The EMS partner church in Lebanon

The Silence of Human Conscience: The War in Lebanon

What should I respond to my seven year old daughter when she is terrified with the news and images of destruction of nearby bridges where we were traveling on hours ago, the demolishing and burning of our only airport that she was running happily in it few weeks ago? What should I say to her when a house and eleven people in it were all killed in one air strike? What should I say to her when a two year old child was literally cut in two halves in a vicious air strike? read more.

The National Evangelical Church of Beirut (NEC)
The National Evangelical Church of Beirut (NEC) is a small but influential church in the heart of Beirut. The NEC grew out of the work of American missionaries who entered Lebanon in 1848. With the help of local and international donations, the first Evangelical church was built in 1870 in the centre of Beirut. During the next hundred years, it became a religious centre for both the English speaking and Arabic communities. 

It was during the first year of the civil war that the church was completely destroyed, except for the bell tower which is still standing today. During the course of the war, the English speaking foreigners had to leave the country whereas the local congregation stayed and survived the war.

Today the NEC runs two schools in Beirut and the Johann Ludwig Schneller School in the Bekaa plain. In addition, it is involved in the ecumenical movement and theological education at the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut. Together with the Ecumenical Committee, it plays a leading role in providing assistance to Sudanese refugees living in Lebanon.

Particular mention should be made of the programme offering a Study in the Middle East (SiMO). Students majoring in theology or the religious education theory are offered the opportunity of spending a theological academic year in the Middle East at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut. The study is meant to promote ecumenical skills as well as interreligious and intercultural dialogue.