THE SEV H-DAY ADVEN CHURCH ON 97

MANOUG H. NAZIRIAN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN LEBANON 1897 - 1997

By MANOUG H. NAZIRIAN

Published by The East Mediterranean Field of Seventh-day Adventists

1999 Beirut, Lebanon DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all the national and expatriate employees and laity, who compelled by the love of Christ, devoted themselves to the proclamation of the Advent Message in the ancient Biblical rand of Lebanon in order ' to make ready a people for the Lord'. T rTI T" T

Page

Foreword 6

Preface 7

Lebanon in the Bible 9

Early Developments 11 Abraham La Rue's Initial Contact with Lebanon 11 H. P. Holser's Visit 11 L. R. Conradi's Survey of the Middle East Including Lebanon 11 Elias Zarub: Pioneer Preacher and Colporteur Won by a Lay Member 12 Early Sabbath Keepers 12 1908 - A Memorable Date 12 George Keough - Pioneer Missionary to Egypt 12 Walter Ising - Pioneer Missionary to Lebanon 13 Baptism of Ibrahim El Khalil, Shukry Nowfel and Bashir Hasso 13 The First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lebanon 13 Henry Erzberger's Arrival 14 Far-reaching Effects of World War I 14 Resumption of Work in Mission Fields 14 Walter Ising Revisits Lebanon 14

Later Developments 15 Nils Zerne Reorganizes the Church 15 Persecution - A Blessing in Disguise 15 The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lebanon After World War I 16

Change of Leadership 16

Seventh-day Adventist Pioneers 16 Pastor Shukry Nowfel: The First Lebanese Ordained Minister 16 Pastor Ibrahim El-Khalil 18 Hamad Elias Obeid 18 Lebanon's Place in the Organizational Structures of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 19 Seventh-day Adventist Churches and Institutions in Lebanon 20 Aramoun Adventist School 21 Aramoun Seventh-day Adventist Church 22 Armenian Adventist School 25 Armenian Seventh-day Adventist Church 26 Ashrafieh Seventh-day Adventist Church 30 Beirut Adventist Church School 33 Bishmezzine Adventist School 35 Bishmezzine Seventh-day Adventist Church 36 Boucherieh Adventist Secondary School 39 Boucherieh Seventh-day Adventist Church 40 College Park Church 42 Middle East College 45 Mouseitbeh Adventist Secondary School 47 Mouseitbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church 48 Middle East Press 51 Voice of Prophecy (Bible Coresspondance School) 53 Physiotherapy Clinic 54 Additional Developments Aimed At Expanding the Mission Outreach of the Church 55 Seventh-day Adventist Youth in Lebanon 57 The Sixteen Year Long Lebanese War (1975 - 1991) 58 Centennial Celebration of the SDA Church in Lebanon 59 Our Divine Mission and Commission 68 Presidents of the East Mediterranean Field in Chronological Order (1909-1997) 69 Secretary - Treasurers of the East Mediterranean Field in Chronological order (1909-1997) 73 Memories 74 Key to Abbreviations 79 Directory of Employees 80 References 96 F OREWORD

Elder Manoug Nazirian, an active Seventh-day Adventist retiree, and former church administrator and college president, in the Middle East, has rendered a commendable service to the SDA Church in Lebanon in the preparation of a valuable resource material that deals with the historical development of the SDA Church over the past century (1897-1997) in the Republic of Lebanon. Much of this data was unknown and unpublished, to this day. It is fitting that the only Lebanese with such a wide and vast experience should have undertaken this valuable task. The love of people and the positive contribution they made to the building up of the SDA Church and its institutions is clearly evidenced in this book. Elder Nazirian's work will hopefully inspire other nationals to take over where he left off and build on the foundation that has been diligently laid. Many more questions will have to be addressed in order to further enrich our understanding of the history of the SDA Church in Lebanon. A vital point needs here to occupy our attention, which is the drastic depletion of church membership in Lebanon. This disturbing phenomenon is attributed to a number of factors, one of which is the protracted Lebanese war (1975-1991) that has caused mass emigration, mostly to the USA. As a result, the overall outreach program of the church has been hampered and it has contributed to a lack of sustained growth. In the light of this fact, it is incumbent upon us to face this very real problem with the determination to find a solution to it. We can take courage from the phenomenal growth of the SDA church in other countries where God's people have been faced with insuperable difficulties, but the Holy Spirit through the ministry of dedicated workers and laity has accomplished amazing things by bringing thousands of lost sheep into the safe fold of Christ. Surely what the Spirit of God has done elsewhere, He can also do for His church in Lebanon, provided we surrender all to Him, fully cooperate with Him, and equipped with His transforming power we rise to the challenge of fulfilling our divine mission and commission. It is the solemn responsibility of other national historians to dig deeper and to help the SDA Church in Lebanon to fully understand its past so that its future can be what God intends it to be.

Claude Lombart, D.Min. East Mediterranean Field President

Beirut, November 10, 1998 The story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lebanon (1897-1997) cannot be fully related in this concise book. Hence, I opted to present in the ensuing pages a concise summary of the origin and growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in this ancient Biblical land. I would also like to point out that in this book I have tried to record the essential facts of the history of the SDA church in Lebanon without duly dwelling upon the philosophy of mission adopted and followed by our church leaders and administrators who with God's help established the church and operated it. Besides, I have not identified the various factors that have impeded the progress of the work. I intend to objectively deal with this timely issue in a separate article. In the research process I am indebted to the following sources for substantial help: Dr. Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer's valuable book entitled The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939, Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Seventh-day Adventist Yearbooks, East Mediterranean Field Service Records, Middle East Union and East Mediterranean Field Committee Minutes, Middle East College Pine Echoes, Mildred Olson's Middle East Program presented at Middle East Fellowship in the USA (April 4-7, 1997), The Middle East Messenger (official organ of the Middle East Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, 1945-1970 issues), Impact (official organ of the Afro-Mideast Division of Seventh-day Adventists, 1971-1977 issues), and personal interviews with SDA employees and sustentees residing in Lebanon, as well as my own service in the church for over forty three years, that have provided information that is not available elsewhere. I am also thankful to Claude Lombart, President of the East Mediterranean Field, Raja Farah, Head of the Religion Department at Middle East College, Nabil Mansour, Editor of the Middle East Press, for reading the manuscript and offering constructive comments, and Jimmy Choufani, Director of Youth Ministries Department of the Middle East Union and the East Mediterranean Field, for the clerical work. It is hoped that these pages will achieve a twofold objective: To refresh our minds on God's marvelous leadership in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lebanon encouraging us to face the future with absolute confidence in the ultimate triumph of His truth. To lead us into an experience of wholehearted dedication and commitment to God that will compel us to do our honest part in fulfilling Christ's commission (Mathew 28:18-20) in this generation.

Manoug H. Nazirian Cedar of Lebanon: symbol of spiritual growth, strength, and fortitude (Psalm 92:12) Lebanon, a republic in the Middle East, is situated on the Eastern Shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Its area is LEBANON 10,452 sq. km. It is bounded by Syria on the north and east and by Israel on the south. Its population, composed of Christians and Muslims, is estimated at 4.5 million IN including the non-Lebanese residents. It is a member of the United Nations and the Arab League. THE BIBLE Lebanon is mentioned sixty-eight times in the Old Testament, and the name Phoenicia (ancient name of Lebanon) occurs three times only in the New Testament. The inspired writers of the Old Testament books refer to Lebanon for its natural beauty (Isaiah 35:1,2), for its snow and streams (Jeremiah 18:14), for its wild beasts, such as lions and leopards (2 Kings 14:9; Songs of Solomon 4:8), and for its majestic cedars and other trees - the fir, the pine, and the box (Songs of Solomon 5:15; Amos 2:9; Psalms 104:16; 2 Kings 19:23; Isaiah 60:13). We learn from 1 Kings 5:5-10 that King Solomon used timber of cedar from Lebanon to beautify the Lord's Temple in Jerusalem. Lebanon is noted for its important historic sites, such as the rock inscriptions at the Dog River (Naher El-Kalb), Byblos (Biblical Gebel), Baalbeck, Tyre, Sidon, and Zarephath, etc. Two inspired gospel writers, St. Matthew and St. Mark mention that during His Galilean ministry (A.D. 29-30), Christ visited the region of Tyre and Sidon, where He rewarded the faith of a Syro-phoenician woman by healing her devil-possessed daughter (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30). Furthermore, St. Luke tells us in Acts 21:3-6 that there was a Christian church in Tyre in the apostolic period. On his way to Jerusalem, the apostle Paul visited this church during his third missionary journey (A.D. 53-58). There is ample evidence in the New Testament that the Christian churches that were established by Christ's apostles believed in and preached the truth of the second coming of Jesus and kept the seventh-day Sabbath as God's. holy day of rest (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 22:20; Luke 23:54-56; Acts 13:42-44, 16:13, 17:2, 18:1-4). We do not know exactly how long the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tyre continued to shed its God-given light in Lebanon. But one who is acquainted with the colorful history of Lebanon knows that there has always been a strong Christian presence in this fair land from the apostolic period to the present time. Today, we believe that in divine providence when the right time arrived God motivated His dedicated servants to bring the Advent Message to the Middle East. Thus, it was a century ago that the light of present truths specifically for these last days began shining brightly in Lebanon. 11

The seventh-Day Adventist Church In Lebanon

EARLY DEVELOPMENTS

Abraham La Rue's Initial Contact Advent Message. In harmony with this plan, with Lebanon L. R. Conradi, a German-American, then president of the European Seventh-day esponding to Christ's global commission Adventist Mission, made a tour of the Middle to carry the Good News of salvation "to East in 1901 to see how the mission outreach of R every nation, and kindred, and tongue the church can be best served in this important and people" (Revelation 14:6), Abraham La Rue, geographical area. During his tour he passed an American self-supporting pioneer lay- through Beirut where he met with Dr. Daniel missionary to China, paid a short visit to Beirut Bliss, President of the Protestant College of Syria, in 1897 and left some truth-filled literature here precursor of the American University of Beirut with the purpose of acquainting the Lebanese (AUB). Elder Conradi was shown the institution with the "present truth" (2 Peter 1:12) 1. Only in where he had the opportunity to obtain firsthand eternity will we know the ultimate result of this information on the American Mission from the act of sowing seeds of truth through the American Missionaries who were serving at the powerful agency of the printed page. faculty. He also visited the press of the American Tract Association where literature and Bibles were being printed in Arabic. His survey of the Middle Eastern countries in general and of Lebanon in particular led him to the conclusion that Seventh-day Adventists should also establish their headquarters for the Middle East in Beirut3. His farsightedness was vindicated after 1939 when American expatriate workers took over the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East. For some thirty years the headquarters for the Middle East Division and the Afro-Mideast Division and the Middle East Union were located in Beirut, capital Abraham La Rue, self-supporting lay missionary to China city of the Republic of Lebanon.

H. P. Holser's Visit Following this germinal development, H. P. Holser of the Central European Conference visited Lebanon in 1898 with a view to making plans for publishing books and tracts in the Arabic language.2

L. R. Conradi's Survey of the Middle East Including Lebanon L.R. Conradi, Then the European Seventh-day Adventist Director of the Mission with its headquarters in Darmstadt, European Seventh- Germany, felt the sacred urge to enter the day Adventist Middle East including Lebanon with the Mission 12

Elias Zarub: Pioneer Preacher and Early Sabbath Keepers Colporteur Won by a Lay Member During the years 1903-1908, before we In recounting the origin and progress of had any organized work in Lebanon, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sabbath keepers were reported in Malaka Lebanon, special recognition is to be given to near Beirut, and in Deir Demas near mount those committed lay persons who were Hermon, possibly converts of Elias Zarub; effectively used by the Holy Spirit in also in Beirut a German masseur named bringing God's last warning and saving Haussman and his wife, a nurse from Basel message to Lebanon - land of the world sanitarium, who were engaged in private famous cedar trees. One of those faithful lay health work. Haussman was a convert of persons was a Lebanese (name not available) John Harry Krum in Jaffa, Palestine. When who while residing in the United States of in 1905 W. H. Wakeman, superintendent of America had accepted the advent message. the Egyptian Mission (son-in-law of In 1902, he visited his parents in Lebanon Conradi), visited Lebanon, he baptized a bringing a copy of the book Bible Readings. woman named Anistas Khoury, a teacher With the help of this good book, he from Schwayfat, who had vacationed in succeeded in convincing the Protestant New York five years earlier and had learned minister named Zarub in his town in of the Sabbath truth. He also baptized a southern Lebanon of the Sabbath truth. Not former Catholic priest in the village of knowing that there were Seventh-day Magdouchy near Sidon. 7 Adventists in the Middle East, Zarub visited Berrien Springs (Michigan, U.S.A.) where he spent six months with our church leaders who taught him the message more fully. 4 1908 - A Memorable Date With a burden for the Master's service The year 1908 is a very significant date in heavily resting upon his heart he returned to the colorful history of the Seventh-day Lebanon in 1903 as a worker to share his God- Adventist church in the Middle East. In this given faith with his fellow nationals. Upon year two spirit-filled missionaries, George his arrival he made contact with John Harry Keough from Ireland and Walter R. Ising from Krum, the German-American colporteur - Germany arrived in Egypt and Lebanon itinerant - preacher - missionary who served respectively. in Palestine at that times. Krum came to Lebanon and teamed up with Zarub and together they toured the villages in southern George Keough - Pioneer Missionary Lebanon as literature evangelists placing to Egypt Adventist publications in the homes of people. Soon it became apparent that Zarub As a result of living and working among was determined to follow an independent the fallahin (farmers) of the Nile in Upper course. He printed his own literature on the Egypt in 1912 Keough's self-sacrificing Seventh-day Adventist church and its ministry, blessed by Heaven, was richly message and baptized a few followers with rewarded when 24 fellahin - 17 men and 7 the aim of establishing an indigenous Middle women from Ben Adi were baptized thus Eastern church according to local culture and forming the first Arabic speaking Seventh- customs. His independence was interrupted day Adventist church in Egypt. These upper by the arrival of Walter K. Ising from Egyptian Christian farmers had with the Germany, whose idea of church organization help of the Holy Spirit discovered the Bible and unity was incompatible with Zarub's truth of the Sabbath and had faithfully been concept of developing the work. As a result keeping it for some years prior to the arrival Zarub bid farewell to his town Alma El-Shaab of Keough. This Phenomenal success in and immigrated with his family to Brazil evangelism paved the way for the rapid where he continued to be a loyal active growth of the Seventh-day Adventism church member. 6 throughout Egypt. 13

