Monday, October 22
Lebanon
Young people prepare to have an impact on the church in the Middle East.
After we finished our studies at the Near East School of Theology (Beirut) and Princeton Theological Seminary (United States), my husband, Rev. Joseph Kassab, and I returned to Lebanon in 1990 to co-direct the Christian Education Department in the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon. Our ministry focuses on young generations in the church, especially youth, women, family programs, and training of educators.
We launched a ministry that created a positive impact on the life of churches - a program for young people between 12 and 14 years old. This group has great potential. We're discovering that if this age group grows up around the church, we will not lose them later. At special conferences for preteens, we listen to their concerns and hopes. Together we are figuring out how we can be the church together.
Today, young people are changing the face of our societies in the Middle East. In addition to changes in the secular sphere, I believe our younger generations in the church will be agents of its renewal.
Despite the difficult situation in the Middle East, it is a blessing to serve here. The early church did bear fruit in the midst of pain, and we also strive to do so. Rooting our younger ones in faith gives us hope for a better future. We pray that they will grow to serve and stay in the Middle East.
- Preacher Najla Kassab, director of the Christian Education Department in the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon: Rev. Dr. Nuhad Tomeh, regional liaison, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, World Mission
Partners/Ministries
National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon: Rev. George Murad, moderator, Rev. Fadi Dagher, general secretary * The schools of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon * The National Evangelical Church of Beirut: Rev. Dr. Habib Bader, pastor * Supreme Council of Evangelical Churches of Syria and Lebanon: Rev. Dr. Salim Sahiouny, president * Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches: Rev. Dr. Mgardish Karakouzian, president, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, secretary * The Armenian Orthodox Church * The Orthodox Apostolic Church of Antioch and All the East (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate) * The Syrian Orthodox Church * Hamlin Home for the Elderly * Jinishian Memorial Program: Mrs. Seta Pamboukian, director * Lebanese American University: Dr. Joseph Jabbra, president * Near East School of Theology, Beirut: Rev. Dr. George Sabra, acting president and dean
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Eileen Schuhmann, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Cynthia Schultz, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Let us pray
Dear Lord, we pray for the young people in our churches. May your presence be the rock they can hold on to when things sound hopeless. Help them to focus on you and count the blessings of bearing fruit in this part of the world. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 57; 145
First Reading Micah 2:1-13
Second Reading Revelation 7:1-8
Gospel Reading Luke 9:51-62
Evening Psalms 85; 47
