October 5, 2024

All 53 units are filled with 183 guests from the suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa, and the south of Lebanon.

October 8, 2024

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.
Today, our 1998 graduate shared in our community chapel a message on how to maintain personal peace in the midst of the situation in Lebanon.
With our ongoing commitment to serving our guests, and in collaboration with our sister ministry Salt and Light, we began yesterday a children’s ministry called Do Not Fear that highlights the love of Christ. In addition, our peacemaking team launched a youth program called Ambassadors of Peace, which is built on structured guidelines for dialogue and communication with others. We are also welcoming our guests in our library where they can study or work when needed.
Please keep Lebanon and our ministry in your prayer. May many find the peace of Christ during these challenging times.

October 11, 2024

As Jesus demonstrated His love by washing His disciples’ feet, our guesthouse and kitchen staff are demonstrating His love by washing dishes and doing the guests’ laundry. Please pray for our guests as they grieve being forced out of their homes and lift up our staff in your prayers that God may bless their faithful service and labor of love.

October 14, 2024

Today, our guests from southern Lebanon—who were forced to leave behind their homes and olive groves, the heart of their livelihood—eagerly joined us in picking olives from the few trees that we have on campus. The irony is profound: displaced people, whose lives have been uprooted by war, were working today with olive branches, the very symbol of peace and restoration. We are reminded of the deep longing for peace, and we pray that God, in His mercy, will bring healing and tranquility to the suffering regions of Lebanon.

October 15, 2024

All 53 units are filled with 191 guests from the suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa, and the south of Lebanon.

October 16, 2024

While we pray for the war to end so that our guests can return to their homes safely, we try to serve them in their different needs. Our new Office Coordinator, Mirna, who is a registered nurse, helped us back when we welcomed people after the August 4 Beirut explosion by doing rounds in our guesthouse. Today, she finds herself yet again helping with specific cases one of whom fled the hospital they were being treated at and came directly to find shelter at ABTS. In addition to Mirna’s support, who cares for our guests with love and compassion, we were blessed to have a visit yesterday by a medical team from the Hungarian Baptist Aid. They offered much needed care and consultation to our guests. Please pray that as we care for their physical needs, God would use us to mend their broken hearts!

October 17, 2024

Today in our community chapel, we heard the testimonies of two young participants who had joined our youth program, Andrew and Daniella. Andrew, a teenager, shared how he had to leave his parents behind in their village in the south of Lebanon to stay with his granddad at ABTS. Worried about their safety amid the ongoing war, Andrew found comfort in the program, which encouraged him to express his feelings. Daniella shared that for a year, she and her family endured the terrifying sounds of bombardments in their village. One night, the bombing drew extremely close, and they were forced to flee. Arriving to ABTS, Daniella found a place that not only cared for her family but also gave her the opportunity to express emotions she had been holding in for a year. For the first time, she could talk about the trauma she had endured. Daniella also shared: "I was reminded not to judge others based on what group they come from, and that I need to hear what they believe from them, instead of projecting on them what I think they believe." Following their stories, we heard a message from Elie, reflecting on what the Bible says about enmity. He reminded us of how, once enemies with God, Christ still chose to die for us. Elie encouraged us to follow Jesus' example, loving sinners and even our enemies, no matter how difficult that may seem. Pray for the children and youth who continue to suffer through the terrors of this war. Pray that they may find peace, hope, and healing in Christ.

All 53 units are filled with 195 guests from the suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa, and the south of Lebanon.

October 22, 2024

As the war intensifies, and as we navigate between sleepless nights and grief-stricken days, we continue to rely on God’s steadfast love that extends to our region. We are reminded of this contrast every morning during our community chapel. He is with us through the highs and lows, inviting us to trust Him. Please keep the ministry of ABTS, our students who press on with their studies, our 195 guests, and our country in your prayers!

October 25, 2024

As Jesus demonstrated His love for children, who are precious in His eyes, we at ABTS want to echo His love by serving and caring for our little displaced ones. In the midst of the ongoing war, we are captivated by the glimpses of hope reflected in their laughter and playfulness, which speak louder than the rumblings of war. We are reminded of God’s promises that a day will come, in His restored creation, when the wolf and lamb will feed together, and neither will harm or destroy on His holy mountain. Please pray that, until that day comes, the children of our region will experience the Lord as their shelter and protector, and grow to be His salt and light in their communities.

