In January, Professor Bruce Ware of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS), Louisville, completed a visit to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He was accompanied by his colleague, Tom Schreiner, and their time there involved teaching and preaching in two sister evangelical churches in the city. The combined attendance of these two churches for their Friday worship services is roughly 1,700, with people from approximately 50 nationalities attending.
We are not able to name these two large evangelical churches in Dubai due to the political sensitivities of the situation.
However, they work closely together and one of the churches was planted only five years ago. Now nearly 1,000 attend, of whom 350 are members. The Bible is preached exposi-tionally, the gospel is proclaimed with clarity and conviction, and Christ is declared as the Sovereign Lord and saviour of all the earth. It is hard to overstate what a strategic position these churches have, in this location of the world. Bruce Ware told en: ‘At one point, I could hardly hold back tears as our congregation sang with passion “Jesus Shall Reign”’.
Due to the cosmopolitan nature of Dubai, the government is very agreeable to having churches of all kinds here, as well as houses of worship for other religions. This has made it possible for these solid, gospel-centered, evangelical churches also to have a presence where they can proclaim the Scriptures without compromise.
Increasing numbers
What has been surprising and delightful is just how many people in Dubai have been attracted to these churches. The numbers of those attending continues to increase. Other churches have been planted in neighbouring areas, and there are plans for even more evangelical churches to be planted in Dubai itself.
What may be even more of a surprise to some is that both of these churches are solidly Reformed in their theology. Through the preaching of God’s Word, emphasis on strong theology, and winsome evangelism, many are coming to Christ, and many others are being strengthened in their faith to bring the message of the gospel to people in their own home lands. One could not have imagined just a few years back that such a work would today be taking place, in reaching many Arab nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Strong conference
These churches are vulnerable, of course. The government could change their policy at any time. But as things are now, and have been for several years, gospel witness and Bible exposition is as strongly present in Dubai as anywhere in the world. Concerning the time he and Tom spent there, Bruce Ware said: ‘I taught a Theology I course to 60 students and preached several times. Tom Schreiner and I did two conferences together. The main one drew 600 people and included topics like predestination, the glory of God, and the Trinity. One notable sermon I delivered, given the Muslim context, was ‘Beholding the Glory of the Trinity’ from Ephesians 1.1-14. ‘Praise be to God for this immeasurable gift of grace.’
