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Development Associate for Interpretation & Support
Near East School of Theology – Beirut, Lebanon
Carol Dolezal-Ng
From the cornfields of Iowa to the war-ravaged streets of west Beirut, it has been a long journey of faith, hope, and struggle for Carol Dolezal-Ng, but one that she has nevertheless been called by God to undertake.
Born on a farm in Iowa and raised in the Presbyterian Church, Carol experienced a spiritual awakening following her service in 2004 as an elder commissioner to the 216th General Assembly. “Coming home from the General Assembly, I knew my call was to interpret the assembly’s actions with respect to the Middle East,” Carol explains. This passion to become better educated as to the complexities and critical needs of the Middle East led her to a trip there in Spring 2006, which included a life-transforming visit to the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut.
NEST, an interdenominational Protestant theological seminary serving the Evangelical churches of the Middle East and Africa, was established by the PC(USA) in the early 19th century. Having maintained and deepened its strong historic ties to the Presbyterian Church, today NEST claims a wide circle of friends and supporters in the U.S. and around the world. It is in connection with that latter group that Carol, a professional communicator and fundraiser, has been called to serve NEST to assist in interpreting its mission and to strengthen the base of support for that mission.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you and remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Carol acknowledged God’s hand in her itinerary. “NEST is something I feel strongly about,” she says, “It is essential that we have a presence in the Middle East to train Christian leaders and help support a continuing presence of Christians in the Middle East, especially now, as NEST’s ministry is once again challenged from the conflict and power struggles in the Middle East.”
A member of First Presbyterian Church, Oakland, Ca., since 1987, Carol resides with her husband, the Rev. Bill Ng., and their twins, Grace and Jeremy, at the Berkeley Presbyterian Mission Homes, where Bill is resident manager. In her position with NEST, Carol will remain U.S.-based, making regular trips to Beirut.
As she awaits the opportunity to serve, Carol finds guidance in Romans 12:12-13, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
“With all the division about the Middle East within our denomination,” she concludes, “I believe NEST is a ministry where we can build bridges, and in which my gifts could make a difference.”
Projected Annual Costs for Carol Dolezal-Ng
(estimated as of 8/07)
Salary: $27,000
Benefits: $16,500
Housing provided on the NEST campus: $10,200
Travel: $1,000
Other support needs: $4,000
Contingencies: $2,000
Funding expenses: $3,135
Total annual cost: $65,835
Total for 3-year deployment: $197,505
Carol Dolezal-Ng stands ready to serve God. But she needs your help. She needs your financial support as indicated above.
To make a pledge to Joining Hearts & Hands, a campaign to renew the Presbyterian Church for mission, call (888) 728-7228 x5611 or click on the donate button.
Download this flier to print 
Contributions can be sent by mail to:
Presbyterian Church, Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
You may designate your contribution for Carol by including her name on the memo of your check along with the following identification number MI910003. |
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