{"id":30611,"date":"2026-11-12T14:22:02","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T14:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldea.org\/?p=30611"},"modified":"2026-11-12T14:22:07","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T14:22:07","slug":"mena-evangelical-assembly-jordan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldea.org\/de\/mena-evangelical-assembly-jordan\/","title":{"rendered":"Evangelische Versammlung aus dem Nahen Osten und Nordafrika in Jordanien ruft zu Religionsfreiheit, Einheit und St\u00e4rkung der Rolle der Frau auf."},"content":{"rendered":"

Evangelical leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa met at the Dead Sea in Jordan on 4\u20136 November 2026 for the General Assembly of the Middle East and North Africa Evangelical Alliance (MENA EA), the regional alliance of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). The assembly focused on strengthening cooperation among evangelical churches that face growing pressure in many countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the sessions, delegates returned to four themes: freedom of worship, unity among churches, women\u2019s empowerment, and mission. They framed the regional work as both spiritual and strategic. Participants stressed that collaboration must show in real outcomes for communities, not only in shared statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\tDelegates to the Middle East and North Africa Evangelical Alliance General Assembly gather at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea, Jordan.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n

A regional call for freedom of worship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In his opening remarks, Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, General Secretary of MENA EA, focused the meeting on freedom of worship for all people. He said the alliance exists to support believers and communities who advocate for that freedom in every nation across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sara also described how regional cooperation has deepened over time, recalling partnership work that began around 2016 and has since expanded. He pointed to practical examples, such as a clinic built with help from contributors in several countries, as evidence that unity can bring lasting, measurable benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said participants met with community leaders throughout the assembly to find ways to strengthen cooperation among churches in the region and beyond, including by connecting communities through shared engagement and mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A central question ran through the discussions: where is the Church today, and how can God renew it? Leaders expressed concern that declining Christian numbers could affect the future of the Church in the region by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reports from across the region<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Qatar: a worship center for the nations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bishop Beda Robles, President of the Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar, spoke about unity and a vision for a worship center intended for the \u201cnations.\u201d He said the alliance includes 136 churches that meet in different locations and pray in many languages, including Arabic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robles reported that about 18 dunams (around 1.8 hectares) of land have been provided for the worship center and that construction has begun. Delegates said the alliance hopes to open the center around April 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fundraising is a key focus: the alliance needs to raise about 80 million Qatari riyals (about $22 million). Participants also said a government partnership is expected to last three years, while support after that remains uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurdistan: a council across four governorates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rev. Firas Goga, Head of the Evangelical Churches in Kurdistan, described a council that spans four governorates in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It includes 30 registered churches and 22 unregistered churches that remain connected through the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goga estimated community involvement at between 2,000 and 3,500 people. He said migration shapes the council\u2019s strategy, noting that about 95% of Christians have emigrated from Iraq. The council therefore focuses on sustaining local worship through separate physical locations and small projects that strengthen congregations on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also thanked Jordanian evangelists, including Victor Hashweh, for their support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palestine: unemployment and the goal of full recognition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rev. Nihad Salman, President of the Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land, and his wife, Salwa, described both spiritual strain and daily hardship. They said Christians make up about 1% of the population of the West Bank, largely because of emigration driven by political pressure, the effects of conflict, and economic hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They reported that around 70% of church members are unemployed. Delegates also pointed to ongoing barriers to participation and stability, including restrictions and misunderstandings in the wider community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to their report, the council brings together 10 evangelical churches and 9 para-church organizations and has partial recognition. Its aim is full recognition. The council, elected in June 2025, listed its priorities as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n