Walter Ising - Pioneer Missionary applied himself to learning Arabic at the to Lebanon Protestant Center in the mountains. As regards Ising, he was of German-American After one year of intensive study he rented background who while living in the United a home near the Syrian Protestant College States as an emigrant had joined the Seventh-day (now AUB) in Ras Beirut and began his public Adventist church there. Upon his return to his ministry among the indigenous population. 11 native land Germany, Conradi chose him as his personal secretary and associate. After he worked with Conradi for a while and became Baptism of Ibrahim El-Khalil, Shukry acquainted with the denomination and its mode of operations in Europe, he was sent by Conradi Nowfel and Bashir Hasso to Lebanon in order to stress the indispensability Through aggressive personal work and with of evangelism in building up the Lord's cause. God's blessing Ising succeeded in establishing a Thus, a mission center under Ising's direction good rapport with a group of students from the was established in Beirut. 8 Syrian Protestant College some of whom began taking regular Bible studies in his home. For two years he prayed earnestly and labored untiringly until 1911, when he was able to baptize five persons including Ibrahim El-Khalil, Shukry Nowfel and Bashir Hasso.12 It is interesting to note that Ibrahim El-Khalil was baptized in the brook Cherith where Elijah was fed by ravens. He was a Kurdish Moslem from Turkey who became a pioneer minister in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. Shukry Nowfel was a Lebanese who also became a pioneer gospel minister and effectively served in Lebanon and Syria. As for Bashir Hasso, he became the pioneer layman who Walter Ising, took the advent message to his homeland Iraq. pioneer missionary to Lebanon

In 1909 Ising was appointed as head of the The First Seventh-day Adventist Syrian-Egyptian Mission that consisted of Syria, Church in Lebanon Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Mesopotamia (Iraq), It is most gratifying to know that the first Arabia and Egyptian Sudan with its Seventh-day Adventist Church in Beirut was headquarters in Beirut. There were 7 or 8 church organized under Ising's leadership in 1908- members in Lebanon at that time but they were 1911. Its membership consisted of 13 not yet united in an organized church. 9 members, 7 Arabs, 5 Germans, and 1 While Ising was directing the work in Armenian. These earliest converts joined the Lebanon early in 1910, Tigran Zachary, the first church out of love for the truth and not for Armenian dedicated colporteur, a convert of securing denominational employment because Theodore Anthony-Tzadour Baharian of Turkey, the church had no institutions then. 13 proclaimed the truth of the second advent and of While Ising passionately endeavored to the Sabbath in Lebanon through the printed expand his mission outreach in Beirut, greater page.10 Then he was joined by Michael Ghafary responsibilities were assigned to him. The and together they sold Seventh-day Adventist central European Mission under Conradi publications in the major mountain villages and appointed him as President of the Middle East towns. It is worth mentioning that Ising was one Mission that was composed of Egypt, Palestine, of the very few Seventh-day Adventist Mesopotamia (Iraq), Syria, and Lebanon. Thus missionaries to the Middle East who not only heavy administrative work prevented Ising from believed that mastering the Arabic language was strengthening the newly established church in imperative for doing effective evangelism but he Beirut and deepening its outreach there.14 14

Henry Erzberger's Arrival brought the progress of the work in Lebanon to

an abrupt halt. 16 In 1913 Ising spent 9 months in Iraq trying to gain a foothold there like he had done in Lebanon. During his absence from Lebanon three nationals - Ibrahim El-Khalil, Shukry Resumption of Work Nawfel and Dikran Zachary worked in Lebanon. in Mission Fields In 1914 they were joined by Henry Erzberger from Switzerland who directed the affairs of the Despite the fatal setback our mission church in Lebanon and remained in the Middle outreach suffered in Lebanon as a direct result East throughout World War I. At this time of World War I, Seventh-day Adventist church members held Sabbath services in leaders maintained their faith in God and in Bhamdoun in the mountains and at Erzberger's the vision of the divine commission they were home in Ras Beirut.15 called to fulfill in the world. Therefore, in 1920 an outstanding conference was held near Magdelburg, Germany, where European Seventh-day Adventist leaders met with Far-Reaching Effects delegates from the General Conference and of World War I objectively reevaluated the situation in the World War I had far reaching effects on the mission fields and approved plans to squarely overall outreach mission of the church in the face the needs and challenges they presented. Middle East. Most missionaries who were In this particular conference it was decided to serving in different countries of the Middle give full moral and financial support to the East, together with their German church Central European Seventh-day Adventist members returned to Europe for safety Mission to resume its work in the mission reasons. In 1915, the second year of the war, fields. 17 the Beirut Seventh-day Adventist church had 10 members. Like the Seventh-day Adventist expatriates who returned to Europe, the Arab Walter Ising Revisits Lebanon members likewise went back to their homes in In 1920 Walter Ising was released from his Syria and Iraq where each member kept his 61 month confinement in Malta and returned faith and shared it with his fellow-natives to Germany where he was appointed without church fellowship and pastoral care. secretary of the Central European Seventh- While Ising was in Egypt (he had the day Adventist Mission. At his first headquarters transferred to Egypt) he was opportunity he set out to survey the interned by the British forces and taken to a situation in the Middle East but it was after prison-of-war camp in Malta where he stayed obtaining visas from the British and French f9r the next five years. The remaining few mandates in 1923 that he was able to travel church members in Lebanon were taken care to the region. 18 of by Ibrahim El-Khalil who retained When he revisited Lebanon, he happily communication with the Armenian Seventh- discovered that some of the church members day Adventist Mission in Istanbul that was he had baptized and who had been left under the leadership of Elder Tzadour without pastoral care for several years, had Baharian. remained loyal throughout the tragic war. As for Henry Erzberger, the Swiss This brought great encouragement to his missionary, who tried to stay behind and carry heart. Two of his earliest converts - Ibrahim on the work in Lebanon, he first moved from El-Khalil and Shukry Nowfel who became Beirut to the Lebanon mountains from where leading national gospel ministers, had he went to Palestine in 1917 and finally ended courageously held aloft the torch of truth in up in Istanbul as the British forces approached. Lebanon during his long absence, and Bashir With Erzberger's departure, the Syrian Mission Hasso who had returned to Iraq was serving (composed of Syria, Lebanon and Cyprus) had as an active elder of the Seventh-day no director from 1918-1923. Thus, the war Adventist church in Mosul.19 15 LATER DEVELOPMENTS

Nils Zerne Reorganizes the Church purified the church. This proved to be true in the case of the Seventh-day Adventist After Ising returned to Europe church in Lebanon as well. missionaries were again recruited from the continent and sent over to fill a number of In 1921 Nazareth Ohanian, an Armenian vacant posts in the Middle East. One of Seventh-day Adventist from the city of these dedicated missionaries was Nils Zerne Adana, Turkey, (Mrs. Sella Nazirian's from Switzerland. When he arrived in Beirut grandfather) settled in Beirut. Then in 1923 in 1923, he vigorously set out to reconstruct ten additional Armenian Seventh-day the work and to reorganize the church using Adventists refugees from Turkey arrived in the remaining few faithful members as the Beirut21. They were the converts of Tzadour Baharian, Diran Cherakian and Theodore nucleus. 20 Anthony. Among the Armenian refugees were Sarkis Yerganian (Ara Yerganian's Disguise father) and Minas Hamalian (the Hamalians' Persecution: A Blessing in grandfather). The arrival of these Armenian Down through the ages the history of the Seventh-day Adventist members, who had church has shown that persecution and survived the Turkish persecutions and adverse circumstances encountered by massacres, not only bolstered the dwindled God's trusting and truth-loving people have and scattered membership of our church in been a blessing in disguise for His cause. Lebanon, but also formed the beginning of They have substantially contributed to the the Armenian Seventh-day Adventist church progress of the gospel work and have in Beirut.

Theodore Anthony (left): The Greek lay member who introduced the Advent message into Turkey in 1889. Tzadour Baharian (right): Theodore Anthony's first convert in Turkey, the first ordained SDA minister in the Middle East, President of the Armenian Mission in Turkey, martyred in Turkey. Their Armenian converts became the nucleus of the Armenian SDA church in Lebanon. 16

The Seventh - day Adventist Church It is interesting to note that when the in Lebanon after World War I European missionaries left the Middle East there were 16 churches and 420 members in After World War I, when the Mandate Forces the Arabic Union Mission. The Syrian Mission allowed Germans to travel in the Middle East, had two churches and 85 members. 24 the Central European Division organized the Egypt-Syria Mission in 1923, which in 1927 was renamed as Arabic Union Mission with its Seventh - day Adventist Pioneers headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. George Keough was appointed as its president. He directed the The lives and ministry of Seventh-day work in the Middle East from Cairo until 1929 Adventist pioneers - national and expatriate - when Walter Ising joined the mission in the were characterized by total commitment Middle East again. From 1929 to 1942 Walter without reservations. Their love for Christ and Ising and George Keough took shifts in the His church compelled them to serve leadership in the Middle East. unconditionally. Their supreme goal in life was to glorify God and advance His cause on During the 1920s, especially after 1923, Nils earth. Winning souls for the kingdom of Zerne, Shukry Nowfel, Ibrahim El-Khalil, heaven dictated all their plans and actions. Stanley Bull, Wilhelm Lesovski and his wife They were on the King's business in season Charlotte and Walter Ising carried on the work and out of season. They proclaimed their in Lebanon. It is intresting to note that the unique message with a sense of urgency. For Ghazal Brothers - Chamoun, Melki, Ibrahim, them the Church, God's family, was the most and Najib - were baptized by Nils Zerne in the precious object in the world. They patiently Beirut river (Nahr Beirut) in 1926 and after two and joyfully bore sufferings for the sake of the years their wives followed suit. The Lesovskis church (Col. 1:24). They refrained from doing served as teachers at Mouseithbeh School in anything that tended to erode the unity of the 1929. Then, they were transferred to Syria church and mar its fair reputation. Only one where they founded the first Seventh-day thing mattered to them - success of the church Adventist Church with 12 members in in revealing God's love to the world and Damascus. One of Lesovski's converts was fulfilling its global mission with the purpose of Faris Dow, a Lebanese, who as a layman hastening the coming of Jesus. served on the Syrian Mission Committee. 22 Honesty demands that we admit the fact that the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Change of Leadership Lebanon owes its existence to God's transforming grace that flowed to the world It should be borne in mind that from 1879- through the Christ-centered lives and ministry 1939 the European missionaries directed and of our pioneers. supported the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Arab lands. But when As we consider our pioneers today, let us World War II broke out in 1939, they returned ask ourselves the question - Do we have the to their respective homelands in Europe and kind of devotion to God's cause that they had? the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist mission in the Middle East was taken over by American expatriate workers. 23 Pastor Shukry Nowfel: The First During the period extending from 1879- Lebanese Ordained Minister 1939 our dedicated European missionaries Pastor Shukry Nowfel was one of our (especially after Walter Ising's arrival in pioneer ministers who rendered more than 50 Lebanon in 1908) with a handful national years of outstanding service for the Seventh- pastors and lay members served with day Adventist Church in the Middle East. As a unstilted faith and energy and succeeded in young man after attending the National setting the mission of the church on a School in Souk-El Gharb near his home, he permanent footing in the Syrian Mission that entered the American University of Beirut. comprised Syria, Lebanon and Cyprus. There he came in contact with the German 17

