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Author: Admin H4L
Home Admin H4L Page 10
h4l-story-march26-2024
Story
March 26, 2024

Tearful Repentance

Ghaith Diab, a recent student at Hope Center, brought his bright and exuberant personality to the morning program after transitioning from the afternoon one. From the very start, he exhibited a strong determination to be noticed and to make his classmates laugh with his jokes and humor. His eagerness to stand out was undeniable, but little did he know that he was about to encounter a transformative moment in his young life.

This pivotal moment arrived during a dictation test, a significant academic challenge for young Ghaith. As the teacher distributed the test papers, Ghaith had a plan in place. He had concealed an extra sheet of paper in his pencil case and attempted to sneak peek at it during the dictation. The teacher observed his struggles and decided to step in. She approached Ghaith calmly and said, “Ghaith, please stop writing. I’ll talk to you later.”

Instead of chastising him, she sensed his inner turmoil, taking him aside and gently inquiring about the reasons behind his decision to cheat. Tearfully, Ghaith confessed that he didn’t understand the words in the dictation. In response, the teacher assured him of her unwavering support, promising not to be angry or punitive. She patiently explained the unfamiliar words, offering additional practice, and in doing so, instilled in Ghaith a newfound sense of trust and self-confidence. The following day, Ghaith tackled the dictation test with renewed determination, completing it honestly.

As the school year unfolded, Ghaith’s spiritual journey led him to a Bible session where he posed a seemingly simple question, “What is the cross?” His compassionate classmates explained, and the Bible teacher seized the opportunity to share the profound story of Jesus’s crucifixion, a story previously unfamiliar to Ghaith. “Is that what Jesus did for me? He was nailed to a cross?” Gaith asked as tears welled up in his eyes. He had absorbed the message of love and sacrifice that this story conveyed.

After the Bible session, Ghaith felt remorse for his past actions. He approached his English teacher to express his regrets for cheating during the dictation test. At that moment, his teacher noticed the remarkable transformation in Ghaith and responded with a warm, understanding smile. He asked Jesus for forgiveness too. This episode marked a significant turning point in Ghaith’s journey at the Hope Center, where he learned the values of honesty, trust, and the importance of seeking help when needed. With the unwavering support of his teachers and the nurturing environment of the Hope Center, Ghaith not only thrived academically but also underwent a remarkable spiritual transformation.

By Admin H4L
march 14 2024 news
Story
March 13, 2024

Always Fruitful

Rajaa, born in the Hauran region of Syria, was the youngest among her ten siblings. Her father’s work cultivating owned lands provided the family with a comfortable life. After completing her studies in a public school, Rajaa pursued further education in Damascus, completing a comprehensive law program over five years.

During this time she met Imad who was visiting Syria from Lebanon. A deep connection formed between them, leading to their marriage and relocation to Lebanon. Imad operated a meat shop, supporting their family. In 1999, they welcomed their first daughter, Rita, followed by another daughter, Maria, in 2001.

Years later, both daughters worked temporarily as waitresses in a restaurant. Rita’s encounter with a member of the Hope Evangelical Church led to her attending a youth gathering, where she found happiness in Biblical teachings. Excited, she shared her experience with her mother, Rajaa.

Two church representatives invited Rajaa to join the church’s Bible study, which she eagerly accepted. She diligently took notes during gatherings, reflecting on their significance at home. After accepting Christ Jesus as her Savior, and upon learning about new discipleship classes, Rajaa registered and fully engaged in the program, demonstrating commitment and growth. After completing the program, she publicly declared her faith through baptism. “I am now saved, and I have become a disciple of Jesus. Now, I want the world to know about my faith,” she said. 

Expressing her desire to volunteer in visitations, Rajaa actively participates in frequent visits. She also attends leadership meetings, gaining insights into effective leadership rooted in Biblical principles.

She humbly expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am genuinely thankful for the leadership classes, as they have equipped me with strength and wisdom from the words of the Lord in the Bible, enabling me to serve Him more effectively.”

We ask for prayers for Rajaa, that God may continue to use her as a devoted servant and true soldier in His service.

