Hope for Lebanon: Summer Programs at Hope Evangelical Church

Introduction:Join Elio Constantine as he speaks with Bashir from the Hope Evangelical Church in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. They discuss the current situation in Lebanon and the exciting summer plans at the church, focusing on how people are finding hope in Christ amidst ongoing challenges.




Key Discussion Points:

• Current Situation in Lebanon: Despite a tough season marked by conflict and despair since September 2024, a ceasefire has led to a somewhat improved situation with a decline in shelling and airstrikes. Local elections are taking place, signaling a sense of change and hope on the horizon, though true hope is emphasized to be found only in Christ.
  
  
  
• Summer Plans at Hope Evangelical Church:
  • Couples Conference: This conference will focus on strengthening family and marriage relationships for both married and engaged couples. The importance of this event is highlighted by the increasing social acceptance of divorce and the church's role in recentering families on the Gospel. Bashir shares a testimony of the church's ministry successfully helping a couple reconcile and stop divorce proceedings.
    
    
    
  • Children's Camps:
    • Sunday School Kids Camp: A three-day camp for 80-100 (or more) Sunday school children, featuring Bible lessons, fun activities like inflatables and songs, and an outing day.
    • HOPE Educational Program Camps: Separate camps are planned for students in the morning and afternoon programs of the HOPE Educational Program.
    • Children at Risk Program Camp: Another camp will be held for children in the Children at Risk program.
    • The hosts emphasize the significant impact these camps have on children's lives, providing a safe and fun environment to learn about the Gospel and find hope amidst difficult circumstances. Elio shares a personal testimony of accepting Christ and meeting his wife at a summer camp when he was 16 years old.
      
      
      
      
      
  • Teenagers Conference: A conference specifically for teenagers is being prepared, with many teens saving money to attend. The prayer is that this conference will have a life-changing impact, similar to Elio's experience.
    
    
    
  • Young Adults Conference: An annual conference for young adults is scheduled for the end of August/beginning of September, which consistently leads to people deciding to follow Christ.
  • Church/Family Conference: The church is preparing for a large "family conference." The previous one was held on October 7th, the same day as the attacks in Israel, but was a powerful time focused on holiness. Last year's conference was canceled due to the war in Lebanon.
    
    Worship Night: A major event is planned at Hope Evangelical Church, Zahleh, featuring a Christian singer from the U.S. and a clear message from the Bible, offering attendees the opportunity to follow Jesus.

Call to Action:Listeners are encouraged to pray for:

• All current and upcoming activities at Hope Evangelical Church.
• The team ministering to families in Lebanon.
• The couples retreat, and Bashir's leadership in reconciling broken families.
• The children's ministry and camps, that they would be significant and focused on Christ.
• The teens, youth, and young adults, and their planned activities.
• The worship night and the church conference.
• Bashir and his family, and all the families served, that they trust in Christ alone for hope, rather than political changes.

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