Joseph of Arimathea’s call was that of ministering to the dead body of Jesus by removing the nails from the hands and feet of the crucified Christ. His actions in preparing the body for burial and later resurrection would be prophetic to the body of Christ, His church, in the Middle East during the end times. The persecuted church in the Middle East finds itself crucified. Yet, when people like Joseph of Arimathea aid in removing those nails, those obstacles, the great power of resurrection is released.

As you can read in the 4 gospels about the story of Joseph of Arimathea, he was described as an honorable counselor who waited for the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43), a rich man (Matthew 27:57), disciple of Jesus (John 19:38), and a member of the Council, and a good and righteous man (Luke 23:50). As soon as Joseph heard of Jesus’ death, he "took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus." Pilate, reassured by a centurion that the death had taken place, allowed Joseph's request. Joseph immediately purchased fine linen (Mark 15:46) and proceeded to Golgotha to take the body of Jesus down from the cross. There, assisted by Nicodemus who was a Pharisee, Joseph took the body and wrapped it in the fine linen and applied myrrh and aloes (these are substances which Nicodemus had brought, according to John 19:39).

We identify with this ministry and we are calling others to assist in the mission of ministering to the church in this part of the world by serving the dead body (the current status of the church in the Middle East) and carrying its burden until we see the power of resurrection and the dominion of the Church in the place of its birth, the Middle East.