By Gigi Kotze
01/05/2025
Egypt, located in the northeastern corner of Africa, is famous for its majestic pyramids, the flowing Nile, sweeping deserts, and stands as a nation rich in both history and heart. With a population of over 114 million, Egypt is not only one of the most populous nations in the region but also one of the most influential — positioning it as a true Hotspot nation in today’s global and spiritual landscape.
Egypt’s Journey Through Power, Culture, and Change
Egypt was part of the Roman Republic and Empire, and then became part of the Byzantine Empire after Rome fell. It remained under Byzantine control until it was conquered by Arab Muslim armies between 639 and 642 CE. Before the Muslim conquest, rural Egypt preserved many traditional ways of life. Throughout its history, Egypt has been an important part of the wider Islamic world. Although Egypt was often ruled by foreign groups—such as Arabs, Kurds, Circassians, or Turks—the country’s culture has remained mainly Arab. Over time, Egypt became a key intellectual and cultural centre in the Arab and Islamic world, especially after the Mongols destroyed Baghdad and ended the Abbasid caliphate in the mid-13th century. Egypt’s location has always made it a key point for trade between Africa, Europe, and Asia. In 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal, which links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, made this even more important. Egypt’s position as a trade hub between Africa, Europe, and Asia reflects how God uses nations and geography to fulfil His purposes, providing a pathway for the spread of the Gospel and the movement of His people — it is not only a bridge between continents, but a strategic spiritual gateway for the spread of the Gospel.
Egypt’s political system has long been controlled with little space for opposition. This led to widespread frustration, which resulted in mass protests in 2011. A decade has passed since the Arab Spring, and although some changes have taken place, much of what protesters hoped for has not happened. The unrest led to President Hosni Mubarak stepping down, and the military took control of the country. In 2012, power was given to an elected government, and a new constitution was adopted. However, a year later, the military removed the newly elected president, Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, after huge public demonstrations against his rule. In 2014, former army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi won the presidential elections and has served as the president ever since. In 2015, the Islamic State launched a wave of attacks in North Sinai, and in 2017, a state of emergency was declared following suicide bombings at two churches on Palm Sunday. According to Open Doors, President el-Sisi has publicly spoken positively about Christians and has made efforts to promote unity, though local authorities often fail to protect Christians from ongoing attacks and violence.
A Beacon of Christian Resilience and a Gateway to the Arab World
Egypt holds a cherished place in the history of the early Church. It was among the first nations to embrace the Gospel, with the Apostle Mark believed to have brought Christianity to Alexandria around AD 42. The Egyptian Church became a hub of theological thought, producing influential church fathers like Athanasius, who defended the divinity of Christ, and Anthony the Great, a pioneer of monasticism. Despite centuries of persecution, faith endured, with the Church standing today as a powerful testament to resilience. One of our friends in the region shared that, “This heritage comes with great privilege, advantage, and responsibility.”
For over a thousand years, Egypt was a majority Christian nation, and a strong Christian presence remains today. Nearly half of all Christians in the Arab world are found in Egypt, with the Church primarily composed of Coptic and Evangelical believers. While Christians make up 13.29% of the population, Evangelicals account for 4.50%. Of the 43 people groups, 26 remain unreached, with 86% of the population adhering to Islam.
Whatever happens in Egypt has a ripple effect on the regional Body of Christ, making it a strategic gateway to the Arab world. Egyptian believers are uniquely positioned to spread the Gospel throughout the region, due to a shared language and culture, and there is growing momentum within the Egyptian Church to seize this opportunity.
One of our friends shared with us that, “What gives me hope is seeing how God is stirring both within and through the Egyptian Church in ways that are unprecedented. Despite significant obstacles, there is a growing missional vision among believers—especially in the post–Arab Spring era.” He also shared that both Protestant and Orthodox churches are gradually shifting from an inward focus to an outward, global calling. A growing conviction—especially among younger generations—sees Egypt not only as a mission field but also a mission force. Young Egyptians are stepping up with a passion to reach the unreached, and though still in its early stages, a homegrown mission movement is taking root, sending Egyptians both locally and beyond.
I asked our friends if there was still a place for Western missionaries to come to Egypt. All of them responded with a resounding “Yes, absolutely!” One friend specified, “Western missionaries are still needed, but the posture must shift from pioneering to partnering. Missionaries who come with humility, cultural sensitivity, and a learner’s heart…”
Another shared, “The real question is: what kind or type of foreign workers are needed?” He went on to say, if someone comes thinking they know it all, pushing their own agenda and expecting to teach others how things should be done, it simply won’t work. That approach leads to frustration, a short-lived stay, and little impact. What the Church and the country need are humble people—servants, not leaders—who come to stand alongside and support local and indigenous believers. Yes, they can teach and help, but with humility, cultural awareness, and a willingness to understand the context. Western methods don’t always fit their reality. What’s needed are people with humble hearts, genuine love, and a clear call—for this nation, for both Christians and Muslims. From that place, they can walk with the local Church—not above it, but beside it.
Egypt ranks 40th on the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted Christians. According to the organisation, Christians often face discrimination, particularly in Upper Egypt, where radical Islamist groups are active. Additionally, converts from Islam face severe pressure from their families and are often detained or intimidated by security services, making it difficult to live openly as Christians. A friend who used to work in this region shared, “It saddens my heart when people are killed for converting and that it is still considered okay, an honour killing.”
