Christians in Lebanon: living near a volcano
January 2016Beirut National Evangelical Church pastor Revd Dr Habib Badr tells Wazala why he sees “quality Christian presence” as the key to future peace and inclusion in a fragile and volatile country. A wall of coiled razor wire stands guard over the entrance to Evangelical Church Road in Central Beirut. It’s there not to protect the church but to control access […]
Iran and Saudi Arabia: piety or politics?
What is driving the growing tensions between these two major Gulf powers and what part does religion play? Simon Mabon brings some clarity. The execution by Saudi Arabia of the prominent Shi’a cleric Nimr al-Nimr on the 2nd January, along with the 46 others found guilty of terrorism by a Saudi court, has seen the already tense relationship between the […]
The exiled Syrians discovering the God of miracles
January 2016In the first of a series of articles from Lebanon, Lindsay Shaw from SAT-7 UK reports on how God is changing lives among Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley A soaring unfinished entrance wing announces a church in the midst of major expansion. But it is the hundreds of people the church is serving that reveal the real growth at […]
From fear to joy – a Saviour is born
January 2016The angels’ command to “Fear not” has never been more relevant, says Munther Isaac, Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College. But how does news of a Saviour drive out fear? “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born […]
Briefing – January 2016
January 2016A turbulent year ended and a new one began with a sharp escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and its chief rival, Iran. This month’s briefing looks at the year ahead. The year ahead for the region The New Year began at full speed. The execution of Nimr al-Nimr, a leading Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia, prompted international condemnation with […]
Revisiting the Girl Who Forgave ISIS
December 2015Iraqi Refugee Child’s Startling Message to World Leaders An 11-year-old Iraqi refugee whose video message of forgiveness for Islamic State (IS) went viral worldwide has given startling advice on how world leaders should respond to a Middle East in crisis: “Walk with love and mercy in your hearts.” A year ago, Christian satellite television channel SAT-7 KIDS first filmed and […]
Gospel Media Campaign Reveals Power To Change In Lebanon
December 2015In a month when suicide bombers killed 43 civilians on the streets of Beirut, residents of the Lebanese capital also had the opportunity to hear far better news in a ground-breaking Gospel media campaign. The Power to Change united volunteers from some 57 cooperating churches for the first time. It also combined city-wide advertising using roadside and overhead billboards with […]
How Egypt celebrates Christmas – December 2015
December 2015“Out of Egypt I called my Son.” (Hosea 11:1) These verses are treasured by every Egyptian Christian. The Gospel of Matthew (2:13-15) tells how Hosea’s prophecy of Israel’s deliverance was fulfilled in a new way in the life of Jesus. The God who had rescued His people miraculously in the Exodus now snatched His Son from Herod’s snare when an […]