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ABTS
Learning from a Distance: the ABTS Online Program
In the current world of social distancing, we are more than ever called to be the salt and light to others around us. Starting April 8th, we at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) will begin to provide online classes for our current residential students so they can complete their training from the safety of their homes.
Family to Gather
Having been encouraged by a friend to attend, on Saturday, January 11th Rana set off for the Family to Gather event that was taking place at the ABTS Moore Conference Center that day. Hoping to find support in the midst of the political and economic crisis happening in Lebanon and keep her family strong despite all of the uncertainty and anxiety it produced, she brought her husband, nursery-aged son, and 8-year-old daughter along with her. What happened for her family there, however, was beyond what she could have hoped for.
When Tempted to Flee, Stand
Wave after wave of violence has threatened to extinguish the light of Christ in Iraq as the country has been vacated of over two thirds of its Christian population since the early 2000s. And yet, at least one pastor and his congregation can be highlighted as having stood firm in the face of the temptation to flee and chosen to shine as bright lights in the impending darkness.
Is There Hope?
After two weeks of mass demonstrations, road closures and a resigned Prime Minister, the fate of Lebanon hangs in the balance as the country faces the unknown.
BBS
BBS Students at Risk of Not Being Able to Finish Studies
This BBS has stepped up its scholarship program to help students affected by the economic crisis Lebanon is passing through. Meet some of BBS’s students who have benefitted from BBS’s tuition assisstance made possible by donors like you!
BBS Prayer Request
Recognizing ExcellenceThis year, the Beirut Baptist School obtained 3rd prize in a regional reading competition for the number of books read between March 22nd to April 23rd. Let’s hear it for our outstanding BBS students! Bravo!Please Pray for BBSThe Beirut Baptist School was preparing to slowly...
School Beyond Walls
Not always do we get to tangibly experience the impact of the investments made in a program so quickly. Adopting a wide and robust digital infrastructure through Microsoft classrooms was the best thing that the Beirut Baptist School (BBS) did over the last 3 years.
This Too Shall Pass
“You have taught us to pray when we don’t know what to do and need God to help us,” said a group of students to Mrs. Alice (Co-principal of academics at BBS). It had been a painful week for these high school students after hearing of the death of their math teacher, and all they could do was pray.
BCYM
Leading by Example
We are taught from a young age not to be anxious about anything but to pray and thank God for everything we need. And we, in turn, instill this hope along with God’s promises in our children and youth so that they may live life with Christ.
An Unexpected Answer to Prayer
Disappointed by the cancellation of the Baptist Children and Youth Ministry (BCYM) Children’s Camp that they had flown all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to help out at, the Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) team from Lorne Park Church was surprised to learn that their visit was nevertheless an unexpected answer to a struggling pastor’s prayer.
Family to Gather
Having been encouraged by a friend to attend, on Saturday, January 11th Rana set off for the Family to Gather event that was taking place at the ABTS Moore Conference Center that day. Hoping to find support in the midst of the political and economic crisis happening in Lebanon and keep her family strong despite all of the uncertainty and anxiety it produced, she brought her husband, nursery-aged son, and 8-year-old daughter along with her. What happened for her family there, however, was beyond what she could have hoped for.
Tempted by Hope: Giving Tuesday
What if a story of hope came out of the Middle East instead of the usual news of war and chaos? What if you had a chance to partake in this story of hope?
DMAH
The Book of Revelation – a Comfort in Extraordinary Times!
The book of Revelation in the Bible is not, perhaps, the most obvious example of a comforting read during times of crisis. However, this was certainly the case for one reader, who was aided by our recent publication of the first two parts of Dr. Imad Shehadeh’s commentary series on Revelation.
Father, Forgive Us for We Have Sinned
When we wake up each morning, what’s the first item we lay our hands on: our Bibles or our smart phones?
DMAH: Pray for Multiplying Bread
Just as food is important to us, so is ‘feeding’ regularly on God’s Word. At Dar Manhal al Hayat (DMAH) we offer a range of daily devotionals to help people meet with God every day. We are especially excited about a devotional for girls that we plan to publish soon. Please pray that our...
A Heart for the City
The Gateway Bookshop is much ‘more than just amazing books’. From hosting internationally acclaimed authors, to providing a place of quiet contemplation, our retail bookstore now offers a host of options in addition to selling books and gifts.
MERATH
Love in the Time of Corona
The coronavirus is now officially spreading through Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria, as well as in other countries in the Middle East. This follows a harsh winter and unprecedented economic and financial crises that have already severely impacted the most vulnerable.