By Admin H4L
Newsletter
March 13, 2024

Capital Campaign

Heart for Lebanon has launched a Capital Campaign for a new Hope Ministry Center in the south of Lebanon, in Ghazieh, to meet the growing ministry needs in the South.

The year 2019, saw the completion of the Hope Ministry Center in Zahleh, Bekaa Valley. Our Center in Zahleh has greatly expanded the ministry of Heart for Lebanon in that region. It now houses the Hope Evangelical Church (Arabic and Kurdish congregations), multiple Bible Studies and Discipleship classes, Missional Leadership Training Center, the non-formal educational program for children and adults, medical and dental clinics, warehouse and distribution center, and many other ministry programs.

Five years later, Heart for Lebanon enters another Capital Campaign with great anticipation to see what the Lord is preparing for our ministry in southern Lebanon. The Hope Ministry Center in Ghazieh will truly expand our reach to the 58 towns and villages our team is currently serving in that region. We look with excitement for the completion of Phase One of this campaign in 2026. This phase will enable us to move the Hope Evangelical Church in Ghazieh to our own premises and will enable us to add new Bible Studies and Discipleship classes to the growing faith community in Southern Lebanon.

Heart for Lebanon is strategically located in Ghazieh, a coastal town between two major cities with great Biblical importance: Sidon and Tyre. Our team has already built an amazing relational network among the Lebanese and refugee communities in Southern Lebanon, as well as earned the respect of the local authorities, and our ministry programs are growing exponentially. Once fully completed, this Ministry Center will offer new Christ-centered ministry opportunities where the Gospel is boldly preached and new disciples are equipped to serve in a Muslim dominant culture.

The region of Southern Lebanon is always in the news for the wrong reasons. Political and border tensions are constant reasons for concern. But the people of that region are also thirsty for the truth. Muslim families are tired of the pain and suffering they have caused and/or experienced over the years. Our faith community has an “Esther Moment” to point them to Jesus; the author and perfecter of our faith.

I invite you to pray with us as we venture into this new Capital Campaign. We are confident that God is preparing the next chapter in our ministry; to help lead people from despair to hope in Christ.

100% of investments into our Endowment Fund and/or our Capital Campaign go to the respective project. All administration and fundraising costs have been covered.

By Admin H4L
Newsletter
March 13, 2024

Winterization Report

This winter Heart for Lebanon took a step to alleviate the cold for vulnerable communities. Recognizing the pressing need to safeguard the well-being of both Lebanese citizens and refugees, we initiated a comprehensive Winterization Program. This aimed to provide vital winterization packages items such as blankets, jackets, socks, hats, and scarves to those in need.

This initiative not only sought to address the immediate challenges posed by winter weather but also aimed to serve others as Christ Jesus commanded and reach those in need with the gospel of salvation. The effort was undertaken by both Bekaa and South Lebanon Ministry Centers, and even had an impact across the border into Syria.

The initiative specifically targeted the most vulnerable families grappling with the challenges of winter and burdened with financial constraints. A significant percentage of these families find themselves residing in camps characterized by extremely challenging living conditions.

Following the distribution of winterization items, there has been a noticeable improvement in the well-being of recipients. The impact of this initiative goes beyond the tangible, enhancing the overall resilience of these communities. It has helped to build new, and strengthen existing, relationships. This initiative has given us opportunities to have spiritual conversations. Some are already in Bible Studies.

By Admin H4L
Newsletter
March 13, 2024

Special Music Project Complete!

You know how important music is to your church and for your worship! What if you grew up Muslim where you never knew music because it wasn’t allowed? This is a sad reality for many of the people we serve. When they meet Jesus and realize how beautiful and powerful music is, they want to participate. Because of investors like you, they now have the opportunity!

Heart for Lebanon’s Hope Evangelical Church in Zahle, has started a Music School. The purpose of this school is to help talented young men and women develop their potential to use music as a ministry. The goal is to train up a new generation of Worship Leaders for the nation of Lebanon and around the Middle East. The interest in the Music School is very high.

