Pray With Me About God’s Calling to the Middle East
I humbly ask for your prayers as I seek God’s will and timing for a calling that has become increasingly clear in my life. Over the past years, God has burdened my heart for the people of the Middle East, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia and Yemen. These nations, long seen as unreachable, are now more open than ever, offering unprecedented opportunities for the gospel.
This burden comes from the darkness I was once trapped in—the same darkness I now see in others. Before Jesus, I was broken and hopeless. No one ever sat me down and showed me the simplicity of salvation. When I read Romans 10:9-13 after being saved, I was shocked. It says:
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
I couldn’t believe no one had ever explained it to me. I was 21, addicted to alcohol and drugs, living as a criminal. I constantly broke the law, stealing, fighting, and getting arrested. I was violent, angry, and ashamed of the life I was living. I know sharing this might make people hesitant to trust that I’ve changed, but I share it because it shows the power of God’s redemption.
God set me free. Through prayer, preaching, meditating on His Word, and obedience to serving Him, my life was transformed. I started attending every church service and activity. The way I spoke and walked became unrecognizable. I had no skills or education—I dropped out of high school in 10th grade—but by God’s grace, I graduated college, developed skills for earning a living, and gained tools to spread the gospel.
Psalm 40:2 became my anthem: "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."
I couldn’t believe there was an alternative life for me—a life with purpose, hope, and joy. And now, the same people I once saw as enemies—those from the Arab world—are the people God is calling me to reach. I once watched in terror as the Twin Towers fell and saw my brothers fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Romans 10:12 reminds me:
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."
God commands us to go into all the world. These are not just nations or ideologies; they are people—people trapped in the same darkness and hopelessness I once knew.
Last year in Dubai, I witnessed a church meeting in a hotel conference room, filled with believers from across Asia and Africa. Dubai’s openness to Christianity stems partly from its goal to be a global travel hub, but it’s also a unique opportunity for the gospel to reach people from places like Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Even Saudi nationals I spoke with in Dubai acknowledged the changes happening in their country, inspired by Dubai’s example.
My Arabic teacher, a Saudi native, has shared how her homeland is becoming more open. This aligns with what God has been showing me. I believe He is calling me to begin in Dubai—a safe starting point for reaching the Middle East. With a business visa, I could live there long-term, establish connections, and begin ministry efforts.
My brother in Christ, Dan Hillerson, is ready to join this mission. A faithful servant of Christ and a Bible College graduate, Dan has a heart for discipleship and ministry. Together, we aim to plant a church in Dubai, with the hope of reaching surrounding nations like Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
God has used my testimony to prepare me for this. Romans 8:28 reminds us: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
The pain and sorrow I experienced growing up had a purpose. God knew the future. He allowed my struggles to shape me for this calling. As I read Romans 8:14-15, I was reminded that I must not fear but follow His Spirit: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
I am trusting His timing and leadership as I step forward in faith. Please pray with me as I seek to obey His call to shine His light into the darkness of the Middle East. May we go boldly, knowing that the same God who shined His light into our hearts will do the same for others (2 Corinthians 4:6). Thank you for your prayers and support as I pursue His will.