Lebanon

Partner with Local Missionaries in Lebanon

Located in the 10/40 Window

Politically and economically fractured, Lebanon’s religiously and ethnically mixed population has staggered from high unemployment and inflation, COVID-19, and the massive August 2020 chemical explosion in the port of Beirut. Amid this chaos and an influx of refugees from neighboring Syria, many people have turned to Christ.

Islam is the leading religion at more than 61 percent of the population, about evenly divided between Sunnis and Shiites. Christians amount to nearly 34 percent of the population. Among those identifying as Christians, Maronite Catholics are the largest group, followed by Greek Orthodox, and only 1 percent of the population is Protestant.

Arabic is the official national language while French can be used in legally prescribed instances. Nearly 40 percent of Lebanese people are considered francophone and another 15 percent “partial francophone,” while 70 percent of Lebanon’s secondary schools use French as a second language of instruction. English is increasingly used in business and science. About 5 percent of the population is Armenian and speak in their native tongue.

With the high cost of living getting higher every day, support for local missionaries is greatly needed. They are spreading word of eternal life in Christ in a variety of ways, with a remarkable number of saved souls especially in outreaches to children and refugees. Assistance to train Muslim-background leaders reaching refugees is needed. Newly believing refugees require discipleship training and gospel literature to be biblically grounded and to reach others with the gospel. Funding for Bibles, audio Bibles and the costs of rent and transportation is critical. One ministry seeks donations to continue bi-weekly Bible clubs that draw 600 children monthly; workers also reach youths in evangelistic sports camps, summer camps and other outreaches.

Besides working under difficult circumstances with scant resources, local missionaries are ministering to hurting people afflicted in many ways. Persecuted converts from Islam and other refugees need food, medicine and housing assistance. One ministry requests assistance to help 36 Christian families struggling to survive amid factory closings and mass unemployment.

Following governmental and economic collapse, local missionaries are providing health care at a medical clinic based in a native ministry community center. They are caring for increasing numbers of patients daily with medicines, physiotherapy, lab tests, spiritual counseling and other care. As workers provide a powerful demonstration of Christ’s love, they are reaching destitute families with the hope of the gospel.

Sources: Joshua Project, Wikipedia, CIA Factbook

6.74 million

Population

0.71%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Lebanon

Pray the Lord will provide resources for local missionaries and those they are serving to survive amid a ruined economy further afflicted by COVID-19.
Pray that more youth leaders will be trained to meet the growing number of children wishing to participate in kids’ Bible clubs.
Pray that Muslims putting their faith in Christ will be protected from violent hostility, and that those abandoned by family and friends will find new community in Christ.

More stories from Lebanon

Help Provide Compassionate Care in Lebanon

As living conditions continue to deteriorate, impoverished families have even less access to health care, and a native ministry is seeing more patients. Christian workers offer health care to both Lebanese and refugees at a clinic on their church premises, serving 100 to 120 patients weekly, and their facility at a community center offers lab tests, fetal monitoring, physiotherapy for adults and children, a pharmacy and other care. The ministry provided medical care to 2,550 people over a six-month period, and needs are increasing. Workers seek donations of $25 or $50 to provide health care and other aid to needy people. Pray for economic recovery and the Lord’s strength for workers.

Help Provide Compassionate Aid in Lebanon

A non-Christian retiree who lost most of his pension in Lebanon’s banking crisis of 2019 recently received help from a native ministry with acquiring the medications that he and his wife needed. He told Christian workers, “It is because of the strong faith that you people at the church have that I came to believe in Jesus too.” Native Christian workers also provided food to 18,340 households last year, along with health care and other aid to vulnerable Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees. Donations of $35 or $70 are sought for such compassionate aid. Pray for economic and political stability, as both workers and those they’re serving struggle.

Support Gospel Workers in Lebanon

The message of God’s love is bringing hope to both Lebanese nationals and refugees as they struggle to survive in an imploding economy. One ministry reached 400 people with the gospel at its worship meetings and other outreaches over six months, and another 500 received the message on live broadcasts of its Sunday services on Facebook. “The Word of God is attracting people, and the Holy Spirit moves them to Christ,” the ministry leader said. Workers with this group and other native ministries need donations to share the gospel and follow up with those who put their trust in Christ. Pray the Lord would revive and renew the spirits of the weary.

Help Bring Christ’s Love to the Lost in Lebanon

Children in a native ministry’s education program attend a daily chapel in which they sing, pray and hear a Bible story. The ministry reaches youth in multiple ways, including Bible clubs, youth camps and sports outreaches. Workers also reach out to the poor and marginalized. “As a result, many are coming to the Lord, especially the youth,” the ministry leader said. “Drug addicts and alcoholics are overcoming their addictions, and people experiencing the love of Christ are reconciling with each other.” Donations are sought to bring the love of Christ to the lost. Pray that people facing great darkness will find comfort in the light of Christ.

Help Send Word of Christ’s Grace in Lebanon

A father of three young children was pleased when they became involved in a native Christian ministry’s youth program, and when he was laid off from one of two jobs he had taken to support his family, a native Christian worker offered to pray for him. The next day he obtained new work that paid so well it enabled him to quit his other job, and he then had time to attend the ministry’s adult Bible study for parents of the children in the kids program. He and his family have put their faith in Christ. Donations are sought for these and other gospel outreaches and follow-up. Pray for worker safety and provision.

Enable Workers to Form Strong Disciples in Lebanon

Amid social, economic and political chaos, Lebanese nationals and refugees are putting their faith in Christ as local missionaries reach out to them. Distributing Bibles and gospel CDs and providing food and help finding work to the unemployed, workers also proclaimed Christ in home visits as they planted new home fellowships. They also guided other people they had led to the Lord to other area churches. A women’s Bible study included seekers and former Muslims who have come to Christ. Workers need donations to bring the message of Christ’s salvation and strengthen the faith of new believers. Pray the Holy Spirit will refresh weary workers.