Press Releases

Middle East Crisis Update

War between Israel and Hezbollah militants began on July 12th. The conflict continues, leaving behind destruction to buildings and thousands of displaced families. “Let us pray for all those who are affected by this crisis as they share the love of Christ to those in need” stated World Mission Director Louis Bustle.

Residents in the southern cities of Lebanon were urged by Israel to flee their homes. Those who were able to leave, arrived in Beirut seeking shelter in schools and with extended families. Many families are finding help in the form of food, medicines, housing, diapers, and prayers at the three Nazarene Churches in Beirut.

“The Nazarenes in Beirut are all ok,” explains Pastor Raja Nawaisser. “We endured the bombings the first week of the war, and our children were very afraid. And now our people, who are poor themselves, are reaching out to the people coming from the south who have nothing. We expect the humanitarian crisis to continue long after the fighting has stopped.”

Lindell Browning, Eastern Mediterranean Field Director for the Church of the Nazarene, along with NCM, is putting out a worldwide appeal for help. “This war has put thousands in an immediate crisis, but it has also opened a window of opportunity for us that we rarely have to share the gospel. I am so proud of our Lebanese Nazarenes who have been serving tirelessly for the past two weeks caring for the refugees. Right now we have people on our doorsteps hungry, tired and needing our help, but we have run out of supplies.”

“The saddest part of all wars,” says Gustavo Crocker, Eurasia Regional Director, “is that those in the middle of the conflict: children, women, innocent civilians lose their lives, their possessions, and their sense of belonging. People who yesterday had a home and a family are now refugees and fragmented families. Nazarenes around the globe can be proud of the work that the Church in Lebanon is doing to help their neighbors.”

On July 19, two missiles hit Nazareth. One hit and killed two small boys and the other one hit only 200 yards from the Nazarene church and parsonage. Feeling God's protection, the church still had a prayer meeting that night.

The Brownings state they are under heightened security in Jeruselem, but are currently in no danger. "Our prayer is that a ceasefire will come soon and the fears, trauma, and tragedy of war will end. It is again a time of sadness and pain in the Middle East, but we know God is sovereign even in time of war. Pray for our people whose hearts long for peace."

The Eastern Mediterranean Field and NCM is asking Nazarene churches to respond with special offerings this Sunday and individuals who will give online or by check to help our brothers and sisters in Beirut reach out to with help and hope. “Right now we have hope, but not a lot of help,” states Lindell Browning. “People don’t want to know what you know until they see how much you care. We need a big response from Nazarenes this week so we can show hundreds of people how much we care for them, and then they might get curious to know who we know.”

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation can mark their checks “Middle East Crisis Response ACM1645” and mail them to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Immediate donations may also be made online at ncm.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2006

View a printable version

• On-line using VISA or MasterCard
• OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
• and mail to:
  General Treasurer
  6401 The Paseo
  Kansas City, MO 64131
• In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
• and mail to:
  Church of the Nazarene Canada
  20 Regan Road, Unit 9
  Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.