The Rev Dr Arthur Brown has been appointed to the role of Regional Leader for BMS World Mission, taking over from Philip Halliday in the Europe, Middle East and North Africa region. His term in this new role will start on Monday 18th September.

Arthur has been working at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut since moving to Lebanon in 2005. Alongside teaching in the areas of youth ministry, practical theology, church and community, and Islam, he has been more involved in recent years within the Institute of Middle East Studies. This has meant working as part of a team leading the annual Middle East Consultation, the inter-faith youth initiative called khebz w meleh [bread & salt] that brings together Muslim and Christian young people to explore faith, and supporting the general leadership of the Institute.

The Regional Leader role will relocate Arthur to BMS’s Head Office in Didcot, UK. He and his family will remain in Lebanon until July 2018, conducting the role from there until then.

Arthur has been married to Louise for 18 years, and they have four children: Jessica [14], Naomi [13], Jack [8] and Jonathan [4].

Arthur expressed his own gratitude to Philip Halliday for his outstanding service as Regional Leader over many years: “As far as I am concerned, BMS is second to none in their commitment to their partners and personnel around the world. Philip has always been so supportive of my family and me and has already assured me that he will always be available to offer support and guidance as I develop in this role. I fully intend to take him up on this generous offer.”

EBF General Secretary Tony Peck commented on the appointment: “We were very pleased to learn that Arthur Brown will succeed Philip Halliday as Euro-MENA Team Leader. We have got to know him and the excellent work he has done in Lebanon. So now we are looking forward to working with Arthur across the whole region. We hugely value the genuine sense of partnership in the Gospel that we have enjoyed with BMS World Mission over many years.”