Middle East and Europe
Jesus was a Middle Easterner, as were the first Christian missionaries—James, Peter, Paul, Mark, and Thomas among them. Our Christian faith ties us to the Middle East, where Christ was born; and to Europe, to which Christianity spread and underwent historic reform. As North American churches in the Reformed tradition, our faith heritage—and for many, our family roots—are grounded in the Middle East and Europe.
Global Ministries is part of this rich Christian heritage, steeped in UCC and Disciples missionary history of more than two centuries. The first Congregational missionaries to the Middle East left for Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey), Beirut, and Jerusalem in 1819; the first Disciples missionary went to Jerusalem in 1849. They found living and witnessing Christian communities there, even as they discovered great ecumenical and interfaith diversity.
Today, our Middle Eastern and European partners offer important witness in contexts of diverse religious traditions—and of changing religious landscapes. We are blessed to accompany many churches, faith-based organizations, and institutions in the Middle East and Europe as they strive to:
- Support human rights and promote human dignity;
- Advocate for justice and peace in contexts of conflict; engage in interfaith dialogue;
- Respond to the needs of people impacted by emergencies, including natural disasters and war;
- Promote community and economic development;
- Provide opportunities for education—from primary schools through seminaries and universities;
- Witness to their faith even in challenging contexts.
Resources: Books, Advocacy Resources, and Videos from the Middle East and Europe office
General Synod/Assembly Resolutions Related to the Middle East
Interfaith Relations Resources
The Disciples and UCC address the crisis in the Middle East
Middle East and Europe News
Following a shipwreck near Lampedusa, Mediterranean Hope’s coordinator states, “Without legal channels, more lives will be lost”
[The following article was originally posted by the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy…
Read MoreGlobal Ministries is Saddened to Learn of the Death of Rev. Kenneth Robert Ziebell
The Rev. Kenneth R. Ziebell passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Ken was born on August…
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B’Tselem: Palestinian activist Awdah al-Hathaleen filmed settler Yinon Levi shooting him
In video footage obtained by B’Tselem, filmed by al-Hathaleen himself, Levi is seen shooting at…
Read MoreMission Stories
A Place to Call Home
Written by: Margaret Kofron, a Global Missions Intern with the Middle East & Europe…
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The House of Many Cultures
Written by: Margaret Kofron, a Global Missions Intern with the Middle East & Europe…
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“I’m doing the best I can with what I have.”
Margaret Emma Perry serves with the Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH). “I’m doing the best…
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