language were such that the sermons he preached proved an inspiration to young people and old. The Lord used him to build up the advent cause in Syria as well. He teamed up with Ibrahim El-Khalil and W. Lesovski and worked in Damascus from 1936-1939. Then he and Hamad Obeid went to Tartous, where they baptized Hanni Srour, mother of Pastor Chafic Srour. Pastor Towfic Issa learned the Sabbath truth from the Srours and carried it to his village Bezag where the first SDA church in Western Syria was built. In addition, he began the work in Aramoun (Aley district) by baptizing his sister Pastor Nabeeha Khoury who resided there. Shukry When the Adventist College of Beirut was Nowfel, the first established in Mouseithbeh in 1939, Pastor Lebanese Shukri Nowfel was selected to lead out in ordained teaching religion courses. minister As the first Arab ordained minister in the missionary Walter R. Ising who taught him the Middle East he had the privilege of serving as "present truth". Desiring to walk in the new pastor of the first Arabic speaking church in light God had revealed to him, he was Lebanon, the Mouseithbeh Seventh-day baptized with four others. Among them were Adventist Church known as the mother Ibrahim El-Khalil who became a successful church. He devotedly spent nearly 20 years minister and Bashir Hasso, distinguished lay there, and with the help of the Holy Spirit led person and pioneer of the Seventh-day many souls to the foot of the cross. By Adventist Church in Iraq. constantly looking to Jesus he became a loving and lovable minister whose positive influence When God's cause in Lebanon was left was felt not only among our church members without leadership during World War I, Pastor but in the evangelical circles as well. Shukry Nowfel and Pastor Ibrahim El-Khalil continued the work. Responding to the call of He realized that there was no release from the the Holy Spirit, he dedicated his life to the ministry while his life lasted. After his retirement gospel ministry. When he proved his call to the on February 1, 1949, he fervently continued to ministry both by his spiritual experience and preach and teach the Word with the purpose of by his soul-saving services, the church set him advancing the progress of God's work. apart for the gospel work. Thus he became the This faithful soldier of the cross, wearied by a first Arabic speaking ordained minister in the long illness, full of years and with his eyes fixed Middle East. on the "Blessed Hope", died in West Beirut on October 20, 1976. The church leaders were not He married Hneineh Madi and eight able to go to West Beirut to conduct his funeral children - five daughters and three sons - were service due to the Lebanese civil war that was born into their family. One of their sons raging its most destructive stage at that time. Camille Nowfel, who settled in the U.S.A., ably served as translator for five American Therefore, a pastor of the Evangelical Church, presidents. Fuad Behnam, and an Orthodox priest whose name is not recorded, performed his obsequies 25. Pastor Nowfel believed that a Christian With the cessation of hostilities and the pastor is primarily called to the ministry of restoration of communications in Lebanon, a God's Word. Thus, he applied himself to the memorial service in honor of this venerable study of the Scriptures. His wide knowledge worker was convened in the Boucherieh of Scripture and his command of the Arabic Seventh-day Adventist Church. 18

Pastor Ibrahim El-Khalil Syria, he and Shukry Nowfel joined Ibrahim El-Khalil in pioneering the work in Damascus Ibrahim El-Khalil was one of our national from 1936-1939. pioneer ordained ministers who made an invaluable contribution to the Seventh-day After his retirement in 1939 he served as an Adventist church in Lebanon, Syria and Arabic teacher at the Adventist College of Palestine during its formative years. He was a Beirut (later known as Middle East College) non-Christian who resided in Turkey where and did translation work serving fervently to after his conversion to Christianity moved to the last. He passed away on Thursday Lebanon. He was one of those who attended morning, November 15, 1945 at the American the weekly Bible studies in the home of Walter University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, after a Ising. lingering illness.26 Elder Ibrahim El-Khalil was a prince in Israel, a true-hearted servant of Being an honest seeker of truth, together God, who served long and well and faithfully with Shukri Nowfel and Bashir Hasso he and he peacefully passed to his rest awaiting joyfully accepted the Sabbath truth. The fact the coming of the Life giver. that he was baptized in 1911 by Walter Ising in the brook Cherith where Elijah was fed by ravens indicates that he wanted to be a witness for the Lord filled with the spirit and power of Hamad Elias Obeid the prophet. Hamad Elias Obeid was a dedicated Christian who labored unceasingly to build up God's cause in the Middle East. He was born in Beit Obeid, Zgharta, North Lebanon. Having been a pupil at the American School in Tripoli for two years, he entered the University of Hikmy (Sagesse) in Beirut, where he studied for seven years with the purpose of becoming a lawyer. Then responding to the invitation of his relative, who was running a lucrative business in Cuba, he immigrated to Cuba in 1912 where he lived for twenty years. He married Marian and two children, a son and a daughter, were born into their home. During his stay in Cuba, the Holy Spirit led him into the Advent truth. And because he Pastor was a linguist (he spoke Arabic, French, Ibrahim Spanish and Assyrian) and possessed the El-Khalil, ability to speak persuasively, the church pioneer leadership appealed to him to be a full-time ordained salaried minister, but he declined their offer minister and decided to be a self-supporting itinerant During World War I (1914-1918), when the preacher - literature evangelist. SDA church in Lebanon was left without After his wife died in 1932, he returned to his leadership, he and Shukry Nowfel continued homeland Lebanon in order to share his faith to share their God-given faith with their with his compatriots. He then proceeded to fellow-citizens. In 1913 he entered Jerusalem, Palestine. There he did the first home denominational work as a gospel minister and to home colporteur work in the Middle East. He rendered over twenty years of faithful service covered the city in ten weeks and placed 700 in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His books in different languages in the homes of loving and hospitable wife Mary, a pious people.27 His main concern in selling books was German church member, faithfully stood by not to earn money but to win people to Christ. his side in his varied labors. When Wilhelm He used the canvassing work as an avenue to Lesovski was sent to direct the mission in find openings for teaching the truth. He believed 19 that the advent message must be carried to This faithful servant of the Lord died on everybody. So, he preached the Word in the April 21, 1987 at the age of 97 with his hope homes, in the stores and in the markets. Among anchored in the Second Coming of Jesus. His the people he called on were not only common funeral service was conducted by the church folks but also high government officials and leadership in Bousherieh Seventh-day heads of states namely King Abdullah, Adventist Church. He was buried in the grandfather of King Husein of Jordan, King Obeid Cemetery, Beit Obeid, Zgharta, North Faisal and King Saud of Saudi Arabia. Lebanon. With a sense of urgency he worked in Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Hejaz (Saudi Arabia), Iraq and Syria. In 1936 he accompanied Pastor Shukry Nowfel to Tartous where they Lebanon's Place in the baptized Hanni Srour, mother of Pastor Chafic Organizational Structures of the and Philip Srour through whom Adventism Seventh-day Adventist Church penetrated Western Syria. In 1939 he settled in From 1897-1930 the term Syria was used Lebanon permanently. He married Hanneh to denote the present countries of Syria and and seven children - six sons and one daughter Lebanon. - (the Obeids) were born into their home. He traveled all over Lebanon and placed From 1899-1908 the Syria Mission publications in the homes of people and (comprising Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia discussed the Bible with Christian and (Iraq), and Arabia), was under the Moslem clerics. Two prominent Lebanese jurisdiction of the Levant Union Mission politicians - the late Soleyman Franjie, with its headquarters in Darmstadt, President of the Republic of Lebanon, and Germany. Riad Solh (a Moslem), Prime Minister of In 1909 the Syrian mission was renamed Lebanon, were his friends. They knew that he as the Syrian-Egyptian mission that was a Sabbath-keeping Christian. consisted of Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia The June 21, 1978 issue of the popular (Iraq), Arabia, Egypt and Egyptian Sudan. French newspaper "Le Reveil" contains a In 1912 the Syrian-Egyptian mission was lengthy article in which Hamad Elias Obeid reorganized. Its territory consisted of Syria tells how he became a Seventh-day Adventist and Mesopotamia (Iraq). and explains the meaning of the term Seventh- day Adventist. In the article he is referred to as In 1913 Arabia was added to the Syrian the missionary in the Arab countries 28. Mission which was under the administration of the European Division Missions. Hamad Elias Obeid, pioneer In 1915 the Syrian Mission was renamed literature evangelist, itinerant as the Arabic-Syrian Mission. preacher In 1923 the Egypt-Syrian Union Mission was organized and enlarged by the annexation of Iraq in 1927. In 1927 the Central European Division organized the Arabic Union Mission with its headquarters in Jerusalem, Palestine. The Syrian Mission was part of it. In 1930 the Syrian Mission consisted of Syria, Grand Lebanon, and Cyprus. In 1944 the Arabic Union Mission was renamed as the Middle East Union Mission under the Central European Division, Section Two, with its headquarters in Takoma Park, Washington D.C., U.S.A. 20

From 1944-1947 the Syrian Mission was Seventh-day Adventist Churches part of the Middle East Union Mission. and Institutions in Lebanon Lebanon was in the territory of the The following is a list of the Seventh-day Lebanon-Syria Mission under the Middle Adventist churches and institutions that were East Union Mission from 1948-1950. established in Lebanon during the last one In 1951 the Middle East Union was hundred years: organized into the Middle East Division with Aramoun Adventist School its headquarters in Beirut. Aramoun Seventh-day Adventist Church Armenian Adventist School In 1958 the Lebanon-Syria Mission was Armenian Seventh-day Adventist Church renamed as Lebanon-Syria Section. Ashrafieh Seventh-day Adventist Church In 1959 Lebanon became a Section under Beirut Adventist Church School the Middle East Division and maintained Bishmezzine Adventist School this status until 1970. Bishmezzine Seventh-day Adventist Church In 1970 the Afro-Mideast Division was Boucherieh Adventist Secondary School organized with its headquarters in Beirut. Boucherieh Seventh-day Adventist Church The Middle East Union, as a part of the College Park Church newly organized division, was made up of a Middle East College number of local fields, one of which was the Middle East Press East Mediterranean Field that comprised Mouseitbeh Adventist Secondary School Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Turkey and Mouseitbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church Jordan.29 Physiotherapy Clinic Voice of Prophecy (Bible Correspondence In 1982 the Middle East Union became a School) detached union under the direct supervision of the General Conference. Note: Although Middle East College and Middle East Press are Middle East Union When in the 1990s Cyprus and Turkey institutions, but because they are established were placed under the jurisdiction of the in the territory of the East Mediterranean Middle East Union, the East Mediterranean Field, they have made invaluable contribution Field's territory was limited to three to the advancement of God's work in Lebanon. countries - Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The information on the SDA educational In 1995 the Middle East Union joined the institutions and the press in Lebanon provided Trans-European Division. in the following pages was prepared in 1997. 21 ARAMOUN ADVENTIST SCHOOL

Date of establishment of school 1944-45 Location or address of school: Aramoun, District of Aley Levels of school: The Primary level began in (year): 1944-45 The Elementary level began in (year): 1944-45

Student enrolment: Lowest number of students enrolled: 4 Highest number of students enrolled : 200 Highest number of teachers employed: 7

Financial status of school: Was the school subsidized by the East Mediterranean Field? Yes Was the school self-supporting? No Is the school still functioning? No Was the school closed permanently? Yes Date of its closure: 1983 Reason why it was discontinued: Due to Lebanese civil war.

Names of school principals in chronological order:

Moussa Kerkenny Elias Hanna Alfred Akar Henri Jeha Elias Jeha Joseph Mansour Adel Aboujaoudeh Georgi Abd-ElKarim Milad Abd-ElKarim Laurice Yacoub Salwa Daher Abd-ElKarim Fawzi Deeb

The following are some of the worthy contributions the school has made to the cause of the SDA church in Lebanon: It provided Christian education for Adventist children in Aramoun. It exposed Druze children to Adventist teachings, principles and ideals. Many SDA workers received their elementary training at Aramoun Adventist School. Note: The names of teachers who taught at Aramoun Adventist School are recorded in the directory of employees. 22 ARAMOUN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

There are two scenic villages in Lebanon Thus, she became the first Seventh-day that are called Aramoun. One of them is Adventist in Aramoun. located in Keserwan, north of Beirut, a mountainous region inhabited by Christians. Complying with Christ's exhortation that The other is nestled in the Aley district, His followers must let their light shine Southeast of Beirut, also a mountainous area before men (Matt. 5:14,15), she began sharing her God-given faith in the Christian inhabited by Druzes and Christians. community of Aramoun. Her earnest Once again the Holy Spirit used a faithful prayers and efforts coupled with Pastor lay witness to bring the three Angels' Nowfel's support through periodic pastoral Messages to the village of Aramoun. This lay visits created a genuine interest in the hearts person was Nabeeha Nowfel Khoury, sister of Aramounites, some of whom gladly of Shukry Nowfel, pioneer pastor of accepted the advent message and sealed Mousaithbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church. their loyalty to it by baptism. They were the After her marriage with a Mr. Khoury, a first fruits of a larger harvest of baptisms that resident of Aramoun, she earnestly studied followed in later years. the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist As church membership grew in Aramoun, Church with her brother Pastor Shukry and there were a good number of Adventist Nowfel, who had the joy and privilege of children there, the Lebanon-Syria Mission, baptizing her into the Great Advent Family. under R. H. Hartwell's administration,

Aramoun Seventh-day Adventist school and church built in 1958. 23 decided to establish an elementary school for Therefore, all the Aramounite Christians, them. The school began functioning in a including our workers and church members, rented building in the mid 1940s. Our left their homes and took refuge in church members held their weekly religious comparatively safer places in Lebanon. The services in the school building until 1958 homes of Christians in Aramoun were when a new school building was built that in destroyed, a real calamity that prevented addition to classrooms had a spacious hall them from returning there. Thus, some of which was used as a church. The contractor our church members immigrated to foreign of the new school building in Aramoun was countries, and the remaining church Yenovk Dardaghanian, the dedicated elder members joined the Seventh-day Adventist of the Armenian Seventh-day Adventist Churches in the Beirut area. Church. In 1994 the East Mediterranean Field Although it was a small church with over Committee took action to sell the Aramoun 40 members, it served as an effective agency School and church property. The proceeds in spreading the light of the gospel among from the sale of the property were used to Christians and Druzes in the Aley district. purchase a permanent campsite (16000 sq. The school and church in Aramoun gave many talented workers to the SDA m) at Baskinta, a picturesque summer resort denomination. in the Math district in Lebanon. In 1983 the school and church activities in The following people provided pastoral Aramoun were brought to a halt as a result care for the Aramoun Seventh-day Adventist of the 16-year long Lebanese war. This tragic Church: Shukry Nowfel, George Raffoul, war created an atmosphere of fear, danger Gaby Bejjani, Salam Aboujawda, Jalal Doss, and insecurity throughout the country. and Fawzi Deeb.

