Empowering Seventh-Day Adventist Domestic Workers for Contextual Ministry in Restricted Access Gulf Contexts: A Missiological Study

Abstract

Abstract

The study examines how Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) domestic workers can be empowered for contextual ministry while working in selected Gulf contexts where public religious activity may be restricted or closely regulated. The article responds to two related realities – the growing importance of migrant domestic work in the Arab States and the need for Adventist mission to recognise ordinary workplaces as important locations of Christian presence. The work defines domestic work as a broad occupational category encompassing housekeeping, cooking, childcare, eldercare, driving, gardening, and related household services. It further defines contextual ministry as culturally informed, ethically responsible Christian presence and witness that communicate the gospel through character, service, relationships, and, where legally and relationally appropriate, verbal testimony. The article uses qualitative material from the original research, in which 12 domestic workers, 6 SDAs, and 6 non-Adventists from African and Asian backgrounds were interviewed via phone calls and an online platform. The major themes identified from the reported findings were cultural and religious constraints, contextual adaptation, and witnessing through conduct and service. Based on these findings and relevant missiological and labour literature, the article proposes an empowerment framework built around spiritual formation, support, digital connectivity, and accountable church accompaniment. Further, the study argues that domestic workers should not be treated mainly as instruments of evangelism but as workers and disciples whose dignity, safety, freedom, and vocational competence are themselves part of Christian mission. Contextual ministry becomes credible when it respects both the worker and the household, avoids manipulation and deception, remains faithful to Scripture, and engages the host culture with humility.