On August 4th, life in Beirut came to a numbing standstill. A fire ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate, causing a massive exposition in the capital. The initial impact gave way to a reddish plume high above the city's port, and created a shock wave that shattered glass for miles. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced, and hundreds more lost their lives. This could not have come at a worse time, as Lebanon has been pushing through massive unrest due to an ineffective government, and the collapse of the Lebanese pound. A country that was once considered the jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean, is now covered in the ashes of the extreme Islamic ideologies that the militant group, Hezbollah, has forced on their population. Yet this is but the beginning of the story, as God promises that He will trade "beauty for ashes." In the void lies promise and opportunity for a spiritual awakening in their great land. The Barnabas Group ("TBG") is continually working through various ministries to reach the Muslim world. TBG supported ministry, Horizon International, is one of those ministries. The following interview with their Communications Coordinator, Dan Maley, shines light on the work that TBG members are doing in the Middle East:
"Horizons International exists to communicate and demonstrate the love of Jesus to the Muslim world across the globe. Horizons' Lebanon team is a group of Middle Eastern believers from Christian and Muslim backgrounds who have seen thousands of Muslims come to Christ during the Syrian refugee crisis. Horizons partners with dozens of Lebanese churches, and equips them to serve effectively among Muslims.
TBG has come alongside Horizons during a desperate time in Lebanon. Our ministry has faced unprecedented changes in Lebanon. From Covid, to political and economic collapse, and most recently the decimation of Beirut. Several TBG partners have been involved through SWOT analysis meetings with Horizons via ZOOM throughout these unfolding events.
Together we created a digital training platform for use in the MENA region, which was a key opportunity identified during our time with TBG partners. This has proved invaluable, enabling us to quickly create online initiatives and transition from face-to-face engagement to a digital framework for evangelism and discipleship.
With your guidance, we have maximized our opportunities and resources by launching six virtual ministry initiatives:
- Online Evangelistic Video Team
- Curriculum Development Team
- Promotional Video Team
- MEC Online Prayer Team
- Kids Evangelistic Video Team
- Children's Music Team
Horizons is so grateful for the insights and coaching provided by TBG partners to help us turn the challenges of our rapidly changing world into strategic opportunities for the gospel among Muslims!"
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