity, economic empowerment for the poor, and protection for women vulnerable to abuse.
North Africa
Sudan
A war-torn nation where decades of ethnic conflict have created immense hunger and displacement while Christians face persecution.
Since 2023, a brutal civil war has plunged Sudan into the world's largest displacement crisis, forcing 14 million people from their homes and leaving tens of millions in extreme hunger. Most Sudanese are Arab Sunni Muslims, and believers face strong persecution, especially in the Nuba Mountains. Pray for Sudanese Christians to remain faithful and unite as one body to bring hope to a nation in crisis.
50M
~1.5%
Arabic
Republic
55.1%
https://vimeo.com/1219284748?share=copy
Pray for the millions ravaged by violence to encounter the God of love.
Pray for an end to the devastating war, division, hate, and violence.
Pray for courage and steadfast faith for severely persecuted Christians.
Arabian Peninsula
Yemen
A former center of the coffee trade now suffering devastating war, hunger, water scarcity, and severe religious persecution.
Once known as the "Happy Land" for its fertile mountains and coffee trade, Yemen has been torn apart by civil war, famine, disease, and militant groups since 2015. Nearly 100 percent of the population is Muslim, and it remains one of the least evangelized nations on earth and among the worst for Christian persecution. Still, through the internet and secret gatherings, more Yemenis are turning to Christ than ever before.
35M
<1%
Arabic
Transitional
99%
https://vimeo.com/23218592?share=copy
Pray for divine justice that breaks corruption and relieves life-threatening poverty.
Pray for persecuted Christians to experience freedom from imprisonment and fear.
Pray for godly men and women who will courageously lead secret believers.
Arabian Peninsula
United Arab Emirates
A federation of seven monarchies that transformed oil wealth into a global economy largely powered by expatriate residents.
The United Arab Emirates is one of the world's most diverse nations, with nearly 90 percent of residents being migrants, many of whom are exploited under the Kafala labor system. Christians may worship in about 40 approved churches, and more than 150 underground church meetings gather in Dubai alone. However, evangelism is strictly prohibited, and Muslim-background believers face severe persecution and rejection from their families.
10M
12.9%
Arabic
Federation
83.2%
https://vimeo.com/1222738715?share=copy
Pray for Spirit-led boldness for Christians as they share the Gospel discreetly.
Pray for the radical transformation of people who oppress and exploit the vulnerable.
Pray for strong, growing Emirati communities of disciples.
Central Asia
Türkiye
A hospitable industrial nation bridging Europe and Asia while facing economic inequality, political restrictions, and growing pressure on churches.
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Türkiye is a large economy known for its hospitality and close-knit communities, yet it faces inequality, restrictions on free speech, and tension with ethnic minorities. Though once home to many New Testament churches, Türkiye is now 96 percent Muslim, and Christianity is viewed as a threat to national identity. Family pressure, social suspicion, and government restrictions make evangelism difficult, but God continues to offer salvation to those who turn to Him.
85M
<0.2%
Turkish
Republic
99%
https://vimeo.com/27165098
Pray for Turkish nationals to find their identity in Christ alone.
Pray for believers to persevere and find hope in Jesus amid increasing persecution.
Pray for peace and reconciliation with ethnic and religious minorities.
North Africa
Tunisia
A Mediterranean nation and birthplace of the Arab Spring facing economic hardship, renewed authoritarianism, and pressure against its small Church.
Tunisia sparked the Arab Spring in 2010, but years of political instability, a weak economy, and a return toward authoritarian rule have left many struggling to make ends meet. Christians make up less than one percent of the population, and 17 of the country's 19 people groups remain unreached. Believers often face rejection from family, job loss, and social pressure, and threats have driven some church leaders out of the country.
12M
<1%
Arabic
Republic
99%
https://vimeo.com/1217328998?share=copy
Pray for courage and strength for persecuted believers to witness to unbelievers and family members.
Pray for persecutors to encounter Christ’s love.
Pray for daily provision and hope amid high unemployment and financial burdens.
Near East
Syria
An ancient nation rebuilding under a transitional government after a devastating war displaced millions and shattered its communities.
