The Salvation Army in the Middle East began with meetings held by expatriate Salvationists from South Asia who had moved to the Gulf coast countries for employment.
After years of independent effort by local leaders, requests for official recognition were sent to International Headquarters. In August 2008 General Shaw Clifton appointed the first officers to Kuwait.
Expansion continued from 2010 onward into neighboring countries, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman, and became a region officially on April 1, 2011. It now includes the countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The region has active congregations in four countries, communicating the gospel in innovative ways. The gospel is preached in English, Malayalam and Tamil.
As of November 1, 2023, Central Territory officers Majors AmyJo and Paul Ferguson assumed appointments as assistant regional leaders of the Middle East Region.
Major AmyJo is assistant regional leader for mission and ministry with the additional appointments as corps officer in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with oversight of Oman and regional modern-day slavery and human trafficking response contact person.
Major Paul is assistant regional leader, regional secretary for the region, with the additional appointment of corps officer in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with oversight of Oman.
Please keep the Fergusons and this vital work in your prayers.
*Information from the 2023 International Year Book
