Bethlehem Bible College - December 2021 Update
Graduates Making a Difference in Christ’s Kingdom
Baseel and Ghaida Daibes are Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) graduates. Baseel graduated in 2016 and Ghaida in 2017, both from the Biblical Studies program. They met at the college, fell in love, and got married in 2015. They now have a beautiful boy named Iyad, and they live in a small town north of Palestine called Zababdeh. They shared:
Bethlehem Bible College had a huge effect on our lives; we learned incredible things about the Bible, and we grew in our faith. But mostly we loved the atmosphere and the relationships between the students, faculty, and staff! The teachers didn’t treat us as students but as friends and family members.
Together, we established a ministry for children and youth in 2018 called the ‘Champions Club.’ The goal is to impart the teachings of the Bible to children in a fun and exciting way. We help enable young people and adolescents to live the Christian life amid the difficult challenges of the world with the help of the Bible.
As ministry leaders, what we learned at the college impacts our ministry in several ways. First, we apply what we learned about preparing lessons, preparing for the service, organizing our time, and our methods of dealing with children and youth. Secondly, from a spiritual point of view, we learned how to be led by the Holy Spirit. So, for example, before preparing each lesson, we take a period of prayer to hear what message the Lord wants us to give to the youth and children.
The town we live in is small and is the only town in the north of the West Bank with a good number of Christians. So, we try to be a light that casts away all the darkness around us through love and respect for our neighbors, as Jesus and the college taught us. Our message is so simple: ‘From a Small Town Comes a Great Ministry!’ Please keep us in your prayers!”
Adham Al Araj is also a Biblical Studies program graduate. He is now in the U.S., continuing his MDiv degree at North Park University, Chicago. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Adham’s visa and travel plans were delayed many times. Adham said: “Being a Palestinian means nothing is easy for you; imagine that, with a global pandemic! Therefore, the visa process took a long time and a lot of work. However, the hand of God was with me in every step, and here I am now at the university achieving my dreams.”
Traveling and living abroad come with a lot of challenges. Adham’s main challenge was living for almost five years away from his family. He reflected on it saying: “I asked myself, can I live away from my parents for such a long time? Will I be able to adapt to a different culture? Will I make new friends? Will there be enough financial support for me to study and live in the states for five years? And most of all, I was worried about the coronavirus problems and fears! How is life going to be for me? How will college life be different with the pandemic?”
Adham is now an ambassador of the college at North Park University, which has a partnership with Bethlehem Bible College. He says that it is an honor for him to share the college’s message and talk about its mission wherever he goes. Adham said that he learned God’s word and how to bring the Bible to the world through BBC. The college also sent him to Dubai for a year to study the Pastoral Internship Program at the United Christian Church in Dubai. This program equips aspiring pastors and leaders with education, training, and ministry opportunities. Adham added: “It is because of the college that I am where I am today in my ministry and studies. I thank God for the college and its leader, Pastor Jack Sara, for taking care of me spiritually and academically and helping me enroll at North Park University.”
Adham’s dream is to serve the Lord in His land. After he finishes his degree, Adham will return to Palestine to continue his ministry and serve his community: “For me serving the Lord in the Holy Land is an honor and a blessing. Christians are leaving the country searching for a better future and hope. But I want to go back and help those people find this hope and the joy it brings. I want to help them find Jesus.”
Read more about Bethlehem Bible College HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Bethlehem Bible College. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help provide scholarships for students in need. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.