Courageous youth leaders in the Middle East deeply desire to reach their friends and families in a militant religion. Boldly, but wisely, they proclaim Christ, even though that can lead to prison and death.
Today
In the very volatile and dangerous Middle East, young people openly engage with the gospel of Jesus despite potential persecution. Teenagers face the same life issues as all adolescents—but issues of self-worth and purpose are intensified because of their difficult circumstances. Futility sets in because they know that when they finish school very few will find jobs and if they do, they will get paid low wages. This leads to discouragement, depression, lawlessness, abuse, religious fanaticism and, for some, terrorism. Yet teenagers who know and follow Jesus desire to make their lives count. Through their witness, many Muslim young people are encountering Jesus. In this dangerous but ripe environment, Reach Out has a strong commitment to engage in ongoing training and support of courageous younger generation leaders.
Strong leaders lead Reach Out! They offer vigorous training in some very strategic countries in the Middle East.
Since 2005, Reach Out has equipped younger generation leaders and translated resources in several Middle East countries.
Going Forward
Due to the sensitive nature of this ministry, specific plans are not made public.
Reach Out’s History in the Middle East
2016-2017 Conducted Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry (JFYM) trainings in Turkey, brought in and trained 24 young leaders from four cities in Iran, engaged 20-30 younger leaders from Turkey in trainings, continued to translate and print resources, and coached emerging leaders in JFYM.
2015 Reach Out’s team in the Middle East conducted JFYM trainings in the United Arab Emirates for Iranian and UAE younger generation leaders. Five resources were translated and produced in Farsi to enhance the application of the training: JFYM Notebook, JFYM PowerPoint, Getting Started, Following Jesus, and "Accountability Questions."
2012-2014 Due to the chaos in the region, we paused to assess the new political/religious paradigm. As a result, we shifted our plans to address the current situation and created a robust strategic plan for 2015.
2011 Reach Out selected 5 youth leaders from a very closed country and 15 Armenian youth leaders who attended the training in 2010 and equipped them in how to introduce, implement and multiply JFYM in their countries. They will become our future leaders in those countries.
2010 Reach Out conducted a week of JFYM training for 60 youth leaders from one region of the Middle East. The JFYM notebook and PowerPoint presentation were translated, produced, and distributed into Farsi and Armenian.
2008-2009 190 more youth leaders received training in JFYM.
2006 JFYM strategy was introduced to 70 hand-selected youth leaders by the USA Team. 11 JFYM leadership and discipleship resources were translated, produced, and distributed in Arabic.
2005 Reach Out’s USA Team introduced 55 youth leaders to the JFYM strategy. The JFYM notebook was translated, produced, and distributed in Arabic.