The new Baskinta campsite purchased in 1994. 24

Armenian Adventist school built in 1963. ARMENIAN ADVENTIST SCHOOL

Date of establishment of school: 1938 Location or address of school: Khalil Badawy, (later) Bourj-Hammoud, Beirut, Lebanon

Levels of school: The Primary level began in (year): 1938 The Elementary level began in (year) : 1938 The Intermediate level began in (year): 1963

Student enrolment: Lowest number of students enrolled: 16 Highest number of students enrolled : 350 Student enrolment when the school was closed: 125 Highest number of teachers employed: 14 Financial status of school: Was the school subsidized by the East Mediterranean Field? Yes Was the school self-supporting? No Is the school still functioning? No Was the school closed permanently? Yes Date of its closure: 1984 Reason why it was discontinued: Financial loss

Names of school principals in chronological order: Yepraxi Gomig Hosanna Ayoub Sella Nazirian Haigouhy Delice Hagop Keushguerian Sella Nazirian Nourhan Ouzounian Mary Bitar Sella Nazirian Aram Aghassian Jirair Kourouyan L. H. Cowles Minas Megerditchian Sella Nazirian

The following are some of the worthy contributions the school has made to the SDA church in Lebanon: It provided Christian education for the children of the church. Hundreds of non-Adventist children passed through its gates where they learned the principles of true education and the real values of life. It was an effective agency for winning people to Christ. It educated more than forty Armenian youth to become denominational workers. Note: The names of teachers who taught in Armenian Adventist School are recorded in the directory of employees. 26 ARMENIAN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

The Armenian Seventh-day Adventist General Conference the needed money with Church in Lebanon originated with the help which a piece of land was purchased in the of eleven Armenian refugees who fled from district of Khalil Badawy in Beirut and a Turkey and settled in this hospitable country beautiful church building was erected on it. in 1920 and 1923. They lived in the large In 1938 the Ghazal brothers, Najeeb and Armenian refugee camp near the Beirut Ibrahim, themselves refugees from Turkey, seaport. Here they held religious meetings in who became the official builders of our a very modest wooden room and let their church in Lebanon, built the church building light shine in the community. Pastor and brother Mansour Aboujawdeh, an Parounag, a new convert, served as their expert carpenter (father of Elder Salam pastor for a while. They also received Aboujawdeh) did the wood work in it. The pastoral care from Elders Nils Zezne and Armenian believers were deeply grateful Walter Ising . The small community made up that they now had a presentable church of Armenian and Arabic speaking members building in which to worship God and to use constantly communicated with each other. it as a consecrated channel to spread the saving light of truth in the city. The pastoral visit of Elder Willian A. Spicer (General Conference president) to Following the construction of the new Lebanon was a turning point in Beirut. church building from 1939 to 1997, a period When he visited the Armenian believers in of 58 years, the following individuals served the refugee camp he was so touched by the as pastors of the Armenian Seventh-day sight of the wooden church that he assured Adventist Church: Neshan Hovanessian them that upon his return to America he (licensed minister), Dikran Der Housiguian would do his best to provide sufficient funds (church elder), Abraham Mazloumian for the construction of a new church building (licensed minister), R.L.Mole (licensed for them. This kind gesture on the part of the minister), M,C Grin (ordained minister, GC president greatly encouraged and Swiss), Manoug Nazirian (ordained strengthened the Armenian Church minister), Aram Aghassian (ordained members. As a trustworthy leader Elder minister), A. Zuriguian (layman), Raymond Spicer kept his promise by sending from the Khatchadourian (licensed minister), Levon

The Armenian SDA church members (refugees from Turkey) held their church services in a wooden church in Beirut (1920s). 27

1. The Armenian SDA church and school built in 1938, Khalil Badawy, Beirut. 2. The Armenian SDA church built in 1955, Khalil Badawy, Beirut.

Maksoudian (licensed minister), Raffic property and to transfer the church to a safe Keshishzadeh (licensed minister). area in the city. Hence, through a magnanimous special appropriation of During Elder Manoug Nazirian's $150,000.00 from the General Conference it ministry (1952-1967) in 1955 a new church was possible to purchase a lot of 1600 square building was built adjacent to the first meters in Bourj Hammoud where a new church building in order to accommodate church and a new school were erected. Its the outgrowing membership. Elder R.H. construction was initiated and completed Harllwell, President of the East while Elder Salim Noujeim and George Mediterranean Union and the Lebanon-Syria Khoury successively served as presidents of Mission led out in the dedicatory service of the Lebanon-Syria Mission. This new the church. Several evangelistic efforts were building was named Bourj-Hammoud conducted in the new church as a result of Evangelistic Center. It is the largest Seventh- which the advent message was preached to day Adventist auditorium in the Middle East hundreds of Armenians in Beirut. with a seating capacity of 800. The year 1958 was marked by a nation It is appropriate to give grateful wide civil conflict in Lebanon. The situation recognition to Elder R.A. Wilcox, Middle in the district where our church was located East Division President (1959-1966), who became so unsafe that the Lebanon-Syrian was primarily responsible for the Mission in collaboration with the Middle implementation of this outstanding project. East Division decided to sell our church The church was dedicated on January 9, 28

1965. Seven hundred members and visitors The Armenian Seventh-day Adventist attended this special event. Among those Church consisting of some 90 members was who took part in the program was Pastor one of the most active churches in Lebanon. Farid Audi, President of the Supreme The Lord used it effectively to evangelize the Council of Evangelical Churches in Syria Armenian population in Lebanon and and Lebanon. Elder R.R. Figuhr, President of through its ministry many Armenians the General Conference preached the accepted the advent message. Besides, by dedication sermon in response of which this God's help it gave more than fifty national edifice was dedicated to God for worship in workers to the cause of the church. The prayer and song and for the preaching of the names of these workers appear in the living Word. directory of workers. Just the next day Manoug Nazirian, The 16-year long Lebanese war (1975- pastor of the church, launched a major 1991) greatly affected the Armenian Church evangelistic effort which was attended by and its outreach program. Heavy several hundred people. Among those who bombardment badly damaged the church assisted him in the evangelistic campaign building and made it inoperative. It also were Krikor Yessayan, Minas accelerated the immigration of many Megueditchian, George Manoukian, Vartkes Armenian Seventh-day Adventist families to Azadian, Raymond Kiraz, and Sella the United States as a result of which the Nazirian. This was the second largest church membership was drastically reduced. evangelistic effort held for Armenians in At present the remaining 15-20 members Lebanon. The largest evangelistic effort held are by God's help committed to reviving in the history of the Middle East was in a their beloved church. It is imperative that rented cinema hall in Bourj-Hammoud in the East Mediterranean Field administration 1948-1949. Twelve hundred persons find a way to generate the necessary funds to attended it. Elder E. L.Branson, President of restore this beautiful auditorium to its the Middle East Union Mission and Elder F. original state so that it will continue to be a J. Harder, President of Middle East College, powerful instrumentality in bringing many led out in this major public campaign. souls to Christ.

The new Armenian SDA Church (Evangelistic Center) at Bourj-Hammoud in Beirut 29

Dedication Service at Bourj Hammoud

Below: Leaders gather in the reception room before beginning the service.

Above: Elder R.R. Figuhr, the General Conference President, gives the sermon as Elder Manoug Nazirian, the church pastor, translates.

Below: Elder R. A. Wilcox, the Division President, is joined at the pulpit by Elder A. A. Haddad, MV and Temperance Secretary of the Division.

Left corner: The congregation stands for the act of dedication. Below: A view of the large audience filling auditorium for the dedication service. 30 ASHRAFIEH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

In 1959 a three-floor building was built with this plan, some members from near the national museum in the Ashrafieh Mouseitbeh Church volunteered to transfer area in Beirut. The ground floor was a their membership to the new church. This beautiful 250 seat evangelistic center. The was a kind of church implantation. second floor was occupied by the The members were mobilized to take an Physiotherapy Clinic. The third floor active part in the outreach programs of the accommodated the Lebanon Section church. Elder Harry E. Robinson, an headquarters and the Voice of Prophecy American expatriate minister presented the office. This was a multi-purpose building first series of public meetings there. He was (named Adventist Center) established for one of the very few missionaries in the the purpose of proclaiming the Three Middle East who put forth special efforts to Angels' Messages (Revelation 14:6-12) and preach in Arabic. Aida Farah and Ruby winning converts in a new area in the city. Williams (credentialed Bible workers) When this evangelistic center was ready worked with great fervor to build up the for use, the Lebanon Section under Elder new church. Ashrafieh church was Chafic Srour's leadership thought of organized with a charter membership of 40 starting a new church there. In harmony on October 7, 1961.

Interior view of the Achrafieh Seventh-day Adventist Church built in 1959, Hotel Dieu street, Beirut. 31

A series of major evangelistic efforts were of reaching the French speaking held there that resulted in the baptism of community. new members. Elder Robert Taylor, Ministerial Association Secretary of the Ashrafieh Church effectively functioned Afro-Mideast Division, led out in one of for 17 years (1961-1978) and then its these evangelistic series. He was assisted by religious services and activities were a group of ministers - R. D. Pifer, Angeli disrupted as a result of the Lebanese civil Gayed, Aram Aghassian, George Raffoul, war (1975-1991) during which heavy Edward Skoretz, Gaby Bejjani, Salam bombing badly damaged the Adventist Aboujawdeh, Salem Majeed, Nathan Cultural Center. The church members met Malaka, Milad Modad, Manoug Nazirian, for worship in the Afro-Mideast Division and VOP workers Philip Srour and Michael administration bulding in Sabtiye for a Katreeb. Elder Harley Bresee, Director of while and then they joined the Bousherieh the Adventist Cultural Center, also Church. conducted an evangelistic campaign which was directed especially to the non-Christian During its existence of seventeen years, community in the city. Then, Roland Ashrafieh Church was under the pastoral Vertallier, pastor-evangelist of Bordeaux care of the following ministers: Chafic SDA Church, France, held the first public Srour, Salam Aboujawde, Angeli Gayed meetings in French (1969) with the purpose and Borge Schantz.

Facade of the Ashrafieh Seventh-day Adventist church 32

Beirut Adventist Church school 33

BEIRUT ADVENTIST CHURCH SCHOOL

Date of establishment of school : September, 1984 Location or address of school: Sabtiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon Levels of school: The Primary Level began in (year): 1984 The Elementary level began in (year): 1984 The Intermediate level began in (year): 1984 The Secondary level began in (year): 1985 (only for 1 year) (Gr. 11)

Student enrolment: Lowest number of students enrolled: approx. 30 students Highest number of students enrolled : approx. 50 students Student enrolment when the school was closed: 23 students

Highest number of teachers: 4 teachers when it was closed. Financial status of school: Was the school subsidized by the East Mediterranean Field? Yes Was the school self-supporting? No Is the school still functioning? No Was the school closed permanently? Yes Date of its closure: September, 1997 Reason why it was discontinued: Financial loss Sale of the Division property

Names of school principals in chronological order: Raja Farah Raffy Manassian Wadad Karam

The following are some of the worthy contributions the school has made to the SDA church in Lebanon: It created an Adventist atmosphere for the church's children. It taught Adventist children the centrality of the Bible in Christian education. It provided our children with extra-curricular activities aimed at developing in them the spirit of Christian service. Note: The names of teachers who taught in Beirut Adventist Church School are recorded in the directory of employees. 34

Bishmezzine Adventist School built in 1952, Bishmezzine, El-Koura, North, Lebanon. 35 BISHMEZZINE ADVENTIST SCHOOL

Date of establishment of school: 1952 Location or address of school: Bishmezzine, El-Koura, North Lebanon Levels of school: The Primary level began in (year): 1952 The Elementary level began in (year): 1952 The Intermediate level began in (year): 1960

Student enrolment: Lowest number of students enrolled: 85 Highest number of students enrolled: 250 Current student enrolment: 85 Highest number of teachers employed: 14 Financial status of school: Is the school subsidized by the East Mediterranean Field? Yes Is the school self - supporting? No Is the school still functioning? Yes

Names of school principals in chronological order: Alfred Akkar Fouad Nowfel Naim Mashni George Issa Issa Kharma Haifa Aboujawde Joseph Mansour Adel Aboujawde Elias Ieha Fawzi Deeb Johnny Issa Johnny Manassian

The school has provided Christian education for our children and produced many workers for the chruch.