Home to Damascus, one of the world's oldest cities, Syria has been devastated by a civil war that began in 2011, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and creating one of the largest refugee crises in modern history. The nation is overwhelmingly Muslim, and many Christians have fled amid insecurity and threats from extremist groups. Pray that Syrian believers, like the church of Antioch before them, would rediscover their zeal and share Christ's hope with a nation in turmoil.
24M
10%
Arabic
Transitional
31.9%
https://vimeo.com/1227018033?share=copy
Pray for dreams and visions that reveal Christ to those in desperate need of hope.
Pray for healing, provision, and belonging in Christ for the impoverished and displaced.
Pray for God-given vision for youth to stay in their homeland and rebuild their country.
Arabian Peninsula
Saudi Arabia
An oil-rich birthplace of Islam undergoing rapid social change while public Christian worship and conversion remain severely restricted.
As the birthplace of Islam and home to Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia is consistently ranked among the most restrictive nations on earth for freedom of speech and religion. Conversion from Islam is punishable by death, and sharing the Christian faith publicly can bring severe punishment or deportation. Despite immense persecution, the underground Church is growing through online media, satellite TV, and the witness of Christian migrants.
37M
~5%
Arabic
Monarchy
91.1%
https://vimeo.com/1211694703?share=copy
Pray for saudis and Muslim pilgrims to encounter Christ within the heartland of Islam.
Pray for boldness and perseverance for Muslim-Background Believers despite family and government opposition.
Pray for sharia law to give way to godly justice and mercy.
Arabian Peninsula
Qatar
A wealthy Gulf peninsula ruled by the Al Thani family and sustained by a vast migrant workforce whose religious gatherings are regulated.
Qatar grew from quiet fishing and pearling towns into one of the world's highest-earning nations, with migrant workers now making up over 90 percent of the labor force and often facing abuse. More than 80 percent of the population is Muslim, and while Christians may worship in government-designated compounds, the Church is largely made up of expatriates. It is illegal to share the Gospel with Qataris, and converts face legal challenges and family rejection.
2.6M
13.7%
Arabic
Monarchy
87.3%
https://vimeo.com/1217011058?share=copy
Pray for supernatural dreams, visions, and miracles revealing Jesus Christ as God's Holy One to Muslims.
Pray for an established church among the Qatari people.
Pray for a deep awareness of spiritual poverty, driving wealthy, self-sufficient hearts to recognize their need for a Savior.
Arabian Peninsula
Oman
A stable maritime monarchy diversifying beyond oil, where expatriates worship freely but sharing Christianity with Muslims is prohibited.
Oman is a stable, seafaring nation known for its moderate foreign policy, yet many of its migrant workers are trapped in exploitative, forced-labor conditions. Nearly 90 percent of the population is Muslim, and while expatriate Christians may worship freely, sharing the Gospel with Muslims is strictly forbidden. Very few native Omanis follow Jesus, but that number is slowly growing as ministries discreetly bring them the good news.
4M
6.4%
Arabic
Monarchy
91%
https://vimeo.com/1216135854?share=copy
Pray for opportunities and courage for Muslims to follow Jesus despite great social pressure.
Pray for churches to be planted throughout unreached populations, drawing people to Christ.
Pray for the flourishing of expatriates and young people searching for fair, stable work.
North Africa
Morocco
A scenic constitutional monarchy blending Amazigh and Islamic traditions while native Christians frequently gather in secret house churches.
Morocco blends Amazigh and Islamic traditions, but strict laws ban criticism of the monarchy or Islam, and severe droughts are widening the gap between rich and poor. Ninety-nine percent of the population is Muslim, and authorities closely monitor Christians and prevent Moroccans from attending official churches. Native believers gather secretly in house churches and often face rejection from family, leaving isolated converts vulnerable.
37M
<1%
Arabic
Monarchy
99%
https://vimeo.com/1215891570?share=copy
Pray for secret believers to remain resilient in Christ despite intense family pressure, social isolation, and surveillance.
Pray for the equipping and encouragement of mature leaders to mentor new believers, providing them with safe fellowship.
Pray for Bible-based media to bring the gospel to unreached Moroccans, leading many to Christ.
North Africa
Libya
An oil-rich Mediterranean nation divided by political conflict, armed militias, mass displacement, and extreme danger for Christians.
