The Arabian Gulf has witnessed vast modernisation – going from a nomadic, desert dwelling lifestyle to high-rise apartments in just 100 years. The region has vast wealth due to its large oil reserves and is now investing in new industries such as tech, green energy and tourism. It is the centre of Islam with the two Holy cities Mecca and Medina being in Saudi Arabia.
However, the shimmering skylines of the Gulf region often obscure the deep-seated cultural and spiritual realities faced by its women. Within the wealthy homes, many women grapple with isolation, limited access to education and spiritual hunger. While the region is known for its religious conservatism, a growing number of women seek a deeper understanding of faith and a connection beyond the confines of tradition. This yearning creates a unique and significant need for sharing the gospel.
Gulf women face a complex web of challenges. Societal expectations often restrict their mobility and access to resources, including religious education. Traditional gender roles can lead to isolation as women require a male relative’s consent to travel. Openly expressing spiritual doubts or exploring alternative faiths can carry significant consequences such as beatings and even murder. Moreover, the cultural and linguistic nuances within the Gulf region demand a sensitive approach to sharing the gospel.
In this challenging landscape, Desert Roses, one of our social media ministries, is a vital bridge, reaching women in ways that traditional methods cannot. Our Instagram and Facebook presence, often used discretely, provides a safe space for Gulf women to explore their spiritual questions and engage with Christian content.
The ministry is run by Middle Eastern women who are from a non-Christian background and have faced persecution for their new faith. As these women are uniquely placed to share the gospel with other women from their background, we have trained them in how to run a media ministry.
Our Gulf women’s ministry offers
• Anonymity and Safety: Our Desert Roses social media pages allow women to connect with our team without revealing their identities, providing some level of safety.
• Accessible Resources: Online resources, including video testimonies, Bible studies and devotional materials, are readily available in Arabic and other languages.
• Personalised Interaction: Our Desert Roses team has one-on-one conversations with women via private message, allowing women to ask questions and receive real life support.
• Community Building: Social media pages and online discipleship meetings create a sense of community, connecting women who are persecuted or feel lonely on this journey.
• Culturally Sensitive Content: Our team carefully creates content that respects sensitivities while presenting the gospel message in a clear and relevant way.
The Desert Roses ministry is playing a crucial role in breaking down barriers and providing access to the gospel. This project also fills a gap in social media content reaching women in the Gulf which, as far as we know, no other ministry is doing.
However, the work is not without its challenges. The digital landscape is constantly evolving, requiring continuous adaptation and innovation. Maintaining anonymity and security for our teams is vital, as is ensuring the authenticity and relevance of the content. Building trust and fostering genuine relationships requires patience, sensitivity and a deep understanding of the cultural context.
Prayer Requests for the Ministry Team
- Wisdom and discernment – To navigate the complex cultural and religious context.
- Protection – Safety from online threats and for the people who connect with us.
- Creative media and clear communication – To share the message in a way that really speaks to people.
- Open hearts – That the Holy Spirit will open the hearts of the women we are reaching.
- More resources – So the ministry can grow and help even more people.
- Strength and faith – For the team to keep going, even when things get tough and staff face persecution.
- New team members – For open doors and opportunities, as it’s difficult to find team members from the Gulf who have a heart for this ministry.