July 2, 2020
The past nine months have been a dynamic period to critically observe and engage events in the region and around the globe. During this time, weekly IMES Blog posts stirred discussion about urgent matters ranging from political protests to global pandemic to the role of the Church in increasingly disorienting […]
June 24, 2020
2020 has been an unprecedented year of lockdowns, disruptions, and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The semblance of “normal life” has been forced into a sudden pause worldwide with new senses of normalcy emerging slowly and cautiously. While the crisis is disorienting, even devastating to many, biblical faith encourages […]
June 18, 2020
By Wissam Al-Saliby Amid the protests to the killing of George Floyd, many Evangelical pastors and leaders are speaking up and supporting racial justice, reconciliation, and public institution reform in the United States through Sunday sermons, peaceful protests, and social media. I would like to challenge these pastors and leaders […]
June 10, 2020
by Elie Haddad This COVID-19 pandemic is forcing us to question many things in our lives that we deemed as sacred. At ABTS, given our role of theological education and leadership formation, we are having to question the very essence of education and formation, especially for the purpose of effective […]
June 4, 2020
By Walid Zailaa Long after I hear sermons, the parts that usually remain most vividly in my mind are the pictures painted through the telling of stories. These tales oftentimes resemble my own personal stories, and through them I have learned lessons, come to decisions, and made significant U-turns in […]
May 28, 2020
By Wissam Nasrallah I have always enjoyed going grocery shopping on weekends to buy what my family needs for the week. However, for the past two months, grocery shopping in Lebanon has become quite the psychological and spiritual experience. It is not the gearing up with facemask, gloves and hand […]
May 21, 2020
By Robert Hamd All of us are affected. From the beginning of the popular protest, to the current collapse of the Lira, all of us are affected. What sets this time apart from the bloody era of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1991) is that now we can’t stand behind our […]
May 14, 2020
Since its launching in 2004, the Middle East Consultation (MEC)has annually gathered individuals from around the world to explore important issues confronting the Church in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region and beyond. When the COVID-19 global crisis struck during the early months of 2020, it became apparent […]