During Lebanon’s recent war, numerous ministries and organizations stepped up to address the overwhelming physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. In response, our peacemaking team invited church and NGO leaders for a dedicated time of reflection and shared learning. This gathering provided a much-needed space to pause, listen, and gain wisdom from one another’s experiences. The event aimed not only to assess collective responses but also to identify key lessons and distill valuable insights to inform future action.

The attendees represented 9 NGOs and 16 churches that were involved in serving displaced families. They shared about their efforts in providing legal aid, medical care, mental health support, education, spiritual guidance, and humanitarian aid. The data gathered from them showed that their teams impacted over 11,000 people. For most attendees, the word of God was the foundation of their ministry, compelling them to serve others. One participant shared that even the secular organizations that they partnered with testified to Christ’s presence through the work of His servants.

Testimonies revealed several critical lessons: Working together builds stronger networks; God’s sovereignty brings reconciliation and forges new relationships across divides; and service must be rooted in love, not personal agendas. Despite challenges like burnout and uncoordinated efforts, attendees reflected on how these struggles led to rediscovered humility, patience, and a renewed commitment to a shared mission. This gathering reminded us that the church is called to act, especially in times of chaos.