The Relief Program in Syria & Lebanon
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation”
NESSL Appeal 2023
From Rev. Joseph Kassab, General Secretary, National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL)
Dear partners: The annual appeal from NESSL is a people-centered one — needy families, needy students, pastors, staff, and principals. It touches the most vulnerable areas which threaten the life and ministry of our Church in this exceptional dark phase in Syria and Lebanon. This does not mean that we don’t have other needs. Also, it does not mean that our partners turned their back on those other needs. Along with those people’s needs displayed in the appeal, some partners committed themselves to walk with us in some vital long-term projects that eventually will touch the congregational life and the teaching ministry of our Churches. Construction projects that started years ago continue to be supported by partners generously. Also, throughout each year, we are faced with small emergency projects here and there. Thanks to our partners who are always ready to respond to those projects.
Our Protestant mission in this troubled part of the world is needed more than any time before. Our educational mission ensures our participation in the future of our society through nurturing thousands of students according to Christian love, liberal arts, gender equality, freedom of conscience and speech, and community service. Our society is afflicted with sectarianism and tribal thinking. It is why we need a Protestant open-minded presence. Seventy percent of our students are non-Christians. Around 50% of our students are girls. What a blessing from God given to NESSL so we have access to touch the life and educational needs of those young.
Our presence is also an ecumenical need. We have something authentic and valuable to share with our sister Christian traditional Churches. Our protestant presence by itself is a call to other Churches that Christians cannot continue to live in the past, stagnate in traditions, praise hierarchy, get used to masculinity, and silence the voice of lay people and women in the Church.
We value your presence in our midst as brothers and sisters. Together we can be salt and light to this miserable East that needs us as a “city on a mountain.” Read NESSL’s 2022 Relief Report and 2023 Appeal
Donate to the NESSL Relief Program for 2023
Your donations will support these NESSL relief programs
Relief Program in Syria and Lebanon: In Lebanon, relief support is managed through bank debit cards, which beneficiaries can cash monthly from ATMs. Some funds are provided as supermarket vouchers.
In Syria, due to the absence of banking services, payments are handed in cash through the local relief committees managed by the Presbyterian churches, with the primary population receiving cash assistance poor families, displaced people, poor families with children; elder poor people with chronic disease; widows and homes headed by women; unemployed people; and low-income families. Read NESSL’s appeal for Syrian Relief
Schools and Students-Financial Aid: Funds are provided to pay tuition for students whose families cannot afford to pay for schooling in schools managed by NESSL in these Lebanon communities: Minyara, Tripoli, Rabieh, Kab Elias, Zahle, Nababieh, and Saida.
Livelihood Support for Pastors, Staff, and School Principals: During the extreme economic conditions in Syria and Lebanon, including the erosion of purchasing power of the currency, NESSL has provided salary support for pastors and school staff to maintain their standard of living.