We are seeking your prayers for this new ministry. Thanks to some of our church partners we now have the funds to purchase top-level instruments in Lebanon and we have teachers who are already involved in helping students become better Worship leaders.  We thank God for this achievement among new believers and we are excited for the near future to see more students learning on new instruments.

Thank you so much to the churches that helped with this project this past Christmas season!

By Admin H4L
Newsletter
March 13, 2024

Radio Partners

The students at our H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) Program celebrated Christmas with a special event last year. The event was filled with fun activities, the Christmas story as recorded in Luke, and lots of Christmas excitement.

At the end of the day, each child received a special surprise Christmas gift that the children were so excited to open. The Christmas party and the gifts were made possible by the many listeners of Star 93.3. God is using STAR every day to impact people across New York city and the Tri-State region, and in the nation of Lebanon.

We are so grateful for the STAR listeners who made this special Christmas event possible that allowed us to deepen a relationship with each child and their family. It was a truly joyful day for the children in our H.O.P.E. Program.

Also, thanks to the generosity of our radio partners at WDAC in Lancaster, WTBN throughout Central Florida and the greater Tampa area, and WBYN in the Philadelphia area, many vulnerable children and their families in Lebanon were equipped to face this cold winter with Winterization kits and supplies essential for survival.

By Admin H4L
Newsletter
March 13, 2024

Target Goals for 2024

“Prayer is the highest intelligence, the profoundest wisdom, the most vital, the most joyous, the most efficacious, the most powerful of all vocations.”—E. M. Bounds

 

We are praying and trusting God, in 2024, that we will be able to reach and maybe exceed the goals stated below. However, to be honest I think when God hears our goals He just smiles and says, “they have no idea!”

It’s not the target number that’s important, it’s the fact that each number represents a soul that will spend eternity in heaven or not. People of every ethnic group in Lebanon are asking questions like, “Why do we keep fighting and nothing changes?” or “What’s the answer to all this anger?” or one that is common among the children, “All I know is fighting and anger. When will it end? I’m tired of it”.  All these questions are Jesus questions and we at Heart for Lebanon are ready to answer each one.

Below are some specific goal numbers that require prayer as we look to our Lord and depend on Him for this year of ministry.

2024 Target Goals:

    • The goal is to serve 4,500 families per month in 2024.  That’s 27,000 individuals we will be serving monthly through our Family Care initiative:  Care Package Distribution, Skill Development Program, Health Care & Clinic Program, Clothes Washing Program and Shelter Support.
    • Our 2024 H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) Program has 1,200 registered students being taught a full academic program with Biblical values wrapped into every lesson, character trait studies (honesty, forgiveness, trustworthiness) and a weekly Chapel service.
    • The goal for our Children-at-Risk initiative is 1,500 children a month participating in our Hope on Wheels ministry, sports programs, and Bible clubs.
    • We are praying for 900 adults each month in Spiritual Formation initiatives which are Bible studies and discipleship classes.
    • Hope Evangelical Churches weekly attendance goal is 800 for all 3 worship services. Both churches in Zahle and Ghazieh include these ministries: Sunday Morning Service, Ethnic Group Worship Service & Discipleship program (Bekaa), Bible Studies, Discipleship & Baptism Classes, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Prayer Meetings, Pastoral Care Visits, Special Services (Christmas, Easter, New Year) Camps and Retreats.
    • We are praying for 120 people each month to be in our Missional Leadership Development program.

To reach these 2024 Target Goals, we believe we also will need 200 new Prayer Partners.

This is your personal invitation to join our Prayer Team.

I WILL JOIN THE PRAYER TEAM
By Admin H4L
Newsletter
March 12, 2024

The real question is

As the events keep escalating between Hezbollah and Israel, combined with the multitude of crises in the country of Lebanon, which are producing an unprecedented scale of opportunities for ministry. I was reminded of a comment a friend of mine made a few years ago. My friend asked a question that has stuck with me to this day. The question sums up how we are expected to live and act as followers of Jesus Christ. If we would only ask this question in every situation, we find ourselves in and then act on it – well, the world would look a lot different.

