B e i r u t – Lebanese Baptists have held their first multi-regional Children’s Day organised by Joseph Al Kazzi, the Lebanese Baptist Union’s new Youth Pastor. Approximately 100 children from eight Baptist congregations aged from seven to 12 years took part in the event held in mid-February on the grounds of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) in Mansourieh near Beirut. A report from the “Baptist Youth and Children’s Ministry” states: “The greatest way to show love to our children is to devote our time to them.” The event’s theme was entitled: “Jesus Drives Away Fear”. Kazzi made clear the fact that in their country, which has suffered repeatedly from political crises and unrest, only Jesus Christ can “release our pain and comfort our souls”. The children responded positively and shared in their own words how their own experiences with God had been very similar.

Games and crafts were also part of the programme. All received small gifts at the closing: sweets and mugs with the youth ministry’s logo on them. Karen Habr (10) reported: “I learned that only God can protect me during times of fear.” Hopefully there will soon be another such day! Andy Daoud (8) was exhuberant: “This was the best day of my life!”

Joseph Al Kazzi has completed his first year as full-time youth pastor for the Lebanese Union. By visiting congregations and speaking with pastors he hopes to raise awareness concerning the lot of children and youth and to offer other such multi-regional events. His service was made possible through the financial support of the German Federation of Evangelical-Free Churches’ “German Baptist Aid” programme.