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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
Overflowing Nets: God’s Provision for BBS
The start of school is like New Year’s Day for educators: there
is something invigorating, and hopeful ushered in by the beginning of a new academic year.
More Than Just a School
“I recently received several calls from my children’s school and did not answer. I wanted to avoid embarrassment in case they were calling about my children’s tuition payments. When I didn’t answer they ended up sending me a message via email describing the actual purpose of their calls: they had a gift for all families. Today, when I opened it, I was surprised by the content of that gift.”
The Plight of Lebanon’s Teachers
While the compounding crises in Lebanon have impacted virtually everyone in society, there is another—less noticed—group that has been significantly affected by the nation’s crises: Lebanon’s teachers.
Prayer for BBS Teachers
On March 9th Lebanon celebrated Teacher's Day. This public holiday exists to express appreciation for teachers' dedication to their work and contribution to society at large. This month, please pray with us for the teachers of Lebanon. Pray for: Creativity as teachers navigate how to adapt their...
BCYM
From Broken Homes to a Home of Hope
Sara went from one broken home to another until one day she filed a complaint with the police and was given the chance to move to a new sort of home: a Home of Hope.
Finding Jesus, the Healer
“From pain grew peace and love.” These are the words of 20-year-old Nour, a recent graduate of Home of Hope, a shelter for former Street Kids. Join us as she tells her story of how she met Jesus, the Healer during her time at Home of Hope.
BCYM Christmas in a Box
The Countdown to Christmas has begun at BCYM. Our team and volunteers have been busy printing, buying, packing and putting the final touches on the Christmas Camp in a Box just in time to distribute to over 1,000 special children across Lebanon.
BCYM’s Camp in a Box is Out of the Box!
Not letting the pandemic hold them back from sharing the Good News with kids across Lebanon, BCYM has successfully distributed 517 boxes via 30 channels, the majority of which were sent to specifically cater to children affected by the explosion.
DMAH
The Voices of Arab Women
From February 4-5, Dar Manhal al Hayat (DMAH) hosted a writing workshop as part of their ongoing A Voice for Arab Women project—a three-year project that seeks to elevate the stories of women throughout the Arab world.
Cultivating Disciples in the Arab World
Only 20 years ago, there were only a few hundred followers of Christ in the Middle East and North Africa region. Now, we’re seeing miraculous growth, even in times of war and crisis. In light of these changes, there is a critical need for discipleship training and spiritual resources – for both new and mature believers alike.
Discipling the Arab World through Local Authors
Local writers are essential communicators of the Gospel because they wrestle with the same questions as the people in their churches and communities, which may be very different questions discussed in Western resources.
A Bible in Baghdad: How Bookfairs Change Lives
Do you ever wonder if distributing Christian litterature even makes a difference? For one woman in Baghdad, simply receiving a Bible changed her life.
MERATH
Where Does Our Help Come from?
Lebanon has been enduring a severe and prolonged economic depression, and it is hard to imagine that the situation could still get worse. Yet it does, every single day, and an even bigger storm is coming.
Warding Off Winter Woes
After a relatively warm December, winter hit Lebanon and Syria hard in January and is expected to continue bringing heavy rains, hailstorms, and snow at higher altitudes. As many vulnerable families in both countries lack indoor heating, we are thankful for our local partners who have reached almost 10,000 families with winter items so far and helped rehabilitate 100 homes damaged in the Beirut explosion, among other much-needed assistance.
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.
SKILD
A New Frontier: Extending Inclusion to Higher Education
For most young people, finishing high school is just another milestone to add on the wall of family pictures. But let us imagine for a second that all of this is not possible.
Celebrating Special Needs Parents
As SKILD enters its tenth year of ministry, we are proud of parents who defied their community, took a stand against its shame and honor culture, and fought for their children to be recognized as an integral part of society.
SKILD’s Parent2Parent is Changing Lives
SKILD’s Parent2Parent was created as a support group that is a comfortable space for parents of special needs children to share their experiences and grow together. Watch Anna, a mother of a young girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder, describe her journey from despair to hope after joining Parent2Parent, where she found a listening ear after struggling with unanswered questions and fears for five years.
Door-to-door Day to Shine
Eyes still shining and hearts still warm, this year’s door-to-door Night to Shine had it all! With humbleness and gratitude, 15 SKILD volunteers prepared special parcels and visited 63 kings and queens with special needs and their families who welcomed them with big smiles as they shared the joy of having their children recognized for their potential.
Devotions
Christians in the Middle East
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Christian in the Lebanon? In this video, Daniella Daou, SKILD’s Partner Relations Coordinator, tells us what it is like to be a Christian in the midst of a unique and diverse consociational system.
Empowering the Powerless
In this video, Betty Maarari, coordinator of SKILD’s Parent2Parent support group, shares with listeners about the importance of protecting the powerless and of giving honor to the weaker parts, since we are all a part of one body.
We Are the Children of Hope
Pastor Joseph Kazzi shares about the power of the resurrection and its effect on the disciples. As a result of Christ’s resurrection we can be children of hope.
Reflections for the Lenten Season
In this video, our partner on the ground, Joe Bridi, shares his reflections on the Lenten season with us. He asks us important questions about how we are living our lives and how we are investing in our relationships with God and others.
Updates
Light that Shines in the Darkness
It is hard to believe that the ongoing Syrian civil war started 10 years ago. This is an anniversary we all wish we did not have to commemorate. As the situation for families affected by the war keeps on getting darker, God’s light keeps on shining ever brighter through the relief ministry of our partner churches.
Op-Ed: A Time for Truth, A Time for Hope
In a world where we are bombarded with contradictory information and conspiracy theories are mainstream, Pilate’s question to Jesus, “What is Truth?” is more important now than ever.
On A Journey Of Hope
Thank you for the generosity you have shown over the last two weeks in partnering with us to strengthen the witness of the Church in the midst of the crisis in Beirut. Here's an update on LSESD's response: 40+ families are being provided with temporary housing in the ABTS residences along with...
May God Protect Lebanon! Strengthening the Witness of the Church!
"May God protect Lebanon" were the last words of the Prime Minister of Lebanon's resignation speech just hours ago, repeating them three times. His resignation follows a weekend of violent anti-government protests and clashes with riot police in the wake of last week's massive explosion that left...