Note: The names of teachers who taught in Bishmezzine Adventist School are recorded in the directory of employees. 36 BISHMEZZINE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in unbelievable persecution and life Bishmezzine, El-Koura, North Lebanon, threatening situations until God overcame came into being as a result of a group of the opposition and the way was opened for devoted expatriate and national workers the message to penetrate the El-Koura who had passion for evangelism and who district. Fifty-four people were baptized. through full dependence upon God were This phenomenal success in soul-winning is willing to encounter hardship for the sake of due to four factors: 1) Total dependence the Advent message. upon the Holy Spirit; 2) Team work - missionaries and national workers working In the fall of 1947, Pastor Wayne Olson together harmoniously; 3) Fellowship and and his wife Mildred, a dedicated American associating (mingling) with people; 4) Pre- missionary couple, accepted the challenge to carry the good news of salvation to North eminence of personal evangelism with Lebanon. They chose Shekka, a coastal town emphasis on giving systematic Bible studies. on the road to Tripoli as the base for their The Olsons teamed up with a group of energetic and zealous young national mission. This particular town is noted for its ministers in building up the work in this cement factory that produces top quality region. These national ministers were cement. There they spent four very exciting and fruitful years during which they faced Mousa Ghazal, Michael Kebbas, Faris Bishai, George Raffoul and Maurice Katreeb. Their

Bishmezzine Seventh-day Adventist Church built in 1954-1955.

37 united prayers and selfless efforts were richly rewarded when a new church for God's glory was organized in Bishmezzine. Elder Wayne Olson chose a site for a church and school before he and his family left on furlough. Elder George Appel (President of the Middle East Division), Elder R. H. Hartwell (President of the East Mediterranean Union and the Lebanon-Syria Mission), A. W. Fund (Secretary - Treasurer of the Lebanon-Syria Mission), and D. V. Kubrock, newly appointed pastor of Bishmezzine Church, oversaw the building of the church in 1954-1955. Did you know that a relative of Ellen G. White made a valuable contribution to the cause of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lebanon? That person was Mrs. Gladys Kubrock. The self-sacrificing ministry of the Kubrocks characterized by genuine hospitality and sympathy made them lovable Christians in their community and Exterior view of the Bishmezzine Seventh-day Adventist greatly enriched and strengthened the work Church, Bishmezzine, El-Koura, North Lebanon in their field of labor. From 1947 to 1997 the following workers served as pastors of Bishmezzine Seventh- day Adventist Church: Wayne Olson (ordained), D.V. Kubrock (ordained), George Raffoul (ordained), Shehadi Halabi (licensed), Towfic Issa (ordained), Gabriel Katreeb (ordained) Salam Aboujawda (ordained), Milad Madad (licensed), Fawzi Deeb (church elder), Awaida Wahbe (licensed), Fady Ghafary (licensed), Aram Matti (licensed). Bishmezzine Seventh-day Adventist Church like its sister churches has given many valuable workers to God's cause in Lebanon. The names of these workers are found in the directory of employees. It is a well-known fact that uninterrupted immigration has drastically reduced the membership of Seventh-day Adventist churches in Lebanon including the Interior view of the Bishmezzine Seventh-day Adventist Church Bishmezzine Church. Many active families from North Lebanon have settled in the United States and Australia. We still have some fifteen members in North Lebanon who under the current active leadership of Pastor Aram Matti are praying and working to revive the church. 38

Boucherieh Adventist Secondary School

The new kindergarten of Boucherieh Adventist Secondary School 39 BOUCHERIEH ADVENTIST SECONDARY SCHOOL

Date of establishment of school: February 15, 1949 Location or address of school: Sid El-Bousherieh, Beirut, Lebanon

Levels of school: The Primary level began in (year) 1949 The Elementary level began in (year): 1949 The Intermediate level began in (year): 1949 The Secondary level began in (year): 1949

Student enrolment: Lowest number of students enrolled: 120 Highest number of students enrolled: 460 (1996-1997) Current student enrolment: 400

Highest number of teachers employed: 40

Financial status of school: Was the school subsidized by the East Mediterranean Field? No Was the school self - supporting? Yes

Names of school principals in chronological order: Jad Katrib Issa Kharma Issa Obeid

The following are some of the worthy contributions the school has made to the SDA church in Lebanon: Spreading Christian education to future generations. Supporting the church in its various evangelistic efforts through programs prepared at the school. Giving the Bible message to non-SDA teachers at the school. Supporting the church financially in all possible ways.

Note: The names of teachers who taught in Boucherieh Adventist Secondary School are recorded in the directory of employees. 40 BOUCHERIEH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

The year 1954 marks the beginning of into a regular Sabbath School and weekly Boucherieh Seventh-day Adventist Church. church services were held on Sabbath That year a dedicated teacher at Middle East afternoons. Miss Davis was in charge of the College, Miss Edith Davis together with a Sabbath School, and the Ministerial Seminar group of students from Middle East College began a Pathfinder Club for the children in was responsible for church services. This the Assyrian Quarter at the bottom of evangelistic function provided a twofold Sabtiyeh hill. The children who joined the blessing - the participants were enriched Pathfinder Club greatly enjoyed their varied spiritually, and the students received activities and soon the interest in the club training in effective service. grew and more help was needed. Some Master Guides from the College Missionary Volunteer Society joined them. The Bible stories told by our young people in Pathfinder meetings created a definite interest in studying the Bible. The parents joined their children in studying the Word as a result of which a Branch Sabbath School was organized. Additional space was needed so the group rented a room in that area and the Lebanon Section under Elder Chafic Srour's presidency paid the rent while the College Ministerial Seminar cared for the various meetings, programs, and miscellaneous expenses. In October 1956, the Branch Sabbath School was transferred to the newly built Middle East College Elementary School building (presently occupied by the EMF) and continued to be held in the afternoon. The Religion Department of the college also showed a keen interest in this Branch Sabbath School and bought a portable organ for the group. In October 1957, the Branch Sabbath School was organized Boucherieh Seventh-day Adventist Church 41

In 1958, both the Sabbath School and the Guenther, Lay Activities Secretary of the Church Service were changed to meet in the General Conference. Among others who mornings, thus it became more convenient took part in the program was Pastor Ibrahim for the community members to attend. Dagher, President of the Supreme Council of In 1961, the group began to meet in the Evangelical Churches in Syria and Lebanon. college chapel. Two services were held Mrs. Madlene Gilleroth, music teacher at weekly. The early morning service was in the College, served as the pianist at the English, followed by the Sabbath School in dedication service. She proudly played the Arabic and English. Then at 11:00 A.M. the Baby-grand piano for which she had Arabic service met. solicited the funds with great enthusiasm. The Arabic services were moved to the Elder. Salim Japas was appointed as the worship room of the Men's Dormitory in pastor of the new church with a charter January 1965 and became a section of the main membership of 82.31 College Park Church with Pastor Samir In 1980 the members of Ashrafieh Church Shahine as the associate pastor in charge of the began worshipping in Boucherieh Church. Arabic speaking group. It remained there This was not a formal union of the two until January 17, 1970. churches. The reason for this was the Due recognition is to be given to Pastor Lebanese civil war during which the Salim Japas from Argentina (Middle East museum area where the Ashrafieh Church Division Evangelist) who devotedly labored was located was heavily bombed, thus our along side Pastor Shahine to build up this church members were not able to attend small group of believers into a church body. their weekly church services. As a result It was primarily through his initiative and Bousherieh Church became the largest promotion that the new Boucherieh Church Arabic speaking Church in Lebanon, and building was completed and organized in many of its young men and young women January 17, 1970. Then the Arabic Section of dedicated their lives and talents to God's the College Park Church moved to the newly cause in Lebanon. The following persons built edifice. The construction of the church have served as pastors of Bousherieh was financed by the Middle East Division. Church: Samir Shahine, Salim Japas, Shehadi The new Boucherieh Church was Halabi, Angeli Gayed, George Raffoul, Raja dedicated on February 7, 1970. The Farah, Nathan Malaka, and Levon dedication sermon was given by Pastor C. C. Maksoudian.

Facade of Boucherieh Seventh-day Adventist Church New Boucherieh Seventh-day Adventist Church dedication, January 17,1970. 42 COLLEGE PARK CHURCH

The beginning of the College Park College Park Church became the largest Church dates back to the establishment of church in Lebanon with a total membership Middle East College in 1939. It was of 200. Some of the members were new organized for providing services of worship converts. But the bulk of membership was for the students and the faculty and staff of made up of expatriate workers at the the college. college, Division workers, Adventist In the early years of the college, before students from the four Unions (three of the present administration building was which were on the continent of Africa), and built, religious services, prayer meetings, native Seventh-day Adventists from Friday evening vespers, Sabbath School and churches in the Beirut area. College Park church services were held in the following Church was truly a cosmopolitan church. It places: Mouseitbeh Church (1939-1941), was a church rich in talents. Its musical Amman (1941), Mouseitbeh Church (1941- band (under the direction of E. D. McGhee) 1943), Grand Hotel, Beit Mery (1945-1946), consisting of a company of performers of Hotel Ghassoub, Beit Mery (1946-1947), various types of instruments greatly Middle East College womenis dormitory, enriched the religious services and social college cafeteria (1948-1953), Middle East activities of the college. The weekend College chapel (1954 to the present time). religious services were deeply inspiring and The two floors of the administration uplifting. building including the college chapel were College Park Church served as a training built in 1954. center where students - prospective workers The master plan of the college included a - were offered opportunities to take part in separate church edifice, which was its religious programs and to learn how to supposed to be built between the men's organize and conduct dignified and dormitory and the bakery building. This edifying church services. plan never materialized because of lack of Although no evangelistic efforts were funds. held in the College Park Church (due to its From 1965 to 1978, when Middle East proximity to Bousherieh Church), its pastors College functioned under the jurisdiction of and members gave full support to the two successive Divisions namely Middle evangelistic activities of all the Seventh-day East Division and Afro-Mideast Division, Adventist Churches throughout Lebanon.

College Park Church in Grand Hotel, Beit Mery (1946) College Park Church in the college cafeteria (1948) 43

They took part in the work of distributing East College, with a membership of about handbills, visiting and providing rich music 65 continues to provide lofty worship for its in the evangelistic efforts. Besides, two of its constituency and to present the gospel to pastors namely Frederick Harder (College the community through its various President), Kenneth Vine (College outreach programs. It is worth noting that President) and Richard Muller (Head of the a host of outstanding Adventist ministers Religion Department of the College) from around the world including three conducted public meetings in Bourj- General Conference Presidents - Elder R. R. Hammoud, Aramoun and Bishmezzine Fighur, Elder Robert Pearson and Elder respectively. Neal Wilson have preached from the pulpit The Lebanese civil war (1975-1991) had a of the College Park Church bringing detrimental effect on the operation of the messages of hope and encouragement from college. The college area - Sabtiye - was heaven to God's Remnant people in intensely bombed. Classes were Lebanon. discontinued. Expatriate workers residing at the college and in other organizations in The following people have served as Lebanon were asked to leave Lebanon for pastors of College Park Church from its safety reasons. So, there was a mass beginning to the present time: evacuation in 1978 and 1982 as a result of College administration-1939-1945, J. S. which all expatriate workers and most of Russell - 1947-1951, 1957-1952, 1965-1969, the non-Lebanese students departed from 1981-1982, G. A. Keough-1951-1952, 1954- Lebanon. Thus both the college enrollment 1956, 1962-1963, G. M. Krick - 1952-1953, A. and membership of the College Park W. Fiedler- 1953-1954, Fred Veltman - 1956- Church were sharply reduced. 1957, K. L. Vine - 1958-1960, E. L. Gammon - Despite this setback beyond control, a 1960, K. S. Oster - 1960-1961, H. S. Johnson - company of dedicated and courageous 1961, W. E. Olson - 1963-196430, Richard indigenous workers with their faith Fenn (associate pastor) - 1966-1969, Bertil anchored in God, kept the college and the Gilleroth - 1970, Edward Skoretz - 1971- College Park Church running in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties. 1975, Arthur Moyer - 1976-1977, Jon Green - When the sixteen - year long Lebanese war 1978, Johnny Manassian -1979-1980, 1985, ended in 1991, both the college and the Ray Roth - 1983-1984, Hamzik College Park Church began to function Keshishzadeh - 1990-1992, Raja Farah -1992- freely and normally again. Today College 1993, Levon Maksoudian - 1993-1994,

Park Church, the throbbing heart of Middle Claude Lombart - 1995 to present time.

