Growing Beyond Despair
Education in Times of War
While challenges continue in Lebanon, the weight of uncertainty is deeply felt. Yet in the midst of this reality, we remain committed to serving the Church by equipping leaders for effective ministry. As children of the Almighty, we are called not to despair, but to seek meaning in hardship. Rather than withdrawing from the struggles around us, we step forward in faith, trusting in His presence and guidance. We believe that it is God who continues to form faithful and thoughtful leaders, especially in times like these.
By God’s grace, so far, this Academic year, all of our programs are running without interruption. Faculty remain fully engaged in teaching and mentoring, while also staying attentive to the emotional burden carried by some of our students. At ABTS, we strongly believe that theological education is not merely academic, but something to be lived out in practice. In times like these, this formation becomes especially vital, as Christ is the anchor of both faith and ministry.
Abdulrahman, one of our Bachelor of Theology students currently staying at the guesthouse due to the war, shared:
Because of the war, I am serving people from diverse cultures and backgrounds who have been displaced. At ABTS, I am learning how to care effectively for those from different backgrounds, and I believe God is using my studies to shape and guide my ministry. As I serve, I often find myself connecting what I am doing with what I am learning.
Alongside teaching, faculty meetings continue as planned and usual efforts to further develop the program remain ongoing. For example, drawing on the experiences of recent cohorts, faculty are working to enhance the research methodology component of the program, with further improvements expected to be implemented next year. In addition, while each student faces unique challenges such as displacement, conflict, or persecution, faculty continue to support them with flexibility, care, and guidance.
Kees van der Knijff, MTh Program Lead, commented:
Focusing on studies is not always easy during a time like this. Yet, we feel it gives our students a sense of purpose and stability to continue working towards their degree. In the end, we are not studying theology in an ivory tower, but in the midst of real life. The current situation raises a lot of theological questions that our students and faculty wrestle with together during the courses.
As we move forward, though not without difficulties, God gives us the courage to persevere. We are grateful for His sustaining grace and love each day. We pray that our students will remain steadfast in their studies and in their ministries, despite the many challenges they face.
Faculty Meeting
Abdulrahman serving in his church
Kees, MTh Program Lead