Discover
The identity of the nation
Nestled on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, Lebanon is a small country with striking scenery: a narrow coastal strip rises quickly into the snow capped mountains of Mount Lebanon and descends, on the other side, into the fertile Bekaa Valley. Heir to the ancient Phoenicians, who spread their alphabet across the Mediterranean, today’s country brings together eighteen religious communities recognized by law, a rare mosaic living so closely together in the Middle East.
About a third of the population is Christian, one of the highest proportions in the region, making Lebanon a historic refuge for the Christian faith amid the Muslim world. The Maronite Church, the country’s largest Christian community and rooted in mountain monasteries since the earliest centuries of Christianity, coexists with Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical communities, alongside a Muslim majority divided between Sunnis and Shiites and the Druze community, whose faith blends elements of several ancient traditions.
Behind Beirut’s bustling cultural life, with its cafes, music and nightlife, the country has been going through one of the worst economic crises in its history since 2019, which has wiped out families’ savings and pushed much of the population into poverty. Added to this are the scars of a long civil war, the explosion that destroyed part of the capital’s port in 2020, and the constant fear of new conflicts in the region.
Despite everything, Lebanon remains a point of support for the church throughout the Middle East: Lebanese Christian families, churches and ministries welcome Syrian refugees and migrant workers from various parts of the world, many of them with no prior contact with the gospel. The emigration of young people and Christians worries those who want to see the country’s historic faith remain alive, but it also reveals a greater calling: to be a bridge of hope for the peoples who arrive in the country seeking refuge.
- The Phoenicians build city states such as Tyre, Sidon and Byblos and spread their alphabet across the Mediterranean.
- 64 BC The region becomes part of the Roman Empire; in the following centuries, Christianity puts down deep roots in the mountains of Lebanon.
- 7th century The Arab Muslim conquests bring Islam to the region, which comes to coexist with the already established Christian communities.
- 1516-1918 Ottoman Empire rule, a period in which Christian Mount Lebanon preserves much of its local autonomy.
- 1920 France creates Greater Lebanon under mandate, joining Christian majority Mount Lebanon to Muslim majority areas.
- 1943 Independence from France; an unwritten pact divides the main government posts among the religious communities.
- 1975-1990 A devastating civil war divides the country and leaves deep marks on society and the economy.
- 2005 A peaceful popular movement leads to the withdrawal of the Syrian troops occupying the territory.
- 2019-2021 Economic collapse and the explosion at the port of Beirut worsen the social crisis and accelerate emigration.
- Today The country seeks reconstruction amid political instability, a prolonged economic crisis and regional tensions.
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Arabicofficial language, spoken by the vast majority of the population
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Frencha legacy of the French mandate period, still used in commerce, education and official documents
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Englishcommon in business, tourism and among younger people
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Armenianspoken by the Armenian minority, descended from refugees who arrived in the country in the early 20th century
Lebanon is a small country on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, squeezed between the sea and the mountains. A narrow coastal strip gives way to the Mount Lebanon range, which rises above 3,000 meters and holds snow for much of the year. On the other side of these mountains lies the Bekaa Valley, a fertile agricultural region separated from Syria by a second mountain chain, the Anti-Lebanon. Within a few hours' drive it is possible to go from the beach to the snowy peaks and then to the fertile fields of the interior.
Major cities
- BeirutCapital and largest city, the country's financial, cultural and nightlife hub
- TripoliSecond largest city, in the north, known for one of the largest historic markets in the Middle East
- SidonAncient Phoenician city on the southern coast, an important fishing and trade hub
- TyreOne of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with Phoenician and Roman ruins by the sea
- ByblosA millennia old port, considered one of the oldest still inhabited cities in the world
- BaalbekA city in the Bekaa Valley, famous for its great Roman era temple ruins
- ZahleAgricultural and wine growing hub of the Bekaa Valley
Climate and temperature
Kibbeh
National dish: patties or a bake of cracked wheat (bulgur) with ground meat and spices.
Tabbouleh
Fresh salad of chopped parsley, tomato and mint with bulgur, seasoned with lemon and olive oil.
Manakish
Flatbread baked with olive oil and za'atar (a mix of thyme, sesame and sumac), common at breakfast.
Hummus
Creamy chickpea paste with tahini (sesame paste), lemon and garlic, served with pita bread.
Mezze
A spread of small dishes served together at the start of a meal, with salads, dips and stuffed leaves.
Baklava
A sweet made of layers of phyllo dough, nuts and honey or orange blossom syrup.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Warm hospitality
Welcoming visitors with abundant food is a source of pride and a central part of Lebanese culture.