Exterior view of the College Park Church Interior view of the College Park Church 44

Middle East College administration building, library and classrooms

Middle East College Boys Dormitory

Middle East College Girls Dormitory MIDDLE EAST COLLEGE

Date of establishment of college: 1939 Location or address of college: Originally Mouseitbeh, Now Sabtieh, Bouchrieh, Beirut, Lebanon Student enrolment: Lowest number of students enrolled: 12 students Highest number of students enrolled: 260 students Current student enrolment: 149 students

Current number of teachers: 12 regular, 14 part-time

Financial status of college: Is the college subsidized by the Middle East Union? No Is the college self-supporting? Yes

Names of college presidents in chronological order:

G. Arthur Keough, 1939-1949, 1962-1965 Gilbert M. Krick, 1944-1946, 1950-1951 Frederick E. J. Harder, 1946-1950 Thomas S. Geraty, 1951-1955, 1957-1959 Cecil L. Gemmell (Interim President) 1955-1957 George Y. Got (Interim President) - 1957 Reymond H. Hartwell (Interim President) - 1959 Robert C. Darnell (Interim President) 1959-1960 Ed. D. Gammon, 1960-1961 Keneth L. Vine, 1965-1971 Ole C. Bjerkan, 1971-1974

Victor Christianson (Interim President) - 1974 Ralph L. Koorenny, 1974-1978 Joseph Estephan, 1978-1980 Donald 0. Eichner, 1980-1984 Edmond A. Haddad (Interim President) - 1983 Manoug Nazirian (Interim President) 1984 Edmond Haddad, 1984-1990 Manoug Nazirian, 1990-1993 Juanito Villagomez, 1993-1997 Svein Myklebust, 1997 to present time

The following are some of the worthy contributions the college has made to the SDA church in Lebanon: Almost all the national workers who are serving the SDA Church in various capacities in the Middle East region have been trained at Middle East College. It has also educated many young people from different religious backgrounds, who are now holding important positions and are making worthy contributions to their countries. It has given full support to the outreach programs of the SDA Church in Lebanon. It is known as the educational flagship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East. 46

Mouseitbeh Adventist Secondary School administration building and classrooms

ADVENTIST SECONDARY SCHOOL F011\01-A1 192 0

-AB• aoto im

Facade of Mouseitbeh Adventist Secondary School 47 MOUSEITBEH ADVENTIST SECONDARY SCHOOL

Date of establishment of school: 1929 Location or address of school: Mouseithbeh, Mar Elias Str., Beirut, Lebanon

Levels of school: The Primary level began in (year): 1929 The Elementary level began in (year): 1929 The Intermediate level began in (year): 1931 The Secondary level began in (year): 1973

Student enrolment: Lowest number of students enrolled: 150 Highest number of students enrolled: 1060 Current student enrolment: 1026

Highest number of teachers employed: 73

Financial status of school: Was the school subsidized by the East Mediterranean Field? No Was the school self-supporting? Yes

Nathes of school principals in chronological order:

Hanna Gibran Salim Njeim Adeeb Fargo Jad Katrib Issa Kharma Alfred Akar L. H. Cowles Jad Katrib Samir Shahine Issa Kharma Johnny Manassian

The following are some of the worthy contributions the school has made to the SDA church in Lebanon: Supports the EMF financially. Produced many workers. It is an effective agency for spreading God's message of love and salvation in West Beirut.

Note: The names of teachers who taught in Mouseitbeh Adventist Secondary School are recorded in the directory of employees. 4$ MOUSEITBEH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in day Adventist Church. It was Walter K. Zeydaniye Mouseitbeh, West Beirut, is Ising, the self-sacrificing pioneer missionary known as "the mother church", because not from Germany who was used by the Holy only was it the first Arabic speaking church Spirit to erect a new memorial for God's in Lebanon but also played a direct role in glory and for the proclamation of His last the establishment of other Arabic churches in warning and saving message in Beirut, the Lebanon. heart of Lebanon. The date 1908-1911 as referred to earlier, Before Mouseitbeh Seventh-day marks the beginning of Mouseitbeh Seventh- Adventist Church was built on its present site in Zeydaniye, Mouseitbeh, the original church members together with their Pastor Walter Ising held their religious services in in the pastor's home in the district of Howz Saatiye, near American University of Beirut. In 1915 there were only 10 Seventh-day Adventists in Beirut. As the war continued, the original membership dwindled or was scattered. Following World War I, Nils Zerne from Switzerland arrived in Beirut in 1923 and assumed the leadership of the church in Lebanon and Syria. At the first opportunity he set out to regroup the scattered members and began nurturing them spiritually. As our church members ardently shared their God-given faith with their fellow-citizens, the Lord added new converts to the fold of Christ. Membership grew to the point where expansion was needed. So during Nils Zerne's and Walter Ising's leadership a piece of land was purchased in Zeydaniye, Mouseitbeh, on which a beautiful church building was built in 1929. The three Ghazal brothers (who had

come from Turkey) - Melki (Aida Farah's father) and her two uncles Ibrahim and Najeeb Facade of the Mouseitbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church built in 1929. built the Mouseitbeh Church. 49

Mansour Aboujawdeh (Faiza Asmar's From its beginning up to the present time father) made the wooden doors and Mouseitbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church windows in the church, and Nazaret has received pastoral and evangelistic care Ohanian did the painting. In addition to the and leadership from the following workers: Aboujawdehs and Ghazals, among the Walter Ising, Nils Zerne, Shukry Nowfel, original members of Mouseitbeh were Ibrahim El-Khalil, C. C. Crider, Anees Michael Ghafary (father of Manasseh Haddad, George Raffoul, Maurice Katreeb, Ghafary), Shukry Nowfel, (first national Salim Noujeim, W. A. Potter, George Khoury, ordained minister in Lebanon), Ibrahim Samir Shahine, and Elie Wehbe (present pastor). Touma (father of Rose Kharma), and Ibrahim El-Khalil. The Mouseitbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church has been a lighthouse for "present In the 1950s, Mouseitbeh Adventist truth" for sixty years. The Lord has used it Secondary School badly needed additional as an avenue to bring many Lebanese into space due to its rapidly growing enrollment. the fold of the Great Shepherd. This church So, the Mouseitbeh Church building with its has under God's blessing produced more facilities were handed over to the school to than 40 national workers who have made help it meet its physical needs. This and are still making a worthy contribution to necessitated the construction of a new the SDA church in Lebanon. The names of church building on the school property in these workers appear in the directory of 1959. employees.

The new Seventh-day Adventist church built in 1959, Facade of the new Mouseithbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church Mouseitbeh, Beirut. 50

Middle East Pess situated on the Sabtiye Hill, Beirut.

MIDDLE EAST PRESS PRINT ERS.,0PUBLISHERS

Offset printing machine

Much of the literature produced at Middle East Press was distributed by student colporteurs in Lebanon. 51 MIDDLE EAST PRESS

Date of establishment: 1947 Location or address of press: P.O.Box 90484, Jdeidt EL Matn, Ferdaws St., Sabtieh Hill, Beirut, Lebanon Type of literature produced: Religious, Health and Social. Languages in which literature is produced: Arabic, English, Armenian, Persian (Farisi). Geographical area the press is serving: Countries of the Middle East Union.

Is the press a self-supporting institution? No Is the press subsidized by the Middle East Union? Yes Highest number of workers employed in the past: 26 Current number of workers: 4

Names of press managers in chronological order:

C. Dinning (1951-1952) J. McCulloch ( 1952-1958) E. Anderson (1969-1976) A. Akman (1969-1976) Deitter Gramkow (1976-1982) Roger Stocks (1982-1984) Moses Elmadgian (1985-1990) Roland Fidelia (1992-1996) Elias Asmar, Acting Manager (1996 to present time)

Some of the worthy contributions the press has made to the SDA church in Lebanon:

Supplied the literature evangelists with the books needed which in turn made the Adventists known all over Lebanon. Helped students gain scholarships, who in turn graduated and some of whom are currently serving the church in the Middle East and elsewhere. Supplies the church in Lebanon with Bible Lessons for the use of pastors and Bible workers. Gave the church an Arabic Church Manual for its workers and nationals in Lebanon who do not read the English Language. Is currently in touch with other presses and publishing houses and acquaints them with our literature through printing some of it there. 52

The office of the "Voice of Prophecy" Bible Correspondence School on the third floor of the Adventist Center, Hotel Dieu street, Beirut

Arabic Voice of Prophecy graduation in Beirut Adventist Center

Armenian Voice of Prophecy graduation in Beirut Adventist Center 53 "VOICE OF PROPHECY"

Bible Correspondence School

A Bible Correspondence School called Voice From 1948-1958 the Voice of Prophecy of Prophecy was established in 1948 in order to Correspondence School effectively carried out augment the proclamation of the advent its mission from Mouseitbeh. Then in 1959 it message in Lebanon. Its office was located on was transferred to its new office on the third the first floor of the Mouseitbeh Seventh-day floor of the Adventist Cultural Center in Hotel Adventist Church building in West Beirut. The Dieu Street, Ashrafiye, Beirut. The new VOP was under the supervision of the East spacious Voice of Prophecy office was placed Mediterranean Union. under the direction of a new staff consisting of Elder George Keough served as its first Philip Srour, Director, Michael Katreeb and director. Five other workers assisted him in Nawal Estephan in charge of the Arabic running it. Elder Keough, who spoke Arabic lessons, and Haigouhy Keushguerian Delice fluently, Najla Aboujawdeh, Esther Ghazal responsible for the Armenian lessons. When and Naheela Kerkanny took care of the Arabic Philip Srour was transferred to the Middle lessons, Aram Ashod and Sella Nazirian were East Union Michael Katreeb became the responsible for the Armenian lessons. director of the Voice of Prophecy. The Seventh-day Adventist churches in In order to widen the outreach of the Voice Lebanon enthusiastically supported this of Prophecy, health courses in Arabic and unique school by enrolling thousands of Armenian were added. It is worth noting that students. who were desiring to read the word the Voice of Prophecy in Lebanon had a good of God. A considerable number of enrollees number of enrollees from various Arab were non -Christians. countries in the Middle East. One of the The Voice of Prophecy Bible highlights of Voice of Prophecy were the Correspondence course consisted of 36 lessons graduation ceremonies in which enrollees who that covered the fundamental teachings of the had completed the courses received their Bible. These lessons were daily sent into the certificates. These were thrilling occasions. homes of hundreds of people throughout Lebanon. Through this effective agency the During its 28 years of existence (1948-1976) seeds of truth were sown in many places in the VOP served as an efficient agency through Lebanon that were not accessible to our which the saving seeds of God's word were preachers. sown in the hearts of thousands of people. Only eternity will reveal the blessings that Many thrilling testimonies were received from the enrollees. One of these testimonies resulted from this agency. The school closed reads: "Since I began to read your lessons, I down in 1976 due to lack of proper promotion felt as if the Holy Spirit was working in me. and funding. It is hoped that the East But on the other hand the devil is tempting my Mediterranean Field leadership will give due soul. Please pray for me that I may be firm in consideration to reviving this unique means of the truth of the Bible." 31 proclaiming God's glorious message. 54

The physiotherapy clinic on the second floor of the Beirut Adventist Center, Hotel Dieu street, Beirut

uix1cor PliPSWINERAPV NA SSA fif

The physiotherapy clinic staff right to left: Leif Jensen, Mrs. Jensen, sister Abdel Malek, Ayoub Azar 5 7) ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Aimed at Expanding the Mission Outreach of the Church

The period from 1947 to 1981 was marked to Bekfaya, a famous town in the mountainous by several additional developments aimed at district of Math. Pastor Jerald Whitehouse expanding the mission outreach of the church (from USA) accepted the challenge to carry out in Lebanon. These developments were: this project. A place of worship was rented there where he and his team held weekly In 1947, when Middle East College was meetings. Their faithful efforts, blessed by functioning in Beit Mery, a six-grade school Heaven, produced a couple of baptisms. In his was begun there under the care of Elias Yousef work Pastor Whitehouse was assisted by his and Mary Nassimian (Bitar). The school dedicated wife, Adel Kamal (a resident of proved to be a blessing to many non-Adventist Bekfaya), national ministers, and students and children who learned the Bible truths and expatriate workers from Middle East College. participated in the Missionary Volunteer After Pastor Whitehouse departed from Progressive classes. Lebanon in June 1973, the Bekfaya project In 1948, Pastor W. E. Olson opened a continued until 1975 as a result of which the school with 60 students at Chekka, North light of truth was spread in the Math district of Lebanon, but it was short lived. Lebanon. In the early years of 1950's attempts were Zahle, the capital city of the famous made to carry the Advent Message to South Bekaa Valley, was also targeted for Lebanon. In harmony with this plan Pastor evangelism. In 1975, Pastor Nathan Daoud Moussa Ghazal, a Lebanese graduate of (Egyptian) was given the responsibility to Middle East College, was sent to Marjayoun. preach the message in that new region. He Similarly, Pastor Daniel V. Kubrock (from carried on his evangelistic activities in a rented USA) was commissioned to evangelize the apartment which was used as a church. Sidon area. After sowing the seeds of truth in Several national and expatriate workers the region for a short while, both of these assisted him in his work. Among them was ministers were transferred to North Lebanon Elder Borge Schantz, the President of the East to develop the work there. Mediterranean Field, who conducted an evangelistic effort in the church. Our youth A physiotherapy clinic, located on the also supported the church's program through second floor of the Adventist Cultural Center canvassing work. Their efforts were in Hotel Dieu Street, Ashrafieh, Beirut, productive, and a company of believers were functioned during the decade from 1958 to organized there. But the evangelistic thrust of 1968. The purpose of the physiotherapy clinic the church in Zahle was interrupted in 1981 was to augment the evangelistic program of when the church pastor left the area, and the church through the health work which is another qualified minister was not available to known as "the Right Arm of the Message." take his place. The staff of the physiotherapy clinic consisted It is God's plan that His church should take of Leif Jensen (Dane, Director), Mrs. Leif aggressive steps to carry the message into un- Jensen, Ayoub Azar, sister Abdel-Malak, and entered territories in Lebanon. Relying on our Serpouhy Maksoudian. past experiences, we believe that the In 1969, the East Mediterranean Field successful implementation of this worthy plan launched another evangelistic project with the demands teamwork - expatriate and national purpose of taking the Three Angels' Messages ministers working together. 56

Elder Anees Haddad, Director of the former East Mediterranean Union M.V. Department, introduced into the Middle East the plan of holding summer camps for Adventist young people.

