Dozens of Seventh-day Adventist leaders, former missionaries, retirees, and General Conference leaders gathered on October 10 to reconnect, share memories, and hear how the Church continues to move forward across the Middle East and North Africa.
Photographs from years past took participants down memory lane, recalling places where missionaries had served and communities where the Adventist presence had taken root. But the annual Middle East gathering was as much about looking ahead as remembering the past, with updates on new church plants, mission opportunities, and the continued development of Middle East University.
Denis Sand, president of the Middle East and North Africa Union Mission (MENAUM), told participants that the challenges facing the territory have also opened opportunities to find new ways to connect with people and share Jesus Christ.
Across the union’s 19 countries, less than 7,000 Seventh-day Adventists are working to reach a region that includes major population centers and communities with little or no Adventist presence. Sand said MENAUM is focusing on four areas: mission expansion, leadership development, Adventist discipleship, and the next generation.
That work currently includes more than 50 church-planting projects, training church-planting teams, and acquiring property for new congregations.
“Mission is expanding in many ways,” Sand said.
Yet the need for workers remains. Pointing to Jesus’ words in Luke 10:2 about the plentiful harvest and the need for laborers, Sand encouraged participants to pray each day at 10:02am for more people willing to serve in the Middle East.
The gathering also offered a glimpse of changes taking place at Middle East University, where close to 150 students are enrolled. Updates included plans involving land leasing, farming and agriculture, as well as the addition of more solar panels. Participants were encouraged to use their influence to invite young people to consider studying at the university.
A Kahoot quiz brought a lighter moment to the gathering, while participants were also given an opportunity to financially support the continued work of MENAUM and Middle East University.
The gathering ended with a special meal as former missionaries, retirees, and church leaders continued to share memories and reconnect with one another.