A Political Powerhouse
Egypt plays a pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability, frequently serving as a mediator in conflicts and a central figure in major peace initiatives. Its leadership within the Arab League, alongside strong ties with global powers, underscores its significance in both regional and international affairs. Egypt has contributed meaningfully to peace efforts, most notably in the Camp David Accords of 1979, and continues to engage in resolving challenges in neighbouring nations such as Libya and Sudan. Its strategic partnerships with Western nations, as well as its influence within the African Union, position Egypt as a key voice in shaping the political direction of the Middle East and beyond.
This political and cultural influence carries deep significance for the Church, both locally and globally. Encouragingly, recent developments have brought renewed hope. In 2015, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became the first Muslim president to attend a Christmas service, a historic gesture of solidarity. In 2017, he also met with Evangelical leaders from the United States to discuss the persecution of Christians—another first. These steps, alongside wider political reforms, have sparked hope that positive change in Egypt may extend to other nations aligned with the Arab League, offering renewed possibilities for the Church across the region.
One of our friends shared that a Church Construction law was put in place in 2016 and further commented that it was “a long-overdue reform aimed at easing restrictions on church construction which helped address decades of bureaucratic and social barriers. This has allowed some churches to expand and operate more freely. Since 2018, large-scale terrorist attacks targeting Christians have decreased significantly, contributing to a greater sense of safety and stability for many Christian communities.” He also shared that, “Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain—particularly in marginalised and rural areas. Many churches continue to face delays in obtaining building licenses, and the implementation of the church construction law remains inconsistent. Social discrimination and local resistance often complicate efforts to expand or operate ministries (he knows this from personal experience, having had to wait years for multiple permissions to be approved). While there’s been progress in terms of public support and security, systemic and local-level issues continue to limit the full expression of religious freedom and restrict the Church’s ability to respond to community needs.”
Our friend reminded us that the points they have shared don’t represent a general consensus. Egypt is diverse—geographically, socially, and theologically—and churches face different realities depending on their context. A rural church in Upper Egypt is not the same as a city church in Cairo. Some are engaging in global and local missions, while others are still navigating what it means to be faithful in their setting. Context, resources, leadership, and training all shape a church’s outlook. So, these observations should be viewed with that in mind.
Blessed Be Egypt My People
During one of my visits to Egypt, the believers we met often shared this powerful scripture: “The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.’” (Isaiah 19:25, NIV). This declaration reminds us of God’s heart for Egypt—that He calls them His people and has woven them into His redemptive purposes for the nations. As the global Body of Christ, we can therefore partner with God in His mission and plan for Egypt.
I also asked our friends, “How can the global Body of Christ better support the local Church in Egypt?” These were some of their responses: There are many ways to stand with the Church in Egypt. First and foremost, pray—consistently and intentionally—for bold witness, wise leadership, and workers to be raised up from within. Prayer is foundational; Jesus taught his disciples to pray before sending them (Matthew 9–10). Partnership is also key: honour local leadership, listen well, and join in with what God is already doing in Egypt. Invest in capacity building through theological education, Arabic discipleship resources, digital content, leadership training, and local missiological research. Short-term visits, approached with humility, can bring great encouragement—go to serve, listen, and learn. Raise awareness by sharing their stories and helping others understand the opportunities and challenges they face. Finally, support locally led missions—Egyptians are being called to disciple nations, both within Egypt, across Africa, and among diaspora communities worldwide.
Though the Church in Egypt has faced pressure and persecution, God has been shaping His people like diamonds—strong, radiant, and steadfast. At INcontext, we are privileged to walk alongside many ministries and believers in Egypt. If you feel led to be part of what God is doing in this strategic nation, we warmly invite you to connect with us. Let us continue to intercede for Egypt—its leadership, its Church, and its divine role in reaching the nations with the Good News about Jesus.
Please join us in prayer:
- Pray for strength, courage, and protection for the Church in Egypt, so that believers remain steadfast in their faith despite ongoing pressure and persecution.
- Pray that Egypt’s influence in the region opens new doors for the Gospel to spread throughout the Arab world, particularly among unreached people groups, and that Egyptian believers become bold witnesses of Christ.
- Pray for the Church to embrace its call to send, and that Egypt rises as a missional nation to the unreached. Ask God to unify His Church across denominations, to raise humble and Spirit-led leaders, and to embolden witness and discipleship.
- Pray that Egypt’s political leaders are guided by wisdom, align themselves with God’s purposes for the nation, and defend justice, religious freedom, and the protection of vulnerable Christian communities.
- Pray that the people of Egypt develop a deep dissatisfaction with Islam and are drawn to the truth and love found in Jesus Christ.
Resources:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Egypt/Plant-and-animal-life
https://operationworld.org/locations/egypt/
https://www.opendoors.org.za/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/egypt/
https://www.opendoors.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/40-Egypt-Media-Advocacy-Dossier-ODI-2025.pdf
https://joshuaproject.net/countries/eg
https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/the+egyptian+church/475989.html
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Anthony-of-Egypt
https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/egypts-changing-policy-in-libya-opportunities-and-challenges/
