BAPTISTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The Middle East is one of the regions in the world where
Baptist witness is least represented, but there is a presence.
Statistics suggest that there are more than 80 churches with
approximately 5,500 baptized believers.
Yet, the Middle East is important as it is the Cradle of Christianity,
the place where the largest religious faith in the world started before it
became a global force.
Most Christians in the Middle East are Arabs, including in Israel,
where Baptists have a small but significant presence in cities such as
Nazareth and Haifa, which have significant Palestinian Arab presence
with Israeli citizenship.
In this issue, we highlight the trials and travails, yet the hope that
exists among Middle East Christians generally, and among Baptists in
particular.