Despite vast oil reserves, Libya has been marked by civil wars, ISIS violence, and rival armed groups since 2011, leaving an estimated one-third of the population in poverty. It is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian, with evangelism illegal and less than 2.5 percent of the nation identifying as Christian. Radio, satellite television, and the internet offer vital ways to reach Libyans, who still lack a complete Bible in their spoken Libyan Arabic.
7.4M
2.7%
Arabic
Transitional
88.2%
https://vimeo.com/1205550627?share=copy
Pray for perseverance and courage for believers to proclaim Christ despite persecution, bringing many to faith.
Pray for wise and just leadership that brings peace, stability, and security to the nation.
Pray for women to be treated with dignity and given equal opportunities to participate in society.
Near East
Lebanon
A religiously diverse Mediterranean nation facing economic and regional turmoil while remaining an important center of Middle Eastern Christianity.
Lebanon is a religiously diverse nation and a refuge for millions, but repeated conflicts involving Hezbollah and Israel, along with one of the worst economic collapses in modern history, have left daily life a struggle. About one-third of the population is Christian, the highest concentration of believers in the Middle East, and it is the only Arab nation that legally allows conversion. By meeting the physical needs of refugees, the Church has become a strategic center for Christian ministry throughout the region.
5.4M
32.4%
Arabic
Republic
14%
https://vimeo.com/1222733296?share=copy
Pray for people to hope in God despite economic collapse and war.
Pray for renewal, provision, and security for a nation in turmoil.
Pray for the Church to grow in faith and numbers, unhindered by religious restrictions.
Arabian Peninsula
Kuwait
An oil-rich Gulf emirate with an immigrant majority and established churches, though evangelism and religious conversion remain restricted.
Kuwait holds some of the world's largest oil reserves, yet immigrants make up most of its population, and many migrant workers and stateless Bidoon people face exploitation and inequality. Expatriate Christians worship freely, but Kuwaiti converts from Islam may face family rejection, social pressure, and legal complications. Ministries reach Kuwaitis through friendships and online media, and many are quietly exploring Christianity in secret.
3.2M
18.2%
Arabic
Monarchy
75.7%
https://vimeo.com/1215535393?share=copy
Pray for the rich and poor to see beyond physical needs and recognize Christ as their deepest need.
Pray for the Church to multiply rapidly in a nation deeply devoted to Islam.
Pray for Kuwaiti leaders to protect the welfare of vulnerable expatriates and Christian minorities.
Near East
Jordan
A nation rich in biblical history but limited in natural resources, depending on tourism and foreign aid while supporting a small Christian community.
Rich in biblical history, Jordan is one of the most water-scarce nations in the world and hosts one of the highest refugee populations per capita, straining housing, jobs, and resources. Almost 96 percent of the population is Muslim, and public evangelism is restricted by law. Still, Christian ministries serve thousands of refugees, the evangelical community has more than doubled since 1995, and a growing number of Muslims are coming to faith.
11M
2.1%
Arabic
Monarchy
93.2%
https://vimeo.com/1229241371?share=copy
Pray for refugees and the unreached Muslim majority to encounter Christ.
Pray for Christ's provision and peace amid economic crisis and scarce resources.
Pray for God to unite and equip His Church for faithful witness.
Near East
Israel & Palestine
A land sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims that remains divided by competing territorial claims, violence, fear, and religious tension.
Home to holy sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, Israel has long been marked by deep hostility between Arab and Jewish populations, which reached a devastating peak with the October 7, 2023 attack and the war in Gaza that followed. Nearly three-quarters of the population follows Judaism, less than two percent is Christian, and Messianic Jews and converts face increasing discrimination. Even so, interest in God's Word is growing as Messianic believers and house churches share the Good News that Messiah has come.
12M
~2%
Hebrew
Disputed
97.4%
https://vimeo.com/1226638913?share=copy
Pray for protection, peace, and restoration.
Pray for bold Christian faith to spread among Jews and Muslims despite increasing opposition.
Pray for Gospel-rooted love to replace deep religious and political division.
Near East
Iraq
An ancient cradle of civilization continuing to bear the scars of dictatorship, sectarian war, displacement, and attacks on religious minorities.