The first Master Guide Leaders' Training Camp (MGLTC I) held in Maaser, Shouf, 1953. 57 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YOUTH IN LEBANON

From its very beginning the Seventh-day Department of the East Mediterranean Union Adventist church in Lebanon, like its sister (under the presidency of Eder R. H. Hartwell), churches around the world, has had a special introduced into the Field the plan of holding care for its youth. It has given due attention to summer camps for Adventist young people. In its young people by providing various 1953, under his leadership a Master Guide facilities aimed at meeting their physical, Leaders' Training Camp was held in Maaser, mental and spiritual needs. Shouf. All Master Guides in Lebanon - One of these facilities was the organization expatriate and indigenous - were invited to attend this historic training camp in which of the Young People's Society called they were trained how to run summer camps Missionary Volunteer's Society (M. V. Society) for the youth of the church. Following this whose objective was to train the youth to important event, Elder Haddad with a group strengthen the church and to work for the of trained Master Guides conducted the first salvation other youth. junior camp in Eshbeniyeh, Hammana, Each organized local church had an M. V. Lebanon. Since then many junior and senior Society. The main activities of the M. V. Society camps have been held in Lebanon and in other were holding regular meetings for youth, Middle Eastern countries where we have following the Morning Watch, the Bible Year, and established work. These summer training the M. V. Reading Course, participating in camps, conducted under dedicated and witnessing programs, wholesome activities and experienced youth leaders, have proved to be taking part in Progressive Class work. Every year a source of blessings to our youth in building the M. V. Societies in our churches and schools them up spiritually and leading them to conducted Investiture Services in which Christ. hundreds of Adventist and other children and It is instructive to remember that the first students received beautiful emblems and pins for Youth Department in the Lebanon-Syria completing the Progressive Class requirements. Mission was organized in 1956. In 1948-1949 the College Park Church had a We are deeply grateful to the Lord for the very active M. V. Society with a Master Guide role our youth have played in building up His Club consisting of a large group of Adventist cause in Lebanon to date. In these last days Workers and young people who had been God is calling them to lay their all on the invested as Master Guides. divine altar of sacrifice that He may empower The youth work was enriched when Elder them to do a greater work for Him and share Anees A. Haddad, Director of the Youth in the triumph of His message. 58 THE SIXTEEN YEAR LONG LEBANESE WAR (1975-1991)

Jesus said to His church: "...In this world with the normalization of the situation you will have trouble. But take heart I have throughout the country, God's remnant overcome the world" (John 16:33). people were granted a new opportunity to renew their consecration to Jesus by fully The Seventh-day Adventist Church in surrendering themselves to Him that He Lebanon passed through a time of awesome may be the Master of their lives and enable trouble. The trouble began on 1975 with the them to fulfill their unique mission and start of the civil war and went on for sixteen commission. long years until 1991. The greatest damage caused by this outrageous war was neither the widespread physical destruction of property throughout the country nor the severe economic crisis that hit Lebanon, but the loss of thousands of human lives. The Seventh-day Adventist church also lost three of its workers: Krikor Yessayan, elder of the Armenian SDA church and book- binder of Middle East Press, Wajih Faddoul, translator of Middle East Press, and Khalil Abbas, the gateman of Middle East College. Besides, this senseless war greatly hampered the progress of the church in Lebanon. Our school and church in Aramoun and the Ashrafieh Church were closed permanently. The Adventist Cultural Center in Ashrafieh, which was built in the "Green Line" sector in Beirut, the dividing line between the feuding parties, was terribly damaged. Weekly religious services at the Mouseitbeh and the Armenian Churches were discontinued. Many Adventist families immigrated to the U.S.A., and all expatriate workers serving at Middle East College, and the Middle East Union and the Afro-Mideast Division were evacuated for safety reasons. During this period the evangelistic outreach of the church was reduced to a minimum. But in spite of all obstacles a group of dedicated national workers who had remained at their posts of duty, trusting in the Lord and claiming His heartening promises continued the work.

Thanks be to God that the sixteen year The Beirut Adventist Center in Hotel Dieu street, Ashrafieh, long war, the worse calamity in the history was one of the several SDA buildings that was badly of Lebanon, came to an end in 1991. And damaged during the Lebanese war. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

of the SDA Church in Lebanon (1897-1997)

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in and organized this unique event. The College Lebanon joyfully celebrated its 100th Park Church (Middle East College) was the anniversary on June 5 and 6, 1998. A centennial venue for this historical occasion. The entire committee consisting of Manoug Nazirian SDA constituency in Lebanon as well as others (chairman), Jimmy Choufani (secretary), from the Middle East Union, Europe, and the Levon Maksoudian, and Issa Obeid planned USA were invited to attend it.

LLL6.6441 5,43J (4 Lo.8

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF

)5a.11 DAY ANENTIST CNLIRCII IN LEBANON COMM CELEBRATION Of Y ADVENTIST CHURCH Ank IN LEBANal LLED TO FULFILL CHRIST'S COMMISSION - 60 61

The centennial celebrations were marked by Following the Sabbath School the five highly edifying meetings. The opening Mousietbeh Church conducted an inspiring meeting held on Friday, June 5, 1998 (7:00 P.M.), baptismal service at the baptismal pool on the was devoted to a joint Communion Service in college campus. Tony and Samira Hallak were which all the SDA Churches in Lebanon and baptized into the Advent family in Lebanon. visitors from Cyprus, Europe, and the USA The officiating ministers were Rein Muhlberg participated. Elder Sven Jensen presented the and Elie Wehbe. message for the hour, which was, entitled Divine Service (11:30 A.M.): Dr. Baldur "Worthy is the Lamb." Other participants were: Pfeiffer, who represented the European SDA at the ordinance of foot washing: Danielle Church at the centennial celebrations, Phillips, Johnny Manassian, Svein Myklebust, preached the Sabbath morning sermon Claude Lombart, Manuk Benzatyan (from USA), entitled "Responsibility to Build". Other Venice Khoury; at the Lord's Supper: Claude workers who took part in this divine service Lombart, George Khoury, Elie Abourjiely, Kai were Housni Kolta, Claude Lombart, Levon Arasola; deacons and deaconesses: Jack Maksoudian, Roland Fidelia, Steven Havatian, Fouad Khoury, Raffik Keshishzadeh, Manougian, Mana Manougian (pianist, lay Martin Modi, Faiza Asmar, Wadad Karam, member), Raja Farah (pianist), and Nabil Elizabeth Atamian, Ida Arasola, and Raja Farah Mansour (translator). A special offering of LL. (pianist). This sacred service, properly planned 30,000 per family was collected in order to and conducted, brought encouragement and finance the printing of an Arabic hymnbook. spiritual renewal to God's people in Lebanon. This church service provided a unique hour of On Sabbath, June 6, 1998 four meetings inspiration and Christian fellowship for the were held as follows: SDA community in Lebanon. 1. Sabbath School (9:30 P.M.): Halim After the divine service, all those present Chehadi served as Sabbath School were invited to a special centennial meal in the superintendent. The various features of the college cafeteria. The East Mediterranean Field Sabbath School program were presented by and the SDA churches in Lebanon shared in Raffy Manassian, Fawzi Deeb, Maria Lombart, the expense of the food. This was a kind of Suhad Kharma, Elie Gibran, and Sylvia Kiraz love feast reminiscent of the fellowship meals (pianist). The Sabbath School teachers were: Christ's followers used to have in the apostolic William Olson, Elie Abourjiely, Elie Wehbe, times. Aram Matta, Raffik Keshishzadeh, Rein Special Centennial Celebration (5:00 Muhlberg, Jimmy Choufani, Valerie Fidelia, P.M.): This particular meeting was held on the Ida Arasola, and Ibtissam Abdalla. This was a college lawn and was attended by 300 special Sabbath School in that the entire SDA Adventists and non-Adventists. Those who Church in Lebanon was at study. took part and made appropriate speeches 62 were George Khoury, Svein Myklebust, contributors were Manuk Benzatyan (song Claude Lombart, Manoug Nazirian, Salim service), Raja Farah (vibra-harp solo), and Sahiouny (President of Evangelical Lydia Lombart (pianist). Five senior workers, Community in Syria & Lebanon), Baldur Faiza Asmar, Aida Farah, George Khoury, Pfeiffer, Sven Jensen, Nabil Mansour, Mana Baldur Pfeiffer, and Manoug Nazirian Manougian (pianist). The SDA choir "ALIVE", representing the pioneers, carried the lighted under Michael Sidawi's conductorship, torches (symbols of truth) and passed them on enriched the meeting with two uplifting songs. to five young people, Suzan Dallal, Mirna In this centennial celebration decided Karam, Pascal Chahine, Steven Manougian, emphasis was placed upon the worthy and Bell Yessayan. George Khoury appealed to contributions the SDA Church has made to them to accept and continue carrying these Lebanon in the fields of education, literature, torches until the gospel work is finished. Then health and temperance, and welfare. a solemn ceremony of candle lighting took This centennial celebration was followed by place indicating the willingness of our young a reception on the college lawn. people to share the light of truth with others. This inspiring youth meeting ended with a 4. Youth Meeting with Torches (7:30 P.M.): deepfelt consecration prayer offered by Elder This was a unique youth meeting conducted William Olson. under Jimmy Choufani's leadership. It was designed to challenge our youth to accept the This historical centennial celebration, under responsibility of finishing the proclamation of God's blessing, was an occasion of inspiration, the gospel message in Lebanon. Claude fellowship, spiritual renewal, and Lombart gave the address entitled, "The commitment to taking the Great Commission Challenge of an Unfinished Task". Other to the ancient Biblical land of Lebanon. 63 64

"P 1. 7,-;1111111e-V4"."- -Ireweros, 10Ifir." 65

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CONAI. CELBRATION CENTENNIAL CELFJ3RAT1ON Of OF SEOT-DAY AtIVENTIST CHURCh SEVENTH-DAY ADV ENTIST CHURCH IN IBM j014 IN LEB ANON A CALL TO F T4, RIST 11 FULFI

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CATION 'ST CHURCH

2; tttt FU vg, OUR DIVINE MISSION AND COMMISSION

Our divine mission and commission is TO challenge to continue the good work our PREACH THE GOSPEL to all the world with pioneers began and to bring it to completion. the purpose of preparing humankind for the In harmony with Christ's declaration second coming of Jesus Christ. This is the most awesome responsibility ever recorded in Matthew 24:14 the messenger of the committed to the church. Lord bequeathed to His Church this reassuring message: "During the loud cry, the church, aided The pioneers of the Seventh-day by the providential interpositions of her exalted Adventist Church addressed themselves to Lord, will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so this responsibility with their God given abundantly that light will be communicated to resources and accomplished enduring every city and town. The earth will be filled with achievements by building the church upon a the knowledge of salvation. So abundantly will solid foundation. the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with In comparison, we as their successors, success the intensely active agencies, that the have many advantages over them. Just light of present truth will be flushing consider the facilities the Seventh-day everywhere" (Review and Herald, Oct. 13, 1904). Adventist Church has today. In the light of this, God's people and especially the May God help us to hasten this glorious Adventist Youth must readily accept the day.

