A faith-based ministry supporting the only K-12 Evangelical Christian School in Israel. |
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Dr. Dick Thomassian
Rev. Dr. Dick Thomassian, 86, left for his eternal home on September 18, 2020 after a period of declining health.
Bro. Dick, as he was affectionately known around the globe, made fifty journeys to the Holy Land. He was a strong advocate for Nazareth Baptist School and Baptist work in the Holy Land.
In the 1990s he and his wife Lois spent a nine month sabbatical in Nazareth and Bethlehem. He taught at Nazareth Baptist School during his sabbatical time in Nazareth and at Bethlehem Bible College when in Bethlehem.
Over the years Bro. Dick brought groups to NBS who would conduct special spiritual emphasis programs. He shared the Gospel tens of times in chapel and in churches in Galilee.
In 2006, Bro. Dick led a group associated with his non-profit organization Training in Mission Evangelism (T.I.M.E.) to adopt Nazareth Baptist School as one of its mission focuses. This adoption led to the formation of the non-profit organization Friends of Nazareth.
FON and NBS would like to extend their heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Lois, his three children, Tim, Joy, and Jane, and his nine grandchildren.
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Empty Classrooms = Upgrade Opportunities |
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Israel has over the past two months experienced the highest new COVID-19 cases in the world on a per capita basis. NBS has been shuttered for most of the school year with students and teachers learning by distant measures. As the school was emptied, the professional services teams have been able to move more quickly to upgrade the safety, security and digital needs of the aged and tired facility.
While some of these improvements seem fundamental, these requirements were not in place as defined by code or in terms of basic needs for a crowded environment with 1000 students.
Slowly, FON is helping usher NBS into the 21st Century. Thank you donors!!!!
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Fire extinguisher are now strategically located throughout the main and Primary school campuses. Each extinguisher is registered and is operational. |
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Fiber optic has been added. All classrooms are wired for computer usage. Previous dead spots, of which there were many, are functional. The internet speed is greatly improved. |
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Flashing alarms are strategically located throughout each building. |
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Each classroom now has a computer desk and a computer. Wiring and electrical was relocated, as needed. Each classroom will have an upgraded computer. New computers are being added to the computer lab. The school is adding a computer coding major and these upgrades will enable the students to enjoy quality teaching with good resources. |
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Forty tablets were provided for the Biblical studies. This cabinet is the charging unit for these tablets. FON's onsite person, Mimi Brookshire is in the process of downloading programs to the tablets and helping teachers use them for more engaging and effective Biblical studies. |
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The school's security system was upgraded so that every area of the school has coverage. These two monitors allow the Principals and others to see all activity within the campus from a central location. |
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The Nazareth Baptist School main campus buildings, which are deeded to NBS, date from about 70 years to 40 years old. This campus had never gone through any type of renovation or revitalization until 2018 when floods demanded action. Friends of Nazareth and local businesses came together to remediate the damages. In 2019 earthquake threats, which still exist, threatened life and property. Again, Friends of Nazareth and local businesses came together to remediate the High School building so that it can withstand an earthquake greater than 4.0.
In 2020 Covid-19 emerged! NBS was not prepared for the Digital Age. Friends of Nazareth and others have helped repair, revitalize and renew the inadequate safety, security and digital features at the school that were necessary for the Digital Age and overall student safety and security. Students are successfully navigating distance learning thanks to significant digital upgrades at NBS. When students return, likely in January, they will have better tools for learning.
As we approach 2021, NBS and Friends of Nazareth are keenly aware that the lack of attention to the buildings cannot be ignored any longer. Failure to correct structural issues threatens the mere existence of the school and its ability to operate as the ONLY Recognized Evangelical ChristianK-12 School in Israel. For years, NBS and FON have dreamed of relocating the school. God has not yet opened this door...despite years and years of intentional effort. Until this door is opened, it is essential that the current property, which was deeded to NBS in 2015 by the International Mission Board (IMB), is not allowed to deteriorate beyond repair.
Thus, Friends of Nazareth is working with NBS and its architect to define essential upgrades to preserve the property and to maintain as much real value as possible while ensuring a safe and secure environment for students to hear the Gospel and see the Gospel in action!
