Syria Partner Churches

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been a strong partner and supporter of the work of the MECC since its inception in1974. The Council includes all four families of churches in the Middle East, i.e., the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Oriental (non-Calcedonian) Orthodox Churches, the Catholic Churches (Latin and Oriental Rites), and the Evangelical Churches (Reformed, Episcopal, Lutheran and Congregational). It works on issues of Church Unity, Christian Presence in the Middle East, Justice, Peacemaking and Reconciliation, Dialogue with non-Christian Neighbors, Education, Nurture and Renewal, Participation of Youth, Women and Children, Life and Service, Palestinian Refugees and Other Displaced Persons.

National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon

The NESSL may well have been the next-to-earliest active and continuing overseas mission outreach for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), begun in 1823. Through this mission Presbyterian churches throughout Syria and Lebanon were planted, the entire Bible was translated into Arabic and printed in that language for the first time, world-class educational institutions (such as the American University at Beirut, Beirut College for women—now a full university known as Lebanese American University—and some 20 elementary and secondary schools) were established, health institutions, and other ministries were started and have continued to flourish. The church is challenged by rebuilding its membership after a 17-year civil war in Lebanon and devastated conditions resulting from recurring Middle East conflicts.