This region, rich in culture and history, is one of the most spiritually challenging places in the world. Political conflicts, legal restrictions, and social barriers create difficult conditions for open ministry. Yet, over the past few years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has seen the Holy Spirit working in this place through meaningful progress, steady growth, and powerful stories of transformation.

Mission during Conflict

Six countries in the MENAUM region have been engaged in active warfare over the past few years. In 2023-2024, violence escalated in the area surrounding the MENAUM headquarters building itself. Still, the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church remains active. Over the years, countless lives have been touched through schools, Urban Centers of Influence, literature, and the compassionate outreach of local church members. These efforts are often small and quiet, but their impact is significant.

A Region of Urgent Need

The MENAUM territories continue to be one of the least-reached regions on earth. While the global ratio of Seventh-day Adventists to the general population is one to 353, in MENAU, the number is one to 99,100. To put this in perspective, walking through a city like Beirut, it could take 65 days before meeting another Adventist.

This limited presence makes traditional methods of evangelism less effective. In response, MENAUM has expanded its strategy through local leadership training, health education, small group growth, and strong investment in digital outreach.

Restoring a Light: Arise Beirut

One of the recent blessings MENAUM received is the reopening of Arise Beirut. Located in the Achrafieh district of the Lebanese capital, this Urban Center of Influence occupies a three-story building that was originally inaugurated in 1959 but later damaged by the Lebanese civil war.

After decades of abandonment, it was fully restored in 2024 through generous support and volunteer teamwork. Arise Beirut now serves as a welcoming space for young professionals and students, offering community programs and spiritual connection even during times of local crisis.

Digital Outreach that Breaks Barriers

In a region where only 4 percent of households have access to the Bible, and where sharing faith is often illegal or dangerous, digital outreach has become essential. In recent years, MENAUM has received more than thirty thousand direct messages through its online platforms. Many of these messages come from individuals seeking spiritual truth in secret, sometimes at great personal risk. Digital outreach has opened doors that would otherwise remain closed, offering hope to people who may never be reached through traditional means.

Growth in Small Groups and Worship

Despite the difficulties, MENAUM is seeing encouraging signs of growth. In the past three years alone, a 12-percent increase in church membership has been recorded, and a 121-percent rise in regular worship attendance has been seen. These numbers reflect the strength of local small groups and the dedication of members who continue to share their faith despite cultural resistance.

Since 2018, a total of 1,978 individuals have been baptized across the union. The gospel is taking root, often in quiet but lasting ways.

New Paths and Global Support

MENAUM has also launched its first all-Arabic Adventist Theology Seminar, opening new opportunities for training local leaders in their own language. In countries where no Adventist presence had existed for decades, national believers are now slowly rising.

This work is made possible through the support of the global church. More than 260 volunteers have served in countries of the MENAUM in the past few years, and nine of the world divisions have sent workers to support the work of God in the region. Today, 88 global mission projects are actively operating across the region.

A Call to Pray for MENA

The work in the MENAUM region is full of challenges, but also full of hope, leaders say. Over the past three years, it has become clear that even in challenging and restricted environments, God is moving hearts, opening doors, and building communities of faith, they state.

The MENAUM invites the global church to pray for this work. Pray for the people still waiting to hear the gospel. Pray for the safety and strength of those serving on the ground. And pray for peace across the region, so that light may shine even brighter.

There is still much work to be done, but one thing is clear. Even in the darkest places, the light of God is still shining.

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.