On September 10, we posted an urgent appeal from the Evangelical Community of Syria and Lebanon as a reminder of the crisis facing the churches in the Middle East.

Following that posting, the Board of General Ministries Executive Committee, the representative board of ABCUSA, voted the resolution below.

VOTED: That in response to the letter we have received from the supreme council of the evangelical churches of Lebanon and Syria regarding the crises for Christians in many Muslim majority countries we consider relief and refugee resettlement efforts a priority for our denomination.

 

Read the original posting about an urgent appeal received by Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We post this urgent appeal from the Evangelical Community of Syria and Lebanon as a reminder of the crisis facing the churches in the Middle East.

ABC has been active on a number of fronts both with advocacy with our government, funding through the World Relief Committee for refugees, consultation with Muslim and interfaith groups for an end to violence against Christians and other minority religions in the region, working through the Baptist World Alliance, World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches on support for the churches.

In October, ABCUSA will be participating in a visit of Christian and Muslim leaders from Egypt. Likewise, I was privileged to be part of a small delegation of US faith leaders that met with both the Sudan Ambassador to the US and the Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs to speak on behalf of Miriam Ibrahim’s release when she was sentenced to hang for not renouncing her Christian faith. Prayers are much needed on behalf of sisters and brothers who suffer.

In Christ,
Roy

Beirut September 10, 2014

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Below please find a scanned copy of the official English translation of the “Urgent Appeal from the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon to All the Evangelical and Protestant Churches and Organizations Across the World“ that was issued late last week.  Please spread it as widely as possible because of its urgency.

I kindly ask you to disseminate it to all the Protestant churches, organizations, individuals and leaders whom you deem should receive it, as well as to all your Protestant friends across the world.

Click here to view the appeal.

As you are well aware, the situation is getting worse by the day; and we are truly concerned about our future presence and witness as Christians in this region of the world. 

In God we trust, and in His hands we commit ourselves. 

Supreme Council Of The Evangelical Community In Syria And Lebanon
Rev. Dr. Salim Sahiouny, President