Greetings from Lebanon,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1: 2)
As you may have heard, the MENA region is currently experiencing challenging and unstable times. From the ongoing war in Gaza since last October, with its repercussions extending to neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, to the persistent armed conflict in Sudan, the region is facing significant turmoil. Amid these trials, it can be easy to lose hope. However, it’s important to recognize that despite these challenges, God is actively moving and working. Moreover, the Church is actively seeking ways to bring peace and healing to their communities.
Lebanon
Since the onset of the war in Gaza on October 8, 2023, Lebanon’s southern borders have experienced daily skirmishes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. As the bombardment intensified, reaching inhabited villages along the borders, more than 70,000 people were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in Beirut and the surrounding areas. Our partners at Thimar, along with the efforts of local churches, have been actively involved in providing relief assistance to some of these displaced families.
Neighbouring Countries
Last March, I had the privilege of visiting a neighbouring war-torn country alongside Bassem Melki, Director of Peacemaking and Non-Formal Training, and Abed El Kareem Zien El Dien, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at ABTS. The purpose of our trip was to engage in discussions with our partners and explore ways in which CBM and ABTS can collaborate to provide leadership training. During this three-day journey, we visited various cities where we met with church leaders representing different denominations.
As a result of our visit, we are now collaborating on a training program scheduled to take place in June. This training will cater to pastors of Baptist churches and their spouses. Led by Bassem Melki and his team from ABTS, the training will focus on the crucial topics of peacebuilding and reconciliation. A pastor, who oversees a church in the region and has previously participated in ABTS-led training on this subject, underscores its importance. He believes that equipping church leaders with these skills is essential given the internal challenges facing the Church in this conflict region. Furthermore, such training will enable them to initiate peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts within their local communities, creating opportunities to share the gospel.
Sudan
Despite the ongoing war in Sudan, the resilience and faith of church leaders shine brightly as they courageously share the gospel within communities seeking shelter amidst the conflict. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, these leaders embody compassion and hope, shining as beacons of light to those around them. Their firm commitment to spreading the message of love and redemption serves as a source of strength and comfort to those affected by the turmoil. Through their actions and words, they exemplify the spirit of solidarity and unity.
Pastor Philemon, an ABTS alumni and the president of the Baptist Convention in Sudan, contacted us asking for support for two leadership trainings they intend to hold in May and June. He states, “The project of training leaders comes at a time when Sudan is going through an exceptional period in its history, and the Church is suffering like the rest of society due to the war, with everyone, including church leaders, experiencing dispersal. This project aims to train and encourage the Church to continue its service despite all circumstances.” CBM will help fund this project, as we believe this training will have a positive impact on the ministry by equipping both new and existing leaders with skills to be more effective in their service.
Prayer requests:
- For a resolution to the war in Gaza.
- For the conflict in Sudan to end, and for the safety of our partners as they tirelessly and sacrificially serve their communities.
- For the leadership training in neighbouring war-torn countries scheduled to take place in the next couple of months.
