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Lebanon
 Representatives from the founding churches helped to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of NEST.
In 2007, the Near East School of Theology (NEST) celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary. NEST was formed in 1932 with the merger of two schools, Presbyterian and Congregational. Theological education through a PC(USA) predecessor denomination began in Beirut sixty-three years before the merger.
NEST President Dr. Mary Mikhael writes, “The celebration was indeed a great witness to the Protestant mission work in the Middle East. Historically, the school has graduated the majority of the pastors and Christian educators that serve the Presbyterian, Armenian Evangelical, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, and many African churches, for which we give God the glory.
“The celebration was shared with representatives from the founding churches — the PC(USA) and the UCC — the Rev. Dr. Victor Makari, the Rev. Dr. John H. Thomas, the Rev. Lydia Veliko, and the Rev. Dale Bishop. Two seminary presidents, the Rev. Dr. Iain Torrance of Princeton Theological Seminary and the Rev. Dr. RiessPotterveld of Lancaster Theological Seminary, were also present. Dr. Robert Worley, former dean of McCormick Seminary, and Mrs. Worley shared in the celebration. There were other Presbyterians in attendance from Presbyterian churches and from the Presbytery of San Francisco. Representatives came also from German, Swiss, Swedish, Dutch, and other partners. We praise God for all those who are part of this great ministry.”
PC(USA) People in Mission
Carol Dolezal-Ng, development associate, Near East School of Theology
Rev. Dr. Nuhad Tomeh, regional liaison, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Iraq, World
Mission (WM)
Partners/Ministries
National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon: Rev. Joseph Kassab, general secretary The National Evangelical Church of Beirut: Rev. Dr. Habib Bader, pastor
Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches: Rev. Dr. Mgardish Karakouzian, president, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, secretary
Supreme Council of Evangelical Churches of Syria and Lebanon: Rev. Dr. Salim Sahiouny, president
Near East School of Theology (NEST), Beirut: Dr. Mary Mikhael, president, Dr. George Sabra, dean
Lebanese American University (formerly Beirut University College): Dr. Joseph Jabbra, president
Jinishian Memorial Program: Mrs. Seta Pamboukian, director
The Syrian Orthodox Church
The Armenian Orthodox Church: His Holiness Aram I, patriarch and catholicos [Antelias, Lebanon: See of Celicia]
The Orthodox Apostolic Church of Antioch and All the East [Greek Orthodox Church] The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land: Rt. Rev. Munib Younan, bishop
Beirut Evangelical School for Boys and Girls
Tripoli Evangelical School for Boys and Girls
Sidon Evangelical School for Boys and Girls
Zahle Evangelical School for Girls and Boys
Nabatieh Evangelical School for Girls and Boys
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Kyeasha Ward, BOP
Callie Weber, FDN
Thank you, Lord, for the witness of our Christian partners and friends in Lebanon. We pray for that country, its leaders, and its people that they may experience the grace of living in peace with one another and with their neighbors. Amen.
Ps. 50, 147:1–11 Ps. 53, 17
Amos 8:1–14
Rev. 1:17–2:7; Matt. 23:1–12
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