A faith-based ministry supporting the only Recognized K-12 Evangelical Christian School in Israel. |
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Crisis in the Land - Pray |
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Thankfully, our FON team is safe.
Pray for our friends and servants who are in Nazareth. Pray that the school remains a safe zone.
At the same time pray for peace and safety. In the end, may God use this season for His good!
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School Has Civil Defense Exercise |
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After almost 14 months of closure, the school has reopened for all students. Covid-19 cases are markedly lower after an aggressive vaccine program. Thus, enabling schools and other establishments to return to more normal practices. NBS is so thankful for the prayers for students and teachers during the unprecedented time of distant learning and making adjustments for constantly changing circumstances. Teachers and students are working hard to finish the school year strong.
Pictured above are students and staff gathered at the Primary School courtyard to learn how to respond in the event of an earthquake. A similar drill was held at the Main School. These drills are intended to raise awareness and teach the staff and students how to respond in the event of an earthquake or other emergency.
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Inspectors for Christian Schools Meet at NBS |
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NBS hosted a visit for the Ministry of Education, Inspector of Christian Schools, Jiries Mansour. He was joined by a team of eight inspectors. They toured the school, heard from NBS administrators and principals about the school, and enjoyed a musical concert by some of NBS' talented students. Additionally, Aziz Banna, a High School Hebrew teacher and licensed tour guide, gave them a guided walking tour of Nazareth. |
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The window replacement initiative continues. Not only do the new windows look attractive, but they also provide much-needed sound abatement and energy control.
Thank you FON donors for your continuing efforts to update the tired, dated, and inefficient campus. The students, parents, and teachers are very appreciative of the value-added improvements.
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The parents' and graduates' committee met to plan an upcoming fund-raising event for NBS. This group hosts at least one such event annually. The proceeds from each fund-raising event are used to help with special projects, such as outdoor furnishings for the courtyard at the Main School, classroom needs, and overall enrichment.
The upcoming event will have a professional comedian as the main entertainment.
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Teachers and administrators were able to gather for an Eastern Easter (May 2) time of worship and spiritual enrichment. This was the first time that the staff was able to gather as one since the Covid-19 onset in March 2020.
It was a special time for fellowship, spiritual teaching, singing together, and reflecting upon the reason for the Easter season.
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The school issued a statement of grief for the 45 attendees who were killed at an Ultra-Orthodox gathering in Northern Israel. The statement was adopted by all Israeli Christian schools.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families who lost loved ones in the tragic accident.
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K-4th grade students watched a video produced by NBS for Eastern Easter. The students were challenged to memorize John 3:16. They were given a craft project that supported the Biblical lesson. Each classroom competed for the most participation.
Pray that God's Word grows in the heart and mind of each student.
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Dr. Nahel Asfour, Lawyer, and NBS Board Member recently was presented an award for excellence in teaching at the Hertzilya Inter-Disciplinary Center and University where he teaches law.
He is a graduate of NBS as are his sisters. His nieces and nephews attend NBS.
We extend our congratulations to Dr. Asfour.
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Left to right, front row. Donna Chisam, Executive Director; Roger Mardis, President; Brian Hall, Chaplain, Kaye Turner, Board Member.
Left to right, back row. Tyson Lee, Incoming Executive Director; David Pierce, Ambassador Chairman; and Chris Underwood, Vice President of the Board.
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On May 3-4, 2021 the NEMA-FON Board met in person and digitally. Najed Azzam, Chairman of the NBS Board was an invited guest and joined digitally from Nazareth along with Mimi Brookshire. The group heard exciting reports about the ministry initiatives, prayed for the many needs, and approved the 2021-22 fiscal year budget. |
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Farah Samawi, NBS graduate, and daughter of Rajai and Samar Mansour Samawi, has authored her first book, Why we Think. Proceeds from the book will go to support mission work with the Greek and Turkish refugees. The book will be available on Amazon in the coming weeks.
Her mother and late grandmother are both NBS graduates. Her father is the pastor of the Baptist Church in Nof HaGalil, Israel, a neighboring city to Nazareth. Farah is a self-described bookworm who is interested in apologetics. We wish you well as you promote your first published work.
