A group of 18 people have planted an English-speaking Seventh-day Adventist church in Amman, the Jordanian capital.

The group’s objective is to “create a place of worship where everyone feels safe and supported and where everyone finds acceptance and involvement,” says local church leader Curt de Gourville.

While Jordan is almost entirely Arabic speaking, Steve Manougian, an Adventist pastor working in Jordan, sees a growing need for such a ministry. “Over the years Jordan has attracted a lot of foreign workers as a result of economic growth and political stability. With the growing number of foreigners in Amman and attending the regular Adventist church, we thought of diversifying our outreach program to include foreigners in a step toward hastening the Lord’s coming. At present our group is comprised of English speakers of Kenyan, Armenian, Canadian, American, Filipino, Mexican, Nigerian and Jordanian [backgrounds],” he said. 

The group is keen to initiate projects that will benefit the local community. One such project will distribute food and household items to needy families. “Out of this initial project we hope to develop a food and clothing bank, based on donations from church and community leaders,” says Manougian.

Tasked with special responsibility for youth work for the Adventist Church in Jordan, Manougian is involving young people in painting and restoring one-room houses for disadvantaged families. He adds, “We are working on including health and cooking seminars, seminars to help people to stop smoking, English language classes, sports activities, and youth programs for the community.”

“Our long-term plans for growth are to involve attendees in all kinds of ministries based on their spiritual gifts,” Manougian adds. “Involvement in lay ministry is fundamental to the growth of any church.”