Some of the most meaningful conversations begin with an honest question.

That was true this summer when Near East School of Theology (NEST) welcomed AfterDark, the college and young adult ministry of nearby Resurrection Church, to its campus for an “Ask a PhD Anything” event.

The program brought dozens of young people between the ages of 18 and 22, ranging from “seekers” and young believers to more mature Christian youths of the church, to the NEST campus in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon.

The invitation was simple: ask any question. Nothing was off limits.

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.

New chapters in life are like delicate sprouts—full of promise, excitement, and hope, yet requiring careful nurturing to thrive. Our partner in Lebanon, the Near East School of Theology (NEST), is embarking on such a chapter under the leadership of its new president, Dr. Martin Accad, who took office in September 2024 as the eleventh president. Dr. Accad brings a profound wealth of experience in theological education, interfaith dialogue, and leadership within academic and socioreligious communities. His vision is clear: to strengthen NEST’s academic excellence and broaden its impact and reach across the region.

The Near East School of Theology (NEST) is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Martin Accad as its 11th president, effective September 1, 2024. Dr. Accad brings a wealth of experience in theological education, interfaith dialogue, and leadership within the academic and socioreligious communities.