Against a backdrop of missile attacks, an outbreak of war, and a flurry of shelter-in-place alarms, a remarkable Gospel movement arose among Middle East Christians in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai.

On February 25-28, Movement.org convened over 350 leaders for Scholars training, national strategy sessions, and Impact Day (Movement Day) Middle East. The conflict in Iran, just 80 miles from Dubai, started on Saturday morning as Impact Day was underway.

A PLEDGE TOWARD UNITY

“God is at work here,” said Mac Pier, founder of Movement.org. “Leaders across the Middle East have strengthened relationships and pledged toward greater unity while the region spirals in chaos.”

The 2026 gathering in Dubai marked the eighth consecutive year that Movement.org has hosted Movement Day in the region. This year, our teams from the United States, the Middle East, and Asia equipped leaders from nine Middle East countries to bring spiritual and social transformation to their cities.

“It was an extraordinary several days here in Dubai,” said Mac. “It feels like we are living in a world-historic moment. We hosted many of the great spiritual leaders of the Middle East.”

Because of travel restrictions following the outbreak of missile attacks in the city, Mac Pier and Movement.org Board Chair Bob Doll, along with about 100 city leaders who attended the Movement Day events in Dubai, had to spend several extra days at the host hotel. That time together bonded the group even tighter as they met for prayer in the morning and evening.

“Over the last week, there have been hundreds of missiles sent toward the UAE. It has reminded me of the early church, which was meeting in the context of being a minority religion against the backdrop of the Roman government,” Mac said. “And the church actually grew and thrived because believers were so dependent on God and dependent on one another. We have had that same sense here. There is a really strong sense of community.”

EQUIPPING MIDDLE EAST LEADERS

On February 25–26, Movement Day Scholars Training was conducted in Arabic and English for 130 leaders from nine nations: Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE. The sessions were led by leaders from across the region and globe, including Movement.org board members Bob Doll, Rev. Gabrielle Beam, and Annie McCune, along with Josh Miles (Managing Director), Ilona Nagy (Global Ministries Coordinator), and Mac Pier.

The next day, each of the nine groups met as national teams to begin their decadal (10-year) planning. Lebanon has had three Movement Day Expressions. Jordan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia are scheduled to start this year. Egypt will begin by 2027.

Dr. Andreas Zaki, President of the Protestant Churches of Egypt, was named chair of Movement Day Egypt.

“This Middle East community could double in size by our 2027 conference in Dubai,” Mac Pier said.

Sona Kazanjian, Middle East Regional Director for Movement.org, said the time in Dubai was transformational.

“It was amazing to speak in Arabic, sing in Arabic, pray in Arabic, and have a very structured program built around the Middle East. The Scholars will go back home encouraged, knowing they have a mission to fulfill in their cities, and knowing they are not alone. They are partnering with God and with us. I’m believing God for big dreams.”

Impact Day Middle East was held on Saturday (February 28) for 356 leaders who prayed, worshipped, and collaborated around tables. The program was led by Dubai leaders who presented themes on family, marketplace and AI. Mac Pier and Bob Doll shared the history of Movement Day and its impact in New York City

“The New York story is inspiring leaders to dream big dreams for their cities,” Mac said.

THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIANITY 

Bob Doll was impressed with the enthusiasm for the gospel among the leaders who were gathered.

“The Middle East is where it all began and, as the book of Revelation tells us, where it will culminate,” he said. “There is a deep need for the gospel here, and Christianity is growing. I would love to see the Middle East become a pioneer and leader in global Christianity.”

“This moment could be a demarcation point in history.”

The significance of the moment was also noted by Mac Pier who talked about the resilience and determination of the Christian leadership here and their ability to endure under many trials and hardships.

“What’s really special about being here in the Middle East is an awareness of how much the church is suffering in this region of the world,” he said.

“We are at a historic juncture similar to 9/11 in New York City. Just as Movement Day grew out of the ashes of 9/11 as the result of profound collaboration, I believe we are entering into a new season in the Middle East.”

What God is doing in the Middle East is a reminder that movements grow when believers stand together. We invite you to participate with us—PRAY for the leaders who are serving faithfully in their cities, ADVOCATE by sharing the vision with friends and inviting others to explore how they might become involved and INVEST in the work so that more leaders can be united and equipped. As we move forward together, we trust that God will use this faithfulness to multiply movements across the world. Click here to give.