MENA (MNN) — Refugee crises abound in the Middle East and North Africa today. Think of Syria, Gaza, Yemen, and Sudan just to name a few. That’s why the MENA Leadership Center is offering a new course on refugee ministry.
“Whatever type or demographic of refugee we’re talking about, the principles are still the same. Those people are in need for help and support within the region,” says Fadi Sharaiha with the MENA Leadership Center.
Sharaiha says believers in Lebanon are a great example. They have lived out James 1:27 by welcoming displaced Syrians in recent years — those who traditionally might be considered their enemies.
“What I love about this is that the Lord is challenging us to be more like Him in accepting and helping and supporting refugees,” Sharaiha says.
On April 28-29, Christian leaders from different ministries in the Middle East (including Pakistan) will begin the “Refugee Ministry Framework” course. The MENA Leadership Center has partnered with the International Association for Refugees (IAFR) to offer this training. Students will learn how to evaluate needs of displaced people and identify opportunities to meet those needs in the name of Christ, who was Himself a refugee once.
“We are not using this ministry to enforce or impose the gospel on people. Definitely not,” Sharaiha notes. “But it’s again, another opportunity to share the gospel with them.”
Sharaiha adds that outside of intense persecution, equipping local believers to respond to local refugee crises is usually the best plan, instead of relocation.
“As Christians, we need to support and help, not for them to come to Europe or different countries, but to help them manage the refugee situation or displacement situation within the region,” he explains.
MENA Leadership Center partners with more than 132 ministries throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
(Photo courtesy of MENA Leadership Center)
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You can be a part of what God is doing in the MENA region to raise up leaders in the church for gospel ministry.
“I really would like to invite people to have compassion — Jesus’ heart, Jesus’ hand and Jesus’ eyes to the situation [of refugees],” Sharaiha says.
Pray for local ministries in the MENA region who are trying to serve refugees, sometimes with very limited resources and training. Pray for the MENA Leadership Center and IAFR as they prepare for and then deliver the course training this month.
“Finally please, if you can and [are] able, support us financially so that we can do more of those courses,” Sharaiha says.
If you’re interested in building up Christian leaders in the MENA region, partner with the MENA Leadership Center here. Check out the courses coming later this year to see what you’d be investing in.
Header image courtesy of the MENA Leadership Center.
