Estimates are that more than one million people are currently displaced in Lebanon. Most are from southern Lebanon, having been forced to flee the latest hostilities. Many went to Beirut, but 50 miles north, people in the town of Tripoli saw waves of displaced people arrive.

The National Evangelical Church of Tripoli, one of the churches in the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), sought ways to offer relief. At the same time, the Compassion Protestant Society (CPS), the diaconal arm of NESSL, discerned how local churches could respond meaningfully to the growing humanitarian needs of the crisis.

Two days. Two locations. More than 400 women.

It was a busy weekend in early May for some of the staff of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) as they traveled to Syria for two, one-day women’s conferences. The events were something of a regional mini retreat, a glimpse of the larger gathering that occurs each year in Lebanon.

In total, these spring gatherings brought together more than 400 women; the first in Latakia and the second near Homs, both locations in Syria. Under the theme “standing firm with unwavering courage, God is forging a new path,” the conferences were time for women to connect, to share stories, to worship, and to pray.

“The drums of war have returned to our doorsteps once again. The sounds of sirens, missile explosions, panicking neighbors, and children crying ring louder and longer. We have been here before… Our skin is thicker now, and our nerves are adapting with each passing day. Yet something about this moment feels darker than anything that came before,” wrote Musalaha’s Executive Director Daniel Munayer at the end of March, amid the region’s rising hostilities.
 
That context of hostility isn’t exactly new for Musalaha, which works in both Israel and Palestine. They’ve been operating in such a context for some time. But, as Munayer reflects, somehow this time feels darker than anything that has come before.

Founded in 1930, The Evangelical Church at Basion once functioned primarily as a small American elementary school. By the early 2000s, however, the church was in decline as members slowly left the area, migrating towards larger cities. Eventually, no members were left, and no pastor was willing to serve the church in Basion.

And so, for 15 years, The Evangelical Church at Basion closed, and its building sat empty. Until recently.

As part of their initiative to revitalize the village churches throughout Egypt, the Pastoral, Outreach, and Mission Council (POMC) of the Synod of the Nile got involved and sent an evangelistic pastor to Basion to revitalize the church.

In the early hours of March 2, countless residents in southern Lebanon were told to evacuate. Within hours, highways jammed as people fled.

Early estimates were that more than 50,000 people were displaced in one day, and that number rises with each day as evacuation orders expand.

Where do those internally displaced people go? The simple answer, wherever they can find shelter.

Paul’s words to the church in Corinth echo true in this heavy and uncertain moment as war once again casts a long shadow over the Middle East. Violence, fear, and instability have a way of affecting everyone – families, churches, ministries, and the most vulnerable in communities. No one remains untouched.

In such circumstances, it would be easy to despair and to give up hope. And yet, our partners throughout the Middle East are responding differently. Below is a brief update on our partners who find themselves in the midst of uncertainty and upheaval.

Veronica and the Musalaha team see their mission as continually bringing the spirit of forgiveness and responsibility into their context – opening hearts, healing wounds, and helping build a more just, healthy, and whole society. With this conviction, the team works tirelessly with the Mixed Cities group, Young Adults, the Muslim-Christian Civil Society Group, and the Palestinian Women’s Group.

From the heart of the city where Jesus was born comes a testimony of hope and transformation, then we move south to the Arabian Peninsula — a region of attractiveness and wonder. Amid deserts and skyscrapers, God is at work through God’s people.

Under the leadership of its new president, Dr. Martin Accad, Near East School of Theology (NEST) has embarked on a new and promising chapter – one marked by hope and action.

Amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic and political instability, NEST persevered with remarkable resilience. During the violent conflict that shook the country between September 2024 and January 2025, the school kept its doors open and reached out in service to displaced families in the surrounding neighborhood.

In our last update on the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC), we shared the sad news of the seminary’s loss of three beloved professors (see previous update). And yet, despite this loss and its challenging consequences for the seminary, ETSC did not get discouraged. Instead, in grace and resilience, ETSC moved forward and continues its mission to form leaders and pastors for the Arabic-speaking church. 

Exciting News from Lebanon – The Philemon Project GROW!

On May 1, 2025, our partner, the Philemon Project, celebrated the launch of GROW’s second center, expanding its reach in offering exceptional early Christian childhood development and adult mentoring programs.

Arabic New Testament in the Kuwaiti Dialect: One-of-a-Kind Project

Did you know that the Arabian Gulf is home to approximately 4-5 million Christians?! While most are expatriates, Kuwait has a small but vibrant native Christian community. What makes this community so uniquely strategic is its natural access to local non-Christians. As Kuwaiti citizens, they live and work among friends, neighbors, and colleagues who have often never encountered the message of Jesus in a personal or understandable way.

We are delighted to share that on June 7th, Bethlehem Bible College celebrated the graduation of 41 students—31 from our main campus in Bethlehem and 10 from our partner institution, Nazareth Evangelical College. This class represented nearly all our academic programs, including the MA in Theology in the Public Square, the BA and diploma in Biblical Studies, our Online Biblical Studies program, and the Hebrew diploma. We are incredibly proud of each graduate and the perseverance they have shown through challenging times.

Dear Supporters-

We write to you with heavy hearts, as our beloved land is once again caught in the midst of war and violence. The ongoing turmoil in the region has brought not only fear and uncertainty but also a deepening economic crisis. The closures across the West Bank have made daily life increasingly difficult for our staff, students, and community.

Every season of change brings both opportunities and challenges. As we give thanks for the faithful and fruitful legacy of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s World Mission Ministry, we continue to receive challenging news from our partners who have been affected by the discontinuation of the Ministry’s work. One such partner is the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC). Since 1863, ETSC has been dedicated to preparing and equipping pastors and church leaders to serve in Egypt and beyond.

Across Syria and Lebanon, members of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) continue to serve faithfully in the face of great hardship. Years of war, political unrest, and economic collapse have left both countries deeply scarred. Yet, the churches remain strong and resilient, determined to preserve their Christian witness and serve their communities in the name of Christ.

Among these faithful servants are the women of the church, especially the many lay leaders, who play a vital role in the life and ministry of their congregations. They draw strength from knowing that their global Christian family sees them, prays for them, and supports them with love and tangible encouragement.

At The Outreach Foundation, we are continually inspired by the vibrant and courageous ministry of our partner, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers, which empower this church to fulfill its mission. Today, we are happy to share a glimpse of how God is moving through our partners in Egypt.

“Our region desperately needs your prayers and support.” This is the heartfelt plea from our partner, Together for the Family (TFF). In the land where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26), Christians and other minority groups are enduring unbearable economic, religious, and social hardships. Syria’s collapsed economy and Islamist rule have forced millions to flee in search of safety. Many have sought refuge in Lebanon, a country grappling with its own deepening crisis.