The question is, “What does love require of me in this situation?” This simple question sums up what Jesus declared to be the greatest commandment of the law and the prophets (“Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind”), and His command for the new covenant (“Love your neighbor as yourself”) (Matthew 22:36-40).

You can apply this question in every situation as you go throughout your day, just like we do in Lebanon. It will change your interactions with people. It will help you navigate the many opportunities that come your way. By the way it has also driven me crazy from time to time and it will you as well.

The reason is it will cause you to do difficult things when you really do not have “time for this” or “just do not want to”. You will find yourself giving up more and more of who you are, so you can more effectively love others. It won’t be easy, and you will feel your grasp of control continuously weakening. But then, isn’t this is the goal of our lives? We are to “give it away.”

It is obvious what love required of God. His love required Him to send His only Son to be born on earth and to live and die as a human so we might have a way to salvation. This was, of course, the ultimate expression of love. It sets a high standard for us. Today our responsibility is to ask, “What does love require of me in this situation?” As we answer this question positively, modeling the love of the Father, we continue the mission of Jesus.

Practically, when we see someone in need, we should not walk by, we must ask, “What does love require of ME here?” as it pertains to the needs of the individuals God places in our path. Or when you are engaged in a difficult conversation, we need to mentally pause and ask “what does love require of me” for what the next words from my mouth should be. You get the point.

Let me end with this; God loves you so much He sent His only Son to die in your place. He sent Him to live a life of humility and servanthood, setting the example for how we must live each moment of our lives. I will never comprehend the love of God or how it is that God is love.

Unlike us, love isn’t merely something God expresses, it’s the very essence of who He is. God cannot help but do what love required of Him to do. We, on the other hand, must answer the question “what does love require of me” moment by moment as we travel through our day. So, there no better time to start than right now, right where you are. What is love requiring of you right now?

Together We Are Better!

Tom Atema
Co-Founder

By Admin H4L
Newsletter
March 12, 2024

Intro to John Crump

Since 2006 Heart for Lebanon’s desire has been to have an active prayer ministry and to add as much value as we can to the local church. As we look into 2024 and beyond, our desire is to take this to a whole new level.

With that as the goal let me introduce you to Rev. John Crump who joined us this January 2nd on the Advancement Team here in the USA. John will have the privilege to lead our prayer ministry and add the value we desire to bring to all our partner churches world-wide.

Here’s a little about John!

• John grew up in Indiana and followed Jesus at age 8.
• He entered full-time pastoral ministry in 1998 after 10 years as a Probation Officer and Social Worker.
• He was ordained as a Pastor in October 2003.
• John and his wife Michelle have been married for 35 years and have 3 married children.
• He served on the Heart for Lebanon Board of Directors from 2013 to 2019.
• He has served in both Associate Pastor and in Senior Pastor roles over his 25 years of ministry.

A word from John to our Prayer Partners and church ministry partners:

“I am humbled and excited to join the Heart for Lebanon team! It’s been amazing to see God at work through Heart for Lebanon as they serve people and churches here in the USA, and by providing the resources for the ministry in Lebanon. With our partnership we can help fulfill our mission to Make Disciples. You and I get to be a part of leading people from despair to hope in Jesus’ Name at home and in Lebanon! I’m grateful to be a small part of that and I look forward to praying with you, and meeting church leaders in the days ahead!”   – John Crump

Please join me in welcoming John by sending him your greetings and your prayer requests. I know he would count it a privilege to pray with you.

Tom Atema

Co-Founder

By Admin H4L
H4L-News-Feb2024-1
Newsletter
March 12, 2024

We Love People

We develop godly men and women through our Missional Leadership Development Program because WE LOVE PEOPLE.

Once again, the Middle East is in a major crisis. Lebanon is not immune from the negative effects of all that is happening in Gaza and Israel. Scrimmages along the southern border are taking place every day. Hezbollah and Israel are having daily exchanges of fire, and those seem to be increasing. The recent assassination of several high-level Hamas leaders in Beirut only created further escalations at the border and loud calls for retaliation. Tension is on the rise; people are fearing for the worst.

