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The
purpose of the International Leadership Program is to develop strong,
international, leaders of leaders. They focus on the critical needs for
today's pastors and churches:
- Effective
biblical preaching
- Visionary
leadership
- Personal
spiritual formation
- Skills
and tools for cutting-edge ministry
The
International Leadership Track builds on the present Beeson Pastor program,
but is uniquely designed for the accelerated development of international
leaders. It selects international leaders who cannot leave their ministries
for extended study, but who still want to advance in leadership and preaching
in order to multiply the church in their home country.
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First
Church is one of 10 churches nationwide who are sponsoring students for this
program. First Church is sponsoring Nabil Samara.
The International Leader Track is a
full-scholarship program, working towards the realization of the D.Min.
degree. All expenses connected with the program are covered as follows:
- Tuition and required books
- Laptop computer (yours to keep)
- Travel expenses from your home country to Asbury
Theological Seminary (four round-trip tickets, one per year)
- Lodging and food for the period of time that you are
on campus
- Site-trip costs including registration fees, travel
expenses to/from the selected teaching churches or retreat centers, and
food and lodging while there.
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Nabil
recently wrote:
" Dear Church members, friends and
family, Sanah and I are very thankful to God and to you for your
help and support for my studies. Here is a brief letter in order to update you
on what has been happening with us the last two months.
A few days after we arrived in Israel this summer, I was
appointed the Director and Coordinator of Bethlehem Bible College in
Nazareth, Galilee. This College has been in existence for only a few years.
There have been some classes that were taught here and there in various places
and churches. Therefore, I had to find a good place in which to have our
classes, furnish the place with needed items, rearrange the files of all the
students who have ever studied in the College (beginning with classes in
1992), and contact teachers who could help teach some classes. I also had to
contact students. By using public transportation, I visited 16 churches and
publicized the college and classes. The fear of suicide bombers has made the
use of public transportation very stressful. In other words, I had to start
the college from the ground up. However, God has given us a great opportunity
for ministry.
With the help of God, I was able to rent a good place that
has two classrooms. One of the rooms we have already furnished. I have worked
on and completed the students’ files. Six other teachers were contacted, and
they will help in teaching classes. I will also teach three classes: OT, NT,
and Writing Skills (Arabic). We presently have 40 students who have registered
for this fall. (We are hoping to have more students by the end of this month.)
Eleven of these students are Catholic. They have quit studying at the Catholic
College and are coming to be trained in our college. "We know that you
would teach us pure Christian biblical teachings," was their answer to me
when I asked about the reason they wanted to study at Bethlehem Bible College.
As for the other side of my ministry: I am working right
now on planting two churches in the region of Galilee. I have visited two
different villages, where I plan to plant these churches. God has been with us
in meeting good people there who are interested in helping us and are open to
the work of God. You should know that more than 65% of the population in these
villages is Muslim. At some point we will face resistance and persecution.
Yet, God has called us for such ministry. Some of our family members have
labeled us, (Sanah and me), as "insane people" for being
willing to live in one of these villages among these Muslim people.
The last two months have been very busy times for our
family, and very many things are yet to unfold. Regardless of the outcome of
our situation, we are very sure that we are in God’s will, and that is what
really matters above all things. Please keep our ministry and us in your
prayers
Sanah and Jana send their warm greetings to you all from
the Holy Land.
God bless you all,
Nabil
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