September 24, 2020

Middle East Conversations 2020 Webinar Report: Rethinking Missions During Pandemic: Considerations from the Middle East

Contemporary models of Christian missions have been tested by the unprecedented conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent months the realities of social distancing, travel restrictions, increased government tracking, and economic decline have challenged the way missionaries, sending agencies, and receiving ministries conduct “business.” While a sense of frustration is […]
September 14, 2020

Christians and Muslims Praying Together: Compromise or a Sign of Hope?

By Tim Brys, Martin Accad and Brent Hamoud When COVID-19 hit Lebanon in February 2020 bringing the country to a near standstill, the team at the Institute of Middle East Studies was challenged to rethink its peacebuilding initiatives in light of new social-distancing realities. This was quite difficult for programs […]
August 27, 2020

Middle East Conversations 2020 Webinar Report: No Space or New Space? Navigating Exceptional Times as the New Normal for the Local Church

As churches worldwide remain largely empty to mitigate health risks of COVID-19, profound questions are being asked about the very nature of church. Virtual formats indeed provide many congregations with valuable engagement methods, but prolonged physical distancing is proving a daunting and disorienting ordeal for faith communities. 2020 is an […]
July 23, 2020

Middle East Conversations 2020 Webinar Report: COVID-19 and Theological Education in the Middle Eastern Context: Between Mounting Challenges and Emerging Opportunities

COVID-19 has disrupted all areas of life, not least of which is the area of education. These past months have revealed the many ways in which prevailing models of instruction and learning come into direct conflict with measures required to minimize health risks of the pandemic. The impact of this […]
June 24, 2020

Middle East Conversations 2020 Webinar Report and Video- A Dynamic Pause: Reflections on Simplicity, Purpose, and Transformation in this Time of Pandemic.

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

From George Floyd to Iyad al-Hallaq: Can the American Church Also Engage with the Palestinian?

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

Pandemic and the Body of Christ: Rethinking the Local Church

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

The Power of Stories

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 […]