Drops in the Desert
The war in Syria is far from over. Since early December, over one million people from the Syrian province of Idlib have been displaced with nowhere to find refuge. In other places that are considered “safer”, humanitarian needs have never been greater.
Welcoming Displaced Children in His Name
The Syrian crisis has dragged hundreds of thousands of children away from their homes and communities, forcing them to live in places where they face harsh living conditions, are deprived of educational opportunities, and do not feel welcomed. In this challenging context, our partner churches are answering their calling to welcome vulnerable children and their families and care for them, giving them a chance at a more hopeful future.
When Tempted to Flee, Stand
Wave after wave of violence has threatened to extinguish the light of Christ in Iraq as the country has been vacated of over two thirds of its Christian population since the early 2000s. And yet, at least one pastor and his congregation can be highlighted as having stood firm in the face of the temptation to flee and chosen to shine as bright lights in the impending darkness.
SKILD
The Cause for Inclusion Goes Virtual
Nine years ago, an inclusive Lebanon was a dream of many parents with children whose special needs denied them access to educational opportunities, social experiences, and economic independence. Hiding your child with special needs was the norm. Whenever you took him or her out meant that you were going to be shamed and ridiculed. The SKILD Center is a dream come true for its founder, Dr. Nabil Costa, also a parent to a child with special needs, and for many educators, specialists, and visionaries.
Life on Lockdown
Household dynamics shifted as we entered new times where social distancing, online learning, and working remotely became the norm. With the new living conditions and constant negative news, anxiety and stress are bound to knock at our doors. Among the many challenges we are facing, the main psycho-emotional one is finding creative ways to cope with our stress.
Night to Shine 2020
Fifty stars, fifty dreams, fifty chances for a bright future, if we only give them the right spotlight. Just like diamonds in the rough, young men and women with special needs are buried under mountains of neglect, shame, and social segregation, waiting for their light to be revealed and illuminate the world.
Family to Gather
Having been encouraged by a friend to attend, on Saturday, January 11th Rana set off for the Family to Gather event that was taking place at the ABTS Moore Conference Center that day. Hoping to find support in the midst of the political and economic crisis happening in Lebanon and keep her family strong despite all of the uncertainty and anxiety it produced, she brought her husband, nursery-aged son, and 8-year-old daughter along with her. What happened for her family there, however, was beyond what she could have hoped for.
Devotions
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness, for They Will Be Filled
After having mourned over our sins, we are, as a natural consequence, humbled into being meek, a term few people use these days especially since being humble and gentle towards others is perceived as more of a weakness than a virtue. However, perhaps ‘meek’ could be better translated as ‘disciplined’.
Blessed Are the Meek, for They Will Inherit the Earth
After having mourned over our sins, we are, as a natural consequence, humbled into being meek, a term few people use these days especially since being humble and gentle towards others is perceived as more of a weakness than a virtue. However, perhaps ‘meek’ could be better translated as ‘disciplined’.
Let Us Reflect the Hope of the Resurrection
The news these days seems like a doom report. At times I feel so overwhelmed by the weight of the devastation and grief that many must be experiencing around the world. According to the WHO, at the time of this writing, over 1.6M people have been infected with the virus and more than 96,000 have succumbed to it.
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn, for They Shall Be Comforted
In a time when the corona virus is wreaking havoc on our healthcare and economic systems, we all need to hear good news, to be comforted and reassured. On the surface, this beatitude fits the job description of a blanket blessing. However, when we look a bit closer, Jesus is literally saying, “Happy are those who are sad”.
Updates
A Country on Its Knees
In October 2019, many Lebanese took to the streets in a festive manner with dancing and chanting to denounce mounting economic pressures and demand political accountability for three decades of corruption and mismanagement of public resources.
9 Years in the Syrian Cauldron
After nine years of war, we had hoped that the worst was behind us. However, the most severe humanitarian crisis since the beginning of the war is currently unfolding in Idlib, a province in Northwestern Syria, following efforts by the Syrian government to recapture one of the last rebel and jihadi-held strongholds.
New Cabinet, Same Old Story?
For a city that has prided itself as one of the best destinations for nightlife in the Middle East, the battlefield-like scenes broadcasted on national TV over the weekend of January 18th – 19th and January 22nd were quite the change from the usual glitz and glamour of Beirut’s party scene.
An Economic Brief on the Situation in Lebanon
The Lebanese uprising has been raging since October 17th and there seems to be no solution in sight since the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri on October 29th.