Religious mosaic
Eighteen recognized religious communities live side by side, shaping neighborhoods, festivals and even the calendar.
Family as the foundation
Extended family ties and loyalty to relatives guide much of personal decision making.
Pride in heritage
The people value their millennia old history, from Phoenician civilization to Roman ruins and Ottoman and French architecture.
Social life around the table
Gatherings over coffee, narguile (flavored water pipe) and mezze are part of everyday social life.
Resilience in the face of crisis
Despite years of war and economic collapse, the people maintain creativity, humor and a will to rebuild.
- Speaking about politics or religion carelessly The balance between communities is delicate; careless comments can offend.
- Assuming every Lebanese is the same The country is plural: Christians, Muslims and Druze have distinct customs and views.
- Treating the economic crisis with pity or superiority The people value dignity and partnership, not charity handouts.
- Refusing food that is offered Turning down hospitality can come across as disrespectful; accepting at least a little is a sign of consideration.
- Ignoring the country's recent wounds War, the port explosion and the economic crisis have left their mark; sensitivity is important when touching on the subject.
- Comparing the country too much with its neighbors Lebanese people are proud of their own identity, distinct from Syria or other Arab neighbors.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
The political system divides posts and power by religion, deepening rivalries instead of uniting the nation.
Years of civil war left marks of distrust, fear and resentment among families and communities.
Amid the crisis, flaunting status and success still weighs heavily on social relationships, especially in Beirut.
For many, the Christian faith is a family and community inheritance, more than a living, personal relationship with God.
Divination practices and protective amulets still circulate beneath the surface of declared religiosity.
Decades of conflict and crises leave a constant fear of a new war, undermining many people's hope.
Distrust of public institutions fuels disbelief that real change is possible.
The youngest and most capable leave the country in search of a future, emptying leadership in the church and society.
Invisible barriers between neighborhoods and villages of different religions hinder coexistence and witness.
Movements seeking to impose strict religious rules put pressure on public space and the freedom of other communities.
Christians in Lebanon enjoy a freedom of worship uncommon in the Middle East: they can gather, publish religious material and even hold public offices reserved by law for their communities. For many believers in the region, the country remains a rare refuge where practicing the faith openly is still possible.
This freedom, however, coexists with real pressures. In areas where the armed group Hezbollah has strong influence, Christian families report difficulty securing public jobs and feel the weight of political decisions made without regard for their interests. Christian communities located near Muslim majority neighborhoods sometimes face hostility, and Christian initiatives supporting Syrian refugees have already faced resistance.
The biggest challenge, however, is a silent one: the economic crisis, political instability and fear of new conflicts push thousands of Christians out of the country every year. This emigration reduces the historic presence of the Christian faith in the region and weakens churches that were once numerous and influential.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Lebanon brings together 26 different ethnic groups, a reflection of centuries of trade routes, invasions and waves of refugees that have passed through the territory. Nearly half of these groups are still considered unreached by the gospel, including the Muslim Lebanese Arab majority and the large population of Syrian refugees now living in the country. Alongside them, historic Christian communities such as Armenians, Assyrians and Chaldeans keep an ancient faith alive, while migrant workers from countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Ethiopia form groups with practically no contact with local churches.
- 3M Unreached 51,7%
- 1M Minimally reached 17,8%
- 1.5M Superficially reached 25,7%
- 259K Partially reached 4,5%
- 18K Significantly reached 0,3%
- 12 Unreached 46,2%
- 3 Minimally reached 11,5%
- 9 Superficially reached 34,6%
- 1 Partially reached 3,8%
- 1 Significantly reached 3,8%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Sudanese Arab Frontier
Bengali Muslim
Druso
Árabe Egípcio Muçulmano
Alawites Frontier
Eastern Egyptian Bedawi Bedouin Frontier
Kurmanji Kurds Frontier
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
years of currency crisis have made prices volatile, though cheap in dollars
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Bring cash dollars: the local currency has lost much of its value and many prices are quoted directly in dollars.
- Learn a few words of Arabic: French and English are very helpful, but a greeting in Arabic opens doors.
- Expect power cuts: blackouts are frequent; many buildings rely on private generators.
- Accept invitations to eat: turning down hospitality tends to come across as an insult.
- Stay tuned to local news: the political and security situation can change quickly in certain regions.
- Respect the customs of each neighborhood: dress and behavior vary considerably between Christian, Muslim and Druze areas.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.