October 29, 2024

Like many of our activities, the work of our non-formal training team has been disrupted since the war dramatically escalated last month. Yet, with every crisis comes new opportunities to serve. Our team has adapted by focusing on the pressing needs within our campus. One of their key efforts has been to support our guests as they cope with the trauma of war and displacement. After holding a series of meetings with the youth, the team has now shifted their attention to adults, creating regular gatherings that provide a safe space for sharing stories and experiences in an atmosphere of encouragement and support. We have witnessed the Holy Spirit at work through these gatherings.

In addition, the team has organized a training program for worship leaders, designed to equip worship leaders from our staff and the two churches on campus to lead worship effectively.

Our prayer today is that, despite the war and pain, our guests may encounter God in a deeply personal and transformative way.

November 5, 2024

As we navigate the challenges of the ongoing war, we are deeply grateful that our online programs continue to run smoothly. Despite the disruptions and distractions, we continue to gather every morning for community chapel, where we find nourishment and encouragement together. Also, each Friday, one of our students has the chance to practice preaching in our hybrid student chapel, receiving constructive feedback from their professors, fostering growth in both skill and confidence.

Today, we also resumed our faculty meetings. Faculty members who had to leave Lebanon due to the conflict are now teaching remotely from their new locations. In the meeting, we reviewed updates on all our programs and shared news on the progress of our students.

Through it all, we continue to trust in God, sustained by His grace. We pray fervently for peace and mercy in these trying times. Today, we especially lift up our American friends and partners on their election day, praying for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Currently, 171 people are staying at ABTS, as some families have found long-term housing and moved out of our guesthouse.

November 13, 2024

Yesterday marked one of the darkest days of the ongoing war. Following a relatively calmer week, particularly in Beirut, the situation took a sudden and dramatic turn, forcing many who had recently returned home to flee once more. At ABTS, we are committed to embodying Jesus' call to be salt and light amid the darkness by serving our guests and equipping leaders for the Church in the Arab world. We pray that our students too will shine as lights in their own communities.

November 17, 2024

As the war persists, and with some families transitioning to longer-term arrangements, we continue to serve 128 guests in 36 units. This reduced number allows us to sustain our efforts a bit longer for those who need us the most.

November 27, 2024

After enduring the harshest day of the war, we woke up this morning with a deep sense of hope and anticipation for the ceasefire that has been announced.

As is our custom, we gathered in our daily morning chapel to worship God and hear from His Word. Today's message was a timely reminder: in every season—before, during, and after a crisis—we are called to rely fully on God, not on our own strength. This truth anchors our hearts as we press on with our programs and projects, seeking His guidance and provision every step of the way.

Several families who have been sheltering at our guesthouse are now preparing to return to their homes in the Bekaa and the suburbs of Beirut. Meanwhile, many from southern Lebanon will remain with us a bit longer, following the Lebanese Army's advice to wait until it is safe to return.

We invite you to join us in prayer—for the ceasefire to hold firm, for lasting peace to emerge, and for God's protection and strength to carry us through these challenging times.

Since the war started, we have hosted 72 families with 179 adults and 73 children. Today, we continue to serve 124 individuals, mostly from the South of Lebanon, with the first family of four returning to their home after the ceasefire announcement.

November 28, 2024

This morning, a few more families departed ABTS and returned to their homes, leaving our guesthouse filled with 96 guests. It was heartwarming to hear them express their deep gratitude to our team. One family from southern Lebanon shared, “We never felt far from home or displaced. Everything was provided with such care, and the love we experienced here made a huge difference for us.”

A few more families are expected to leave this afternoon, while many will remain until it is safe for them to return.

December 2, 2024

Today, we continue to serve 65 individuals, mostly from the South of Lebanon.

Food expenses included three meals a day. Accommodation was in our well-equipped units in the guesthouse and academic residence, and included cleaning and laundry services and all utilities and amenities.

December 10, 2024

With the ceasefire continuing and families going back gradually, depending on safety in their hometowns. We continue to host 60 individuals, in 19 units, who are mostly from the south of Lebanon. We also continue to hold our community chapel and meetings to encourage and support our guests.

December 17, 2024

Today, we gathered for a Christmas themed chapel in the morning. We praised God and prayed together. Our guesthouse continues to serve 36 guests while many others were able to return home. After arriving back home, one guest shared, “I couldn’t thank you in person before leaving ABTS today, but I want to express my heartfelt gratitude. Your kindness and exceptional care truly stood out. You are amazing—both as individuals and as an organization. God knows how much I speak highly of you and admire your thoughtfulness. Thank you so much!”

December 22, 2024