MISSIONS IN

United Arab Emirates

God is moving in United Arab Emirates

The State of Missions in United Arab Emirates

For the church in United Arab Emirates, the defining missions context is a wealthy Gulf federation with enormous expatriate communities, permitted church compounds, and tight limits on evangelism among citizens. 31 unreached people groups remain, representing about 7,916,700 people; South Asian, general is the largest listed community. Practical service often intersects with migrant workers with unequal labor protections.

  • 11M POPULATION
  • 12.7% CHRISTIANS
  • 93.8% LITERACY
  • 31 UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
  • South Asian general LARGEST UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP
  • 7.9M UNREACHED POPULATION
  • Abu Dhabi CAPITAL CITY
  • Dubai Abu Dhabi Sharjah LARGEST CITIES
  • United Arab Emirates Dirham CURRENCY
  • Hot desert climate, with hot humid summers, mild winters, little rainfall, and frequent dusty conditions. CLIMATE
  • Arabic English PRIMARY LANGUAGES
  • Hinduism LARGEST UNREACHED RELIGION

Explore United Arab Emirates

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God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

Around the world, God is moving through ordinary people who pray, give, go, and serve. Hold the Rope helps you discover the stories—and find your place in them. Read More

Explore by Category

Bible Translation Among global expatriates while respecting, churches in United Arab Emirates need Arabic Scripture joined to patient.
Church Planting Church planting in United Arab Emirates should prepare leaders who understand global expatriates while respecting.
Disaster Relief Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Education Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Gospel Access Among United Arab Emirates's 31 UPGs, South Asian, general is largest.
Human Trafficking Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Medical Missions Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Orphans & Vulnerable Children Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Persecuted Church United Arab Emirates's believers need courage and wisdom where churches worship openly in designated settings.
Poverty & Justice In United Arab Emirates, poverty ministry should strengthen migrant workers with unequal labor rather than create.
Unreached People Groups Millions still have little or no access to the gospel in their language and culture.

Active Projects across United Arab Emirates

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A History of God's Faithfulness in United Arab Emirates

Modern evangelical presence in the UAE grew through expatriate workers and established church compounds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other emirates; most ministry remains oriented toward migrant communities. The movement’s lasting strength has come as national pastors and believers assumed greater responsibility for ministry. That history matters because today’s churches must serve global expatriates while respecting restrictions on outreach to Emirati Muslims with greater local ownership.

  1. Early Beginnings

    Modern evangelical presence in the UAE grew through expatriate workers and established church compounds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other emirates.

  2. 1900s

    most ministry remains oriented toward migrant communities.

  3. Independence Era

    In United Arab Emirates, leadership now has to emerge from a church shaped by a wealthy Gulf federation with enormous expatriate communities, permitted church compounds, and tight limits on evangelism among citizens; national pastors and lay believers are best positioned to disciple global expatriates while respecting restrictions on outreach to Emirati Muslims.

  4. Modern Movement

    Contemporary ministry in United Arab Emirates now intersects with migrant workers with unequal labor protections and low-wage migrant labor communities. Churches also need practical readiness for extreme heat, flash floods, and water stress.

  5. Today

    About 7,916,700 people remain unreached in United Arab Emirates; ministry among South Asian, general now unfolds alongside extreme heat, flash floods, and water stress and churches worship openly in designated settings, but public proselytizing of Muslims is restricted.

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