There are issues of almost every description... sewer leaks beneath the courtyard causing it to separate, windows that leak, and decaying roofs are just a few of the more pressing issues.
Thanks to a VERY GENEROUS "friend" we are excited to announce that this supporter has offered to meet FON and NBS halfway toward funding the next set of improvements. Your gifts between now and December 31, 2020 will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $125,000. Praise the Lord!
Will you join him and others in supplying the funds needed to bring NBS up to a reasonable standard? We are excited to announce that the graduates and parents are partnering with FON during this challenge. This is not a one-sided initiative!
Together is better!
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Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. James 5:13
PRAISE THE LORD -
- Students and staff at NBS have been only slightly impacted by COVID-19.
- Teachers and students are becoming more adept at digital learning.
- While schools are closed and reopening is uncertain, the school has managed to operate effectively.
- For the staff and leadership at NBS. They have stepped up during the most difficult of times. Give thanks for how well the students and staff have adapted to challenging and changing conditions.
- NBS appealed to the parents to send any outdated or unused computers to the school for needy students. NBS received seven computers, the IT team upgraded and repaired the computers and provided them to the students who did not have computers.
- Parents have called NBS to thank the teachers for their hard work in helping their students learn during these trying times. Teachers, especially those of special needs students, have done a remarkable job working irregular hours, responding to parents' concerns and helping students succeed.
- Teachers have applied creative teaching techniques in a digital environment by creating games, fun worksheets and other interactive teaching methods unlike anything that they have done in the past.
- Certainly, PTL that NBS has 100% class participation. Only very rarely have teachers had to contact parents about non or low participation by a student. This is remarkable! Everyone, students, teachers and parents are working together to ensure that learning is on pace.
- The advances in science that Israeli medical professionals are discovering. Some of these doctors and scientists are graduates of NBS.
- Nof Hagalil, formerly Nazareth Illit, experienced major fires on October 9, 2020. Thirty percent of NBS' students live in this community, along with many staff members. Thankfully, all students and staff are safe and unharmed by the massive fires.
PRAYER REQUESTS -
- For Israel's economic and social situation to be resolved as COVID-19 is contained and conquered.
- For schools to safely resume on campus classes.
- Spiritual awakening in the Holy Land.
- FON is moving forward with plans for Summer 2021. Please pray for the COVID-19 situation to be resolved, for Israel to open tourism, and for things to return to safe operations.
- Successful Matching Campaign.
PLANS - 2021
- April 19-May 1, 2021. Spiritual Enrichment Journey.
- July 6-24. VBS/Day Camps.
- August 3-21. Potter's Wheel Retreats.
- October 22-26. Student Leadership University, pending SLU Board approval.
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Our latest information suggests that Israel will reopen for tourists in March 2021. Therefore, we have rescheduled our 2021 Spiritual Enrichment Journey (SEJ). Registration is open at www.friendsofnazareth.org. The SEJ originates in Nashville on the afternoon of April 19. Other origination points are available; however, there may be a difference in cost. From Nashville, the group will travel to Chicago and then straight to Tel Aviv. All passengers must depart together from Chicago. We invite you to join us for this life-altering journey. |
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Please mail donations and correspondence for Dr. Roger Mardis to:
Friends of Nazareth
%HBC
219 Simpson Street
Florence, AL 35630
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Friends of Nazareth (FON), A Nazareth Educational Ministries Association (NEMA) Corporation, is a n0n-profit corporation. It is operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code. Our tax ID is: 59-3800059.
FON reserves the right to withhold up to 5% of designated donations for administration.
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Stock Donations:
Please contact the NEMA-FON broker for assistance.
John Dupuis
Wells Fargo Investments
201 N. Court Street
256.764.1000
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Consider setting up a fundraiser on Facebook to benefit Nazareth Educational Ministries Association (Friends of Nazareth). Simply search donations on Facebook. Click on Facebook Shortcuts, Fundraisers. Create your post. Invite friends to participate and post on your homepage.
Facebook does not take a fee for charitable gifts. Therefore, all of the donated funds come directly to NEMA-FON.
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Friends of Nazareth
219 Simpson Street
Florence, AL 35630
470.297.5913
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