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FON Welcomes Two New Board Members |
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Marquita is a seasoned traveler to the Holy Land and a faithful FON volunteer. She is currently an elementary school music teacher with over 21 years of teaching experience in the Oklahoma school system.
She is married to Brian who serves as the Minister of Music for Bethel Baptist Church, Norman, OK. Bethel is pastored by Matt Brown who has led his church to be a Friends of Nazareth partner. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.
Brian and Marquita serve as FON Ambassadors. Brian will continue as an Ambassador as Marquita starts her term on the Board.
Missions has been a integral part of her Christian life. She and Brian will continue to lead summer teams from Bethel.
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Clayton is from Arlington, TN. He serves as the Director of Admissions at Serenity Recover Center, a non-profit alcohol and drug treatment facility in Memphis. He has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in chemical dependency counseling.
He is married to Michelle Murchison Pattat, a Nurse Practitioner specializing in ENT. They have four sons. Michelle's mother, Lynda Murchison, served as Treasurer and FON Board Member prior to her death three years ago. Their son, Eli, served as a FON intern in Nazareth in 2018.
Clayton and Michelle serve as FON Ambassadors. Michelle will continue as an Ambassador. They too are seasoned travelers to the Holy Land. They love NBS and Nazareth. Clayton also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Shelby County Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and Michelle are active members of Bellevue Baptist Church.
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PRAISE THE LORD -
- For the school's reopening!
- The window replacement project is underway. It is due to be completed before the new school year.
- FON's donors and prayer warriors who support FON/NBS through prayer and giving will be faithful in their commitment.
- For the spiritual emphasis during both the Western and Eastern Easters.
- A favorable inspection by the Ministry of Education Inspector of Christian Schools.
- Two incoming FON Board Members, Marquita Dickinson, and Clayton Pattat.
PRAYER REQUESTS -
Pray that:
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The tensions in Jerusalem and Nazareth will subside. The tensions in Nazareth are high, especially in the evenings. Crowds are gathering and demonstrating from the area very near the school and Mary's Well down to Center City.
- The families who suffered great trauma and loss during the gathering at Meron will find God's peace.
- Students will be able to "catch up" from any academic loss during the Covid-19 shutdowns.
- Israel's reopening will continue to go well and that no additional Covid-19 outbreaks will occur.
- The graduation ceremony planned for July 3, 2021, will go well. Note that after the ceremony many of the graduates will take their national exams. The results of these exams have a huge impact on their future personal opportunities for University and also impact the school's national ranking. The pressure is intense. Most students will take a gap year or two to volunteer or work before starting University.
- Students will maintain a strong faith connection during the years following graduation and will become strong members and leaders of the faith community.
- The teachers will be able to manage the pressure of helping students "catch up" after a disruptive school year. Give the teachers and students stamina. Give the teachers creative and effective teaching approaches.
- The Ministry of Education will announce soon its plans for summer programming. Pray especially for the locals who will be leading the summer programs without the assistance of FON teams.
- The faculty and others are able to plan with a clear vision for the 2021-22 school year.
- The new school year will be a return to normal.
- The expansion of the Potter's Wheel Youth Center, an after-school discipleship program where creative classes are offered to students, will be successful.
- There will be a spiritual awakening in the Holy Land.
- FON's 2022 engagement with Student Leadership University will materialize. They are hoping to host SLU 401 in Israel in July. Jay and Donna are in touch regularly and each is sharing information about the next steps.
PLANS - 2021
- July 6-24. VBS/Day Camps. Praying for full approval by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
- August 3-21. Potter's Wheel Retreats. On hold until the Ministry of Education provides guidelines and approvals.
- October 11-23, 2021 Spiritual Enrichment Journey (SEJ). The SEJ is full and plans are progressing for an exciting time.
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Peaks and Pits by Dr. Roger Mardis |
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Please pray for Dr. Mardis as he continues his preaching/book tour surrounding his latest book, Peaks and Pits, How the Land of the Bible reflects the Life of the Believer.
All book proceeds benefit Nazareth Baptist School.
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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:
(Donated appreciated stock may reduce one's taxes)
Please contact the NEMA-FON broker for assistance.
John Dupuis
Wells Fargo Investments
201 N. Court Street
Florence, AL 35630
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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