Discipling Youth in the Middle East

by Kaitlynn Kopeski

What if you had the chance to share the Gospel with Muslim, Catholic and Druze students all at the same time? Would you do it?

This is how Michael*, a Bible teacher in the Middle East, explains his job at the high school. According to Michael, the student body is approximately 50% Muslim, 20% Druze, 20% Catholic and Orthodox, and 10% Evangelical.

Michael's class is required for his students, therefore, every day he has the opportunity not just to talk about Jesus, but live out the Gospel in front of the class and faculty. Michael shares the Gospel during class about three times each year, but his main focus is on building relationships. “The seed is constantly spread,” he said. “Now it needs watering.”

To build relationships Michael hosts Bible study groups with his students. Sometimes, Michael approaches students and asks them if they want to join the Bible study, but most often, students approach Michael with questions. “If you have questions, let's talk,” is Michael’s philosophy.

Before Michael moved to the Middle East, he worked as a youth pastor. His passion has always been for young people, but the youth in the Middle East pose different challenges than youth in the West. According to Michael, it takes Middle Eastern students a considerable amount of time to trust and open up, at least two years. Many teachers at the school stay only a year or two and then leave. Michael recently hit his two-year mark, but his plans are long-term.

Another challenge lies in the concept of group vs. private identity. The East identifies much more with a group identity, while the West is more individualistic, explains Michael. “It goes back to family identity,” Michael states. “If a kid wants to follow Christ I have to reach the father, the head of the family.”

Currently there are 20-25 students being discipled from the high school. Pray for Michael as he continues to nourish these relationships. Pray that the students will grow to trust him and that he will have opportunities to reach the fathers of these families. Pray for more educators who are believers, who have a love for teaching and for students.

*Name changed