Global Ministries

The General Secretary of the National Evangelical [Presbyterian] Synod of Syria and Lebanon, the Rev. Joseph Kassab, has provided the following update on the situation in northeast Syria.

The latest invasion by Turkey to the Syrian territories at the Northeast opened a new phase of the war in Syria. The U.S administration decided to leave the fate Kurds in the hand of Turkey after they used them in the last four years in fighting ISIS. 60,000 fighter, mostly Kurds, were recruited by the US and armed under the title of “Democratic Syrian Forces”. Today, the Trump administration strikes a deal with Turkey to create a 30 Km “safe zone” alongside the Syrian-Turkish borders. The claimed target of this operation is to push the anti-Turkey Kurdish militias away from disturbing the national security of Turkey. The second is to move about 2 million Syrian refugees from Turkey into the safe zone.

WASHINGTON: The National Council of Churches joins the Middle East Council of Churches in raising prayers for peace and for an end to the cycle of violence now expressed through Turkish attacks on northeast Syria. While the primary target of the Turkish invasion is the Kurdish population, for whom we are urgently concerned, we also have serious concerns for the Christian communities that are in the path of the Turkish military, including Syrian Orthodox, Armenian, and Assyrian Christians, as well as for the plight of the Yazidi peoples.

As a result of armed struggles and conflict, the beginning of the 21st century was branded as an era of forced migration. Millions of people were forced to leave their homes and belongings, in an attempt to escape the violence and merely rekindle hope for a brighter future. This led to unforeseen socioeconomic ramifications and pressures on host communities; a point which in no ways whatsoever should be blamed on those forced to displace.

The Middle East Council of Churches condemns the terrorist bombing which took place on Thursday July 11, 2019, in front of the Church of Our Lady in Qamishli-Syria. In a phone call to His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, MECC Secretary General Dr Souraya Bechealany denounced this criminal act and declared complete solidarity with the Syriac Orthodox Church, especially the faithful in Qamishli. Dr Bechealany said that “our faith will not falter before this treacherous crime nor will our determination waver. We will still defend human dignity and support the efforts to establish peace and spread the culture of dialogue, love and reconciliation “.

Dr. Bechealany and His Holiness Aphrem lifted common prayers for the victims of the bombing to be healed. Together with the Churches of the Middle East they invoked God’s grace for security and peace for the Euphrates and Al-Jazira regions.

Migrants Rescued by the Sea Watch: the FCEI Writes to the European, Canadian and US Churches

LEGGI IN ITALIANO “A Coherent and Sustainable Management for The Migration Flow of the Mediterranean Sea is Needed.” Rome (NEV), May 21th, 2019 – The president of the FCEI, pastor Luca Maria Negro, together with Paolo Naso and Fiona Kendall, the coordinator and legal advisor of the Mediterranean Hope project promoted by FCEI,  sent a letter to sister churches.  Read more...

This article was written and posted by the United Church of Christ and can be found here. 

Churches in Syria are getting a $64,000 boost in their work with war-stricken children and families, thanks to Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a grant from the Harold C. Smith Foundation.

Life returning to Syria

In late March, a delegation visited the Evangelical churches of Lebanon and Syria, signing a memorandum of commitment. We asked the delegates about their experiences in the Middle East, including the situation of local Christians, as well as the significance and further possibilities of cooperation.

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ joined in sending a letter to President Donald Trump regarding his recent announcement that US troops would withdraw from Syria. The letter, sent on April 10, supported the decision, but added that the root causes of insecurity, negotiations involving all parties, as well as the provision of generous humanitarian and reconstruction support, are necessary.  The full text of the letter follows below.

Refugees: On March 28th a New Arrival from Lebanon Through the Humanitarian Corridors by the Protestant Churches and The Community of Sant’Egidio

LEGGI IN ITALIANO The 54 Syrian refugees will be welcomed by associations, parishes and communities in different Italian regions to immediately facilitate their integration. A welcoming event with press conference at the Fiumicino Airport on Thursday 28th Rome (NEV/CS19), March 25th, 2019 – On Thursday 28th  54 Syrian refugees will arrive in Fiumicino through the Humanitarian Corridors promoted by the FCEI.  Read more…

Following US President Donald Trump's announcement and declaration recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, US churches and Christian organizations, including Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, issued the following statement on March 28, 2019.

This past Thursday, March 21, President Trump announced that the United States would recognize Israeli annexation and sovereignty over the Golan Heights.  As US-based churches and Christian organizations with long histories of engagement in the Middle East through mission and ecclesial relations, we fully reject this unilateral declaration and are especially concerned about this Administration’s disregard for international law.