Lebanese Baptists Look to a Bright Future in Prayers & Evangelism

A series of explosions throughout the past two weeks
has rocked the Christian neighbourhood near the capital of Lebanon, Beirut. Despite social and political instability, Lebanese Christians hold onto the hope of a bright future when they focus on prayers and evangelism.

The Baptist Times have reported about the mission initiative of the Lebanese Baptists as part of the evangelical Christians in the country to reach out to the thousands of demonstrators on the streets in Beirut.

The demonstration was triggered by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in mid-February which has been widely blamed on Syria and therefore sparked protests from Lebanese nationalists.

One-fourth of the country's citizens took to the streets to demonstrate for the departure of Syrian occupation forces and many demonstrators are Christians who support a "free, independent and sovereign Lebanon".

Lebanese Christians have therefore planned together with other Christians to pitch a small mission tent at the same place where they can pray for their country and distribute Bibles. During the Prague Council sessions of the European Baptist Federation (EBF) in mid-March, Costa appealed to Baptists from across Europe to pray for this missionary endeavour.

The Baptist Times reported that Lebanese evangelicals have started distributing one million New Testaments among the crowds. On this Sunday, the inauguration of the prayer tent will be held in Freedom Square, Beirut.

"This is a very strategic initiative at a crucial moment in the history of our country and a very natural occasion to witness to the love of Christ in a personal way," said Dr Paul Sanders, Dean of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, run by the Lebanese Baptist Society.

In addition, Lebanese evangelicals will continue to offer prayers for the recovery of Basil Fleihan, the only Protestant member of the Lebanese Parliament, former Finance Minister. He was seriously wounded by the bomb which killed former Prime Minister Hariri.

Fleihan was sitting in Hariri's car when the attack occurred. 95 percent of Fleihan's flesh was burned and doctors have said that it is a miracle that he has survived his severe injuries.

Before the 1975-1990 civil war broke out in Lebanon, Christians used to have the upper hand in the national assembly. During the war in which Christians and Muslims disputed for power and influence in the political arena, Syria alternately supported the Christian and Muslim sides, therefore Christians in general are in opposition to the influence of Syria in Lebanon.

Lebanon has 23 Baptist congregations with a total membership of 2,000.