In every crisis that Southern Lebanon has had in the past – and is going through today – people are asking questions: Why are we going through this? Who is ultimately in control? Does God exist? And if so, does He care for our miseries? These questions give Heart for Lebanon a golden opportunity to step in and try to address the fears and worries people are experiencing. It’s important for us to realize that we have an open door for proclaiming the Gospel that historically hasn’t been a possibility for many decades. The current conflict has made us think, in a new way, how we are going to respond to meet the growing number of questions that are arising – every question is a “Jesus question,” and we need to be able to answer each one.

This recent crisis at our borders has created a new wave of internally displaced individuals that have fled their towns and villages and moved closer to Sidon and Tyre (two coastal cities with Biblical significance). Heart for Lebanon immediately increased the number of families we serve. Our Hope Center in Southern Lebanon added 500 newly displaced families to our Family Care Initiative; providing food and basic essentials to help those who are suffering the most. Meeting people’s physical and emotional needs is a priority in times of conflict. They need to feel and experience the love of Christ in meaningful and tangible ways. This is foundational to building trust among those we serve.

We need to be reminded that people in Southern Lebanon are also thirsty and searching for the truth; truth they once thought was found in radical Islam. They are noticing that anger and frustration against everyone and anyone that might think differently than they do, is not satisfying and only leads to more hatred and violence. They are looking for something other than more radicalism. Please keep in mind a vacuum has been created between what they see and what they are told. People are searching for answers.

This is our Esther moment; people are searching for answers and the answer is in Jesus! They are searching for the truth; and truth can only be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The Gospel can and will fill their hearts with love, dignity, and purpose.

Heart for Lebanon has a unique ongoing ministry in Southern Lebanon. Our ministry has a footprint and a reputation in part because of our relational engagement with each person and family we serve in 56 villages, 3 large cities and several towns. Each one of those villages and communities have at least one if not many homes that are receiving physical care from Heart for Lebanon.  They also receive ongoing relational engagement visits that help with the emotional needs and draw us into conversations about Jesus Christ.  Through 19 different small Bible study/discipleship groups that meet weekly, with more than 250 adults attending these groups, people are given the opportunity to learn and get their questions answered. In addition to the discipleship classes, students in our non-formal educational program and in our Children-at-Risk program are also receiving Biblically based character formation training through skits, Bible lessons and Chapel held weekly for children.

All in all, Heart for Lebanon is engaging a large population in different areas of Southern Lebanon by strategically planting Hope Evangelical Church in Ghazieh just south of Sidon and north of Tyre. This church holds an Arabic speaking worship service that meets weekly on Sunday morning with an average of 350 adults in attendance. This congregation is made up of adults from Kurdish, Arabic Sunni, Arabic Shia, nominal Christians (Orthodox, Maronite, Catholics, and Evangelicals). The beauty of this is the mix of diverse ethnic groups who meet in one place at one time to worship the living Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ. It’s in this church environment where spiritual gifts and talents are discovered. Some have the gift of leadership and become students in our Missional Leadership program. This is what we mean when we talk about our ministry being holistic. Our goal is not only to care for their physical and educational needs, but also to share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to “Make Disciples”.  Here is where our students in our Missional Leadership Training have an opportunity to begin to use, in a practical way, what they have been learning.

Our goal for the next three years (starting in 2024) is to prepare for greater opportunities that we believe God has in store because of this current crisis.  How can we accomplish this?  Our Missional Leadership Development Program students now have a practical, hands-on experience as part of their training.  As we develop godly men and women through our Missional Leadership Development Program, they will lead and coach new cell groups every year appointing a group leader for each small group.  Our goal in 2024 is to develop at least 35 small groups, each one with a leader who is mentored by a student in our Missional Leadership Development Program.  All these leaders will be part of our Missional Leadership Development Program in preparation to commit to lead a small group.

We believe that you have played a vital role in getting us to this point and we just want to say THANK YOU so much!

Camille Melki

CEO/Co-Founder

By Admin H4L