Global Ministries

The “Great March of Return” passed its 31st Friday amid increasing violence from the Israeli forces and militants amongst the legitimate protestors. More than 230 people were injured, and five killed including 19-year-old Nassar Abu Tim.

Lord of the suffering, we pray for a commitment to human rights by all sides and the protection of all lives. We pray for effective international intervention to ensure justice. We pray for humanitarian aid and rebuilding where destruction has occurred. We pray for peace and for justice in our homes and on our city streets. Wrap all and each of these your people in your love. Let them hear: “Come to me you who suffer and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.

Middle East Council of Churches

At its first General Assembly in Nicosia, Cyprus (May, 1974), the Middle East Council of Churches was formed at the conclusion of a series of successful discussions between the Orthodox churches in the Middle East (both Eastern and Oriental) and the Protestant and Episcopal members of the Near East Council of Churches.

Report of the Summer 2018 Service programs in Jordan

Jordan, the biblical “land of refugees,” continues to shoulder for the whole world its historical role as the safe haven for refugees. The Kingdom prides itself as a unique state of ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity with minority groups able to sustain unique differences. Hospitality has always been a feature of the Middle Eastern cultures, and we in Jordan have always taken this heritage very seriously. Jordan has not been blessed with rich deposits of oil, gold, water or other natural resources. We are grappling with financial crises, one after the other, and the locals are paying the high price, silently and patiently waiting for the international communities to help out in this crises that Jordan now is facing. We are not afraid to open our borders to receive refugees from the neighboring countries, neither turn our shoulders from the needy and the ones fleeing a life threatening situation.

The summer service program started in April 2018 supporting the Syrian refugees in Northern Badia in the province of Mafraq, Jordan, which includes three unofficial tented settlements: al-Faisaliah Camp, Naifah Camp, and Sabha camp.  The total number of beneficiaries are about 750 people.  In addition, the program assisted about 700 Iraqi refugees, located in Amman.

Report prepared by Mr. Azmi Edwan, Program Coordinator, The Orthodox Initiative

Leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the United Church of Christ, and Global Ministries were among 15 ecumenical Christian leaders signing a letter to members of Congress expressing concern about US military sales and military aid to countries in the Middle East.  The Rev. Teresa Hord Owens and the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Ministers and Presidents of the Disciples and UCC (respectively), and the Rev. Julia Brown Karimu and the Rev. Dr. James Moos, Co-Executives of Global Ministries, signed the letter, dated March 14, which stated, "We firmly believe that stability and long-term security in the Middle East will only come about when the United States and other countries move away from a militarized approach and the profits that come from perpetual conflict."

Jerusalem, 12 January 2018 – Today the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land consecrated and installed The Rev. Sani Ibrahim Charlie “Barhoum” Azar as its fourth Bishop in the church’s history.
Under the guidance of the Scripture, “You did not choose me, but I chose you,” John 15:16 Bishop Azar addressed the congregation and honored guests.
 
“It seems the Lord has called me today to follow in a new way, and to bear new fruit. Today, the six congregations of the ELCJHL are under my care. I am humbled and honored to take up this new responsibility, and promise to continue our relationship based on love, companionship and respect,” Bishop Azar.

Bethlehem, 10 January 2018 – Glowing tributes of the foundation that Bishop Younan established at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) matched the glow of friends, family, Jerusalem and international leaders, and dignitaries from Palestine and Jordan, as they celebrated the third Bishop of the ELCJHL.

Over 500 guests filled the Convention Palace in the small village of Bethlehem during the evening celebration of Bishop Younan’s 42 years of service to the church as youth pastor, as pastor of three ELCJHL churches, and as Bishop for 20 years.

While meeting in Amman, Jordan from 17-23 November, the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee issued a statement on recent developments in Iraq affecting the prospects for sustaining religious and social diversity, and the future of the nation and its peoples.

Amman, Jordan – “When the West looks at Christianity of the East, they don’t look at the mosaic, they look at the Orthodox, not the Evangelicals,” said, The Rev. Dr. Habib Badr of Lebanon. This describes the environment which Middle Eastern Evangelicals are living, in the shadows of and looking toward the future of the Reformation.

A New School Year Begins...

This time of year in the United States and Canada, children and grandchildren are walking, skipping, and riding back to school. Arithmetic, Spelling, and Social Studies; AP Chemistry, Algebra II, and World History; recess, Friday night football, and school carnivals march through the field of young minds. Parents and congregations gather school supplies so that every student - and even their teachers - can begin the school year well. Many churches bless children and their backpacks as they begin the start of a new year.