Who we are?
For over one hundred years groups of people spanning the globe, from the United States to the Middle East have been praying that the Lord would raise up a Gospel movement of nationals in the Middle East, so that millions across this historically significant region might become passionate followers of Jesus. Their vision was to see local leaders equipped to fulfill the Great Commission from within some of the most spiritually closed regions on earth. By the early 2000s, less than 2.5 percent of people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) identified as Christians (non-Muslims), and projections warned that number would only decline. The need was urgent. But any lasting movement would have to come from within—a national movement led by national leaders who would make disciples through obedience to the Gospel and share the hope of Christ across their communities.
Our history is an answer from the Lord to those prayers. In 2005 a small group of indigenous disciple-makers formed the Near East Organization (NEO), named for the original geographic focus: Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. Beginning in 2008, NEO has embraced a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) model, a simple, reproducible approach inviting people to encounter God’s Word, apply it personally, serve others, and immediately share the Good News with them. This approach has proven effective when traditional church planting is difficult or impossible.
What began as a regional effort has grown into a Gospel movement now spanning 28 countries. As of December 2024, NEO Leaders supports 60,161 active DBS groups, reaching 902,415 people weekly—many of whom are encountering the message of Jesus for the very first time. We serve all segments of society with a special focus on refugees, people with different disabilities, abused and traumatized women, youth and children. As our mission expanded, so did our name—today, we are NEO Leaders, committed to seeing the name of Christ proclaimed and His Kingdom embodied across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.
Vision
To see the name of Christ proclaimed among the nations so that the Kingdom of God is embodied and expressed.
Mission
Discipling passionate men and women of God from every segment of society to love and obey God, serve others, and multiply.
Where we work
• Armenia
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Chad
• Cyprus
• Croatia
• Egypt
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Macedonia
• Mauritania
• Montenegro
• Oman
• Poland
• Qatar
• Serbia
• Sudan
• Sweden
• Syria
• Turkey
• The Netherlands
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen
Strategic priorities
We foster trust, embrace cultural differences, and rely on the Spirit to work beyond strategies or denominations.
NEO equips disciples to disciple others, creating a sustainable Gospel movement that grows with every generation.
We empower local leaders to disciple and support their own communities for authentic, lasting impact.
Through tangible acts of service, called “access ministry,” we bring Christ’s love to communities in practical and transformative ways.
210 Full-time staff working in 28 countries
Volunteers
Active DBS Groups
New groups started this year
Leaders trained
New people served in DBS Groups this year
What we believe
The Bible, all the books of the Old and New Testament, is Holy Scripture, the inspired Word of God, infallible and inerrant in the original writings. It is fully authoritative and our only absolutely trustworthy guide for faith and life.
God exists and has revealed himself to mankind. The Bible is a special expression of this revelation. This revelation also finds its ultimate expression in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God is spirit and eternally exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, indivisible and of one substance.
Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, preexistent with the Father, God of very God. He is the eternal Word become flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He was crucified, suffered, bled, and died. He was buried and three days later rose from the grave victorious over death and the powers of darkness. He ascended to the right hand of God the Father, where he is glorified as Lord of all. He is the only mediator between God and Mankind. He is the God-given atonement for the sins of the world, and there is salvation in him and him alone.
Human beings are accountable for their response to the forgiveness, pardon, and reconciliation offered them in the Lord Jesus Christ. When an individual trusts in him, the person is justified by God and adopted into his family. Failure to believe in him results in eternal separation from God.
The Church consists of all those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ. The primary purpose of the Church is to worship God and glorify him by building up believers and effectively reaching the world with the gospel of Christ.
The Holy Spirit convinces men and women of sin, effectually calls them, and is the divine agent by whom they are born into the Kingdom of God. He indwells, enlightens, and empowers believers to live in union with Christ.
We believe that mankind was created in the image of God; that men and women sinned, and thereby incurred, not only physical death, but also that Spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
Jesus Christ will return, raise the dead, judge all men and women, and establish his glorious Kingdom.
God’s will for believers is for them to exhibit transformed lives evidenced by purity, holiness, and growth in Christ-like character. He desires that they each participate according to their spiritual gifts in the task of effectively sharing the gospel message of salvation with those near and far who have yet to believe in Jesus.