A powerful story from Beirut highlighting the Hope Arising meetings at Arise Beirut, where lives were changed and new believers took steps of faith. Among them was 16-year-old Rumi*, whose search for meaning led him to discover Jesus and find a supportive community that helped him grow and commit his life to God.
This past spring, the Arise Beirut (center of worship and service to the community) welcomed a transformative series of meetings called Hope Arising. Organized by Adriano Bueno and his team, and led by John Bradshaw and the It Is Written ministry, the event opened a cycle of evangelism by introducing Jesus and inviting people to learn more.
The response was overwhelming with many attendees expressing deep interest in exploring further, requesting Bible studies and attending Sabbath worship services. Over the past several months, the Arise Beirut team has diligently nurtured these new relationships, providing personalized Bible studies, special programs, and regular community service initiatives to support spiritual growth and connection in addition to regular worship services every Sabbath.
This month marked the culmination of the evangelistic cycle, as John Bradshaw returned to Beirut to lead the concluding meetings. With great joy, the team celebrated four baptisms, and rejoiced with the 12 additional individuals preparing for baptism in the near future. Alongside these milestones, 35 Bible students continue their journey of faith, and 16 new requests for Bible studies have been received.
Among those baptized was Rumi*, a deep-thinking 16-year-old young man who, until a few years ago, knew nothing about Jesus. Rumi’s face radiated joy as he shared his testimony, recounting a period of emotional despair along with sleepless nights where he wrestled with the big questions of life.
Rumi began searching for religious content online and was captivated by what he heard about Jesus. On one particularly difficult night, he picked up his phone, opened the YouTube app, and clicked on a message that came up–right as the speaker was saying, “You need to give yourself to God.”
The words felt personal—as if God was speaking directly to him. He immediately got down on his knees and prayed, accepting Jesus into his heart. “I didn’t choose God,” he says. “God chose me.”
Not long after that, Rumi’s older brother saw a Facebook ad for the Spring Hope Arising meetings and the two of them attended. A while later, Rumi attended the Easter musical, Bow the Knee, where he connected with the Arise Beirut team and students from Middle East University (MEU) and requested Christian literature along with an English Bible.
Rumi joined the MEU church youth group and began Bible studies with one of the theology students who became his mentor, praying with him daily. Soon, he was participating in community service activities and helping to pass out literature with the youth group on Sabbath afternoon.
One Friday night vespers in April, when his mentor shared a powerful testimony about his own conversion, Rumi got up at the end and asked if he could share. “Of course,” his mentor encouraged him. For the next five minutes, Rumi gave a summary of the gospel as he’d come to understand it–powerful and real.
However, as sometimes happens on such a journey, Rumi disappeared for a period of time. Some said his parents had become angry about his spiritual pursuit while others suggested that he was dealing with typical teenage struggles. But everyone prayed and his mentor continued to reach out to him. Before long, Rumi was back and eager to deepen his commitment to Jesus.
Getting baptized was the next natural step for Rumi, who shared how Jesus—who “bled and died to save me”—had won his heart. Though he admits that following Jesus isn’t always easy, Rumi speaks with gratitude about the love that transformed his life. “Jesus became my best Friend and Savior,” he said. “He gave me a spiritual family and friends, and I want to share Him with others.”
*Not his real name
Let us pray: God of the harvest, we are amazed at how your Spirit is moving in hearts across MENA and, indeed, the whole world. Open our eyes and help us to recognize where you are working and to join you. Thank you to the group of people that surrounded Rumi and accompanied him faithfully on this journey. May he bear much fruit for you.