Non-Formal Training in Egypt and Syria
As a serious provider of theological education, with a wide spread of formal programs all the way up to a doctoral level, we are very excited about the growth of our non-formal training. This is mainly because it has been growing organically at ABTS, taking the high-quality material that our faculty use in a formal setting and repackaging them for use in a non-formal setting while maintaining the same quality and seriousness. While peacemaking has been at the core of our non-formal training, the variety of offerings is growing as well. Not only that, but the geographical reach of our non-formal program is also steadily growing.
In the last few weeks, two of our faculty members delivered more non-formal education outside Lebanon. Bassem Melki, the Director of our NFT (non-formal training) department and Assistant Professor Abed El Kareem Zien El Dien traveled to Egypt and Syria for these training opportunities.
In Egypt, Bassem and Abed worked with several groups: Egyptian, Sudanese, and Yemeni leaders and their families. The main theme was on family reconciliation. Reflecting on this visit, Bassem commented, “These leaders are true ambassadors of the Lord. The fact that each leader comes from a different background to serve and worship regardless of the pain and the rough path of life is a testimony of His work.” Thankfully, the participants found the workshops very helpful and expressed their need for more opportunities like this.
In Egypt, Bassem and Abed worked with several groups: Egyptian, Sudanese, and Yemeni leaders and their families. The main theme was on family reconciliation. Reflecting on this visit, Bassem commented, “These leaders are true ambassadors of the Lord. The fact that each leader comes from a different background to serve and worship regardless of the pain and the rough path of life is a testimony of His work.” Thankfully, the participants found the workshops very helpful and expressed their need for more opportunities like this.
In Syria, Bassem, with his wife Roula, and Abed led a conference on reconciliation and peacemaking for the Syrian Baptist Union pastors and spouses. Although they did not know what to expect, the participants were excited to meet under one roof for the first time in twenty years. Once the ice was broken, it became clear that the Lord had a plan to guide them through their spiritual and personal challenges. Pastor Mazen Hamati and his wife Rania reflected on this time together:
We were very thrilled to participate in the reconciliation training for individuals, which was held for the first time for pastors and their spouses. The sessions offered valuable biblical insights into the challenges we’ve faced at home and in church. This encouraged me as a pastor, and my wife as a women's minister, to begin organizing study groups on the topic of reconciliation among individuals.
Abed explained that this training was crucial for rebuilding trust and fostering essential healthy relationships among Baptist ministers while resting in the Lord. Roula’s presence was needed to provide a listening ear and encourage the women who were able to share with her their thoughts and personal challenges.
We feel humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to play a small part in what the Spirit is doing among these churches and their leaders. The non-formal training is proving to be a powerful catalyst for change. We are grateful to God of the way He is shaping this program and the opportunities that He is giving us to serve His Church in the Arab world.
We feel humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to play a small part in what the Spirit is doing among these churches and their leaders. The non-formal training is proving to be a powerful catalyst for change. We are grateful to God of the way He is shaping this program and the opportunities that He is giving us to serve His Church in the Arab world.
Fellowship Time with Sudanese Graduates and Students in Egypt
During the Non-Formal training in Syria