Empowering Christian Leaders in Pakistan: MENA Leadership Center
Christians make up just a tiny sliver of Pakistan’s population, but a new training program is quietly equipping their pastors to transform entire communities—one church at a time.
The program is through the MENA Leadership Center and aims to empower congregations and their leadership in very dangerous parts of the world. Pakistan’s Christians make up just 2% of the mostly Muslim and Hindu country.
“I see those challenges as opportunities for us to work on those challenges,” said Fadi Sharaiha, vice president of programs and partnerships. “So whether it’s a capacity-building challenge, whether it’s an evangelistic approach challenge, those are opportunities for us to go meet those needs.”
The ministry’s mission is to train and equip leaders in the Middle East by providing tools that are essential to the expansion, acceleration and impact of Christians in the Muslim world. It launched its first six courses in 2020, training more than 141 ministry and non-governmental organization and non-profit leaders from 13 nations and 56 organizations.
The MENA Leadership Center is taking steps toward connecting with church leaders in Pakistan. It is starting in-person training programs that will teach believers how to better reach the lost with delivery tactics and by using their understanding of cultural needs. Through these partnerships, local leaders of Pakistani churches will be empowered with mentorship and training to encourage their members to spread the gospel.
READ: What we can learn from MENA believers
The ministry has connected with one Pakistani leader who currently is the head of 120 different churches. He is eager to learn how he can best help them share their faith despite persecution. “Can you imagine if we have those 120 churches on fire for Christ?” Sharaiha asked.
More than 93 percent of the Middle East is unreached with the gospel, according to the ministry’s website. Its focused courses provide the practical skills, digital tools and a faith- integrated education that help expand participants expand their reach and accomplish their Christ-centered mission.
The ministry hopes to see many leaders equipped and the church of Pakistan awakened and mobilized to powerfully share the good news. Sharaiha reminds supporters that Christianity across the globe started with only 12 disciples, so any small step will make a difference. For more information, visit www.menaleadershipcenter.com.
–Dwight Widaman