Known as the "cradle of civilization," Iraq is slowly recovering after decades of violence under Saddam Hussein and the Islamic State, though poverty, trauma, and ethnic and religious divisions remain. More than 95 percent of Iraqis are Muslim, 98 percent remain unreached, and Christians have endured decades of persecution. In the Kurdish north, believers are beginning to plant churches, and with 60 percent of the nation under 25, there is great hope for a young generation to spread the Gospel.
43M
1%
Arabic
Republic
98%
https://vimeo.com/1215530347?share=copy
Pray for a massive movement of youth who turn to Christ and boldly share their faith.
Pray for a Church grounded in the Gospel amid persecution and false teaching.
Pray for Christ-fueled reconciliation in a nation marked by deep ethnic divisions.
Central Asia
Iran
An ancient Persian nation now governed as an Islamic republic, where strict religious rule coexists with a rapidly growing underground Church.
Once the heart of the ancient Persian Empire, Iran is now an Islamic republic under the absolute authority of its Supreme Leader, marked by economic hardship, violent crackdowns on protests, and among the most executions in the world. Leaving Islam is treated as treason, Farsi-language services are illegal, and house church leaders face severe prison sentences. Yet as many seek truth beyond the regime, thousands report encountering Jesus in dreams and visions, and Iran now has one of the world's fastest-growing churches.
89M
0.7%
Persian
Theocracy
99%
https://vimeo.com/1220841283?share=copy
Pray for growing religious and political disillusionment to drive Iranians to Christ.
Pray for freedom from a deeply violent and oppressive government.
Pray for the Church to persevere and grow amid intense persecution.
North Africa
Egypt
An ancient Nile nation that is the Arab world’s most populous country and home to its largest Christian community amid continuing unrest.
Egypt is the most populous nation in the Arab world, yet many Egyptians face poverty, inflation, and unemployment under an authoritarian government that represses critics. It is home to the Middle East's largest body of Christians, and while believers generally worship openly, converts from Islam face intense social and family pressure. Vibrant evangelical churches are ministering across the nation, and the large Egyptian Church is poised to reach the entire Middle East and North Africa with the Gospel.
113M
10%
Arabic
Republic
12.2%
https://vimeo.com/1227022353?share=copy
Pray for dreams, visions, and miracles to draw Muslims to the truth of Jesus.
Pray for persecuted believers to persevere and boldly declare the Gospel.
Pray for daily provision and hope amid high inflation and financial burdens.
Arabian Peninsula
Bahrain
A diverse island monarchy and regional banking center where foreign churches worship openly, but local believers often remain hidden.
Bahrain is a long-standing center of trade and one of the Gulf's most diverse societies, though it restricts political opposition and free expression, and many migrant workers face exploitation. More than 83 percent of the population is Muslim, and while expatriate Christians worship freely, sharing the Gospel with Muslims is illegal, forcing Bahraini believers to follow Jesus in secret. Ministries are using online evangelism and digital discipleship to safely reach seekers and secret believers across the Gulf.
1.6M
~10%
Arabic
Monarchy
77.6%
https://vimeo.com/81021758?share=copy
Pray for a united and mature national Church that points Bahrainis to Christ.
Pray for Christian migrants to creatively and boldly proclaim the Gospel.
Pray for Muslim Bahrainis to discover Gospel-proclaiming media resources.
North Africa
Algeria
Africa’s largest nation, blending Arab, Amazigh, Islamic, and French influences while its growing Christian community faces opposition.
Africa's largest country, Algeria blends Arab, Berber, and French influences and relies heavily on oil and gas, leaving many to struggle with unemployment and drought. Christians make up just 0.1 percent of the population, and unregistered churches are quickly closed, with many believers imprisoned on blasphemy or proselytizing charges. Even so, through visions, radio, and satellite TV, Algeria has one of the fastest-growing indigenous Protestant movements in the Arab world, especially among the Kabyle people.
48M
0.1%
Arabic
Republic
99%
https://vimeo.com/1222724573?share=copy
Pray for God’s Word to reach hands, homes, and hearts through creative means.
Pray for an emboldened and multiplying Church as persecution intensifies.
Pray for lasting hope and purpose in Christ for youth.

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