Second coming of Jesus 69 PRESIDENTS OF THE EAST MEDITERRANEAN FIELD

In Chronological Order (1909-1997)

Walter K. Ising 1909-1914, 1930-1937 Henry Erzberger 1915-1917 Nils Zerne 1923-1929 George Keough 1938-1942 E. L. Branson 1943-1946, 1949-1950 B. J. Mondics 1947-1948 R. H. Hartwell 1952-1955 Salim Noujaim 1959-1961 Harry Robinson 1962-1963 George Khoury 1963-1967 Chafic Srour 1967-1971 R. D. Pifer 1971-1974 Borge Schantz 1974-1976 Manoug Nazirian 1977-1983 Basim Aziz 1985-1988 Samir Chahine 1988-1990 Roland Fidelia 1992-1996 Claude Lombart 1996 to present time

Note: In addition to the above-mentioned leaders the following. eople directed the affairs of the East Mediterranean Field:

W. E. Olson (Acting President) 1956-1958 T. S. Staples (Chairman, EMF Committee) 1983 Gerry Karst (Chairman, EMF Committee) 1983-1984 R. Thompson (Acting President) 1991-1992 Svein Johansen (Chairman, EMF Committee) 1993

70

11111111111•••• M

MIIIII1111111111111111111 Portrait ■• not ■• available • ■ ■ Portrait • 111111MOMMIMMO

11 not ■• available 111 • - • • m ■ lissusso Walter K. Ising ■• Nils Zerne 1909-1914, 1930-1937 ■ 1923-1929 ■• ■ 1111111111111111111111111111•M Henry Erzberger 1915-1917

George Keough B.J. Mondics 1938-1942 1947-1948

E.L. Branson 1943-1946,1949-1950 71 essassaimunme •MMUSIMMIMI 111111111111111 MUM R.H. Hartwell Harry Robinson 1952-1955 1962-1963

ussuM1111100.011011 .. Salim Noujaim 1959-1961

mussessussule George Khoury R.D. Pifer 1963-1967 1971-1974

Chafic Srour 1967-1971 72

NOSIONOISOOOSSO ;go ■ a a IITTIJT

a II a

a I ■ ■

a IIIIII a I a a a a a ITiII1_ a I OBSOOSOMMOOSSOS Borge Schantz Basim Aziz 1974-1976 1985-1988

Manoug Nazirian 1977-1983

NOOSOSOMOSONSOS

ill II VW Samir Chahine Claude Lombart 1988-1990 1996- to present time

Roland Fidelia 1992-1996 73 SECRETARY-TREASURERS OF THE EAST MEDITERRANEAN FIELD

In Chronological Order (1909 - 1997)32

No secretary-treasurer (Formative years) 1909-1912 L. Krug (Secretary) 1913-1917 No secretary-treasurer (Period after World War I) 1918-1931 E. Maier 1932-1940 No secretary-treasurer 1941 A. G. Rogers 1942-1943 C. H. Mackett 1944-1945 Khalil Yared (Secretary) 1945-1947 C. H. Mackett (Treasurer) 1945-1947 A. B. King 1948-1949 E. S. Cubley 1950 A. B. King 1951 George B. Yared 1952-1961 T. S. Hasbani 1962-1963 George B. Yared 1963-1968 Minas Meguerditchian 1969-1971 George B. Yared 1972-1974 Leon Thomasian 1975-1977 Husni Kolta (Assistant secretary-treasurer) 1978-1983 Husni Kolta 1983-1992 Samaan Ghali 1992-1996 Husni Kolta 1996 to present time 74

M E M O R IE s

Central European Division (Section Two) Council held in Cairo, Egypt, February, 1939. From left: Row I (seated), Wilhelm Lesovski(1), George Keough (5), E.L. Branson (9). Row II (standing), Shukry Nowfel (6), Maurice Grin (8), Ibrahim El-Khalil (9), Mrs. El-Khalil (11), Arthur Kneough (14), Mrs. Branson (21). 75

Wilhelm and Charlotte Lesovski, pioneer missionaries to Lebanon and Syria

Walter K. Ising and Ibrahim El-Khalil

Pole jumper at Middle East College became a gospel minister in Lebanon (1948).

First graduates of Middle East College High School, 1946, Arabic elementary church school operated by Middle East Beit Mery. College. The branch Sabbath School that was organized in the From right, Row I: Mousa Ghazal (1), Manoug Nazirian (3), Assyrian Camp at the bottom of the Sabtiye Hill was Sara Ghazal (6), Fares Bishai (11). transferred to this building in 1956. Later this school Row II: Sella Maksoudian Nazirian (3), Angel Der Housiguian building was enlarged by new additions to accomodate the Manassian (11). headquarters of the Middle East Union and the East These graduates became workers in Lebanon. Mediterranean Field. 76

Andrews University Extension School, July 9 to August 20, 1961, Beirut, Lebanon. Thirty-six of these expatriate and nationl workers served in Lebanon. Can you identify them?

Lebanon - Iraq youth camp at Baskinta, August 23 to September 7, 1963 77

Quadrennial Council representatives The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East Division, Broumana, Lebanon, November 10-13, 1967

Delegates including workers from Lebanon represented the Middle East Division at the 1966 General Conference Session held in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. 78

Members of the various Seventh-day Adventist Churches in the Beirut area constituted this large work force of the Middle East Press (1963).

East Mediterranean Field headquarters, Sabtiye, Boucherieh, Beirut

RC lDQUARTERH' OF TM SEVENTH DAYADVENTIST CHURCH WIAHONa dORDAN

The children's choir of the College Park Church visits a patient as a part of the lay activities band work in the hospital (1970).

Adventist youth retreat, Bekfaya, 1994 79

Key to Abbreviations of Names of Seventh-day Adventist Churches, Organizations, and Institutions Referred to in the Directory of Employees.

AAS Aramoun Adventist School AMD Afro-Mideast Division ASAC Aramoun Seventh-day Adventist Church Arm AS Armenian Adventist School Arm SAC Armenian Seventh-day Adventist Church Ash SAC Ashrafieh Seventh-day Adventist Church AUM Arabic Union Mission BACS Beirut Adventist Church School BASS Boucherieh Adventist Secondary School Bish SAC Bishmezzine Seventh-day Adventist Church Bish AS Bishmezzine Adventist School BSAC Boucherieh Seventh-day Adventist Church CPC College Park Church EMF East Mediterranean Field EMU East Mediterranean Union ESAM European Seventh-day Adventist Mission LS Lebanon Section LSM Lebanon-Syria Mission LSS Lebanon-Syria Section MASS Mouseitbeh Adventist Secondary School MSAC Mouseitbeh Seventh-day Adventist Church MEC Middle East College MED Middle East Division MEFTT Muslim Evangelism Forward Thrust Team MEP Middle East Press MEU Middle East Union PC Physiotherapy Clinic SEM Syrian-Egyptian Mission SM Syrian Mission VOP Voice of Prophecy 80 DIRECTORY OF EMPLOYEES

The following is a directory of indigenous and expatriate employees who have served in various capacities in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its institutions in Lebanon from 1897-1997. Heartfelt appreciation is due to each of them for the contribution he/she has made to God's cause in Lebanon. The dates recorded in this directory of employees indicate the time employees began to serve in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lebanon in any capacity and not the time they entered denominational work.

Names of Employees Date of Initial Type of Work Performed Service

A. B. King 1948 Secretary-treasurer, LSM A. E. Lind 1970 President, AMD A. G. Rodgers 1942 Treasurer, SM A. H. Brandt 1970 Lay Activities, Youth Director, AMD A. J. Jones 1952 Treasurer, MEC A. R. Mazat 1951 VOP Director, MED A. W. Fund 1953 Treasurer, EMU Abdallah Jeha 1983 Teacher, MEC Abdallah Makhoul 1979 Credentialed Literature Evangelist Abdel-Massih Khamsmieh 1955 Teacher, AAS and MASS, Bible Instructor Abed Doweis 1997 Publishing Director, EMF Abraham La Rue 1897 Self-supporting pioneer colporteur to China Abraham Mazloumian 1945 Licensed Minister, Arm SAC Acaby Bedelian 1932 Missionary Liscentiate, SM Adeeb Fargo 1949 Licensed minister, Principal, MASS Adeeb Kamal 1978 Licensed Literature Evangelist Adel Aboujawda 1965 Teacher and Principal, AAS, Acting Principal, Bish AS Adel Kamal 1977 Credentialed Literature Evangelist Adrene Azadian 1974 Secretary, MEC Afif Jeha 1961 Teacher, MASS, AAS, Bish AS Ahad Samaan 1966 Teacher, MEC Aida Farah 1941 Credentialed teacher, MASS, BASS, Credentialed Bible Worker, Lebanon Alfred Akar 1954 Principal, Bish AS, AAS Alice Elmadjian 1964 Teacher, Arm AS Alice Iwaz 1982 Teacher, MASS Alice Majeed 1970 Credentialed teacher, BASS Allan Philips 1996 Elder, CPC, Head of English Dept., MEC Amir Ghali 1990 Teacher, BACS Anahid Barsoumian 1961 Teacher, Arm AS Anahid Benzatyan 1970 Office Secretary, MEU Anahid Murdesemjian 1957 Teacher, Arm AS 81

Anahid Ohannessian 1979 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS, BASS Andrew Barr 1926 Missionary Licentiate, SM Anees A. Haddad 1956 Youth and Sabbath School Director, EMU, LSM, Pastor, MSAC, Youth, Sabbath School, Temperance Director, MED Aneesi Nakhle 1974 Teacher, MEC Angel Manassian 1951 Credentialed teacher, MASS, Arm AS, MEC Angel Yessayan 1987 Bible Worker, Arm SAC Angely Gayed 1972 Pastor, BSAC, EMF Committee member Annette Leatherman 1983 Teacher, MEC Annig Maksoudian 1965 Teacher, Arm AS Antoine Jabbour 1960 Teacher, MEC Antranig Avakian 1956 Teacher, Arm AS Anwar Ayoubi 1966 Teacher, MASS Ara Yerganian 1972 Maintenance Worker, gateman, MEC Aram Aghassian 1946 Lay Activities Director, LSS, Pastor, Arm SAC Aram Ashod 1951 Licensed Minister, MEP Translator Araxy Tcherkezian 1973 Teacher, Arm AS Armond Manassian 1985 Teacher, Head of Business Department, MEC Arthur Keough 1939 President, MEC, CPC Pastor Arthur Keough (Mrs.) 1939 Wife of Arthur Keough Arthur Moyer 1976 Pastor, CPC Awada Abd-Elshadid 1909 SEM, Committee Member Ayoub Azar 1963 PC worker

B. Baldwin 1978 Secretary of Instructional Services, MEC Baldur Pfeiffer 1966 Teacher, MEC, Head of History Department, MEC Basim Aziz 1985 President, EMF Bassam Asmar 1996 Assistant Accountant, MEU Bassam Karam 1968 Credentialed teacher, Assistant Principal, BASS Bedros Kolian 1970 Teacher, Arm AS Bekele Heye 1970 Sabbath School Director, AMD Benjamil Rahail 1974 Teacher, Arm AS Benjamin J. Mondics 1947 President, SM Bert Gilleroth 1966 Pastor, CPC Bertram Chan 1972 Teacher, MEC Beverly Roth 1983 Teacher, MEC Bonavee Eichner 1983 Teacher, MEC Borge Shantz 1977 President, EMF, Youth and Lay Activities Director, AMD Boutros Ghazal 1977 Lebanon Legal Association Committee member, MEP treasurer Bruce O'neil 1974 Teacher, MEC B.J. Mondics (Mrs.) 1947 Teacher, MEC 82

C. C. Norris 1956 Secretary-treasurer, MED C. D. Watson 1976 President, AMD C. D. Watson (Mrs.) 1976 Wife of C. D. Watson C. E. Schmidt 1967 Treasurer, AMD C. H. Mackett 1944 Secretary-treasurer, SM C. V. Brauer 1963 Radio and Sabbath Director, MED Carmelita Troy 1983 Teacher, MEC Carol Issa 1996 Teacher, Bish AS, MASS Caroline Russell 1967 Teacher, MEC Cecil David 1991 Teacher, Church Elder, MEC Cecil L. Gemmell 1955 Interim President, MEC Chafic Srour 1936 Teacher, MASS, President, LS Chafic Srour (Mrs.) 1967 Wife of Chafic Srour Charlotte Conway 1974 Music Teacher, MEC Charlotte Lesovsky 1929 Teacher, MASS Christina Nazirian 1971 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS Claude Lombart 1996 EMF President, CPC Pastor, EMF Stewardship & Global Mission Director Costy Sawada 1963 Teacher, Bish AS Craig Newborn 1980 Youth Director, EMF, Youth, S School, Lay Activities Director, MEU

D. K. Bazara 1970 Field Secretary Stewardship and Development Secretary, AMD D. L. Chappell 1964 Publishing Director, MED Dale Hepker 1966 Teacher, Dean of Men, MEC Dalal Aziz 1985 Bible Teacher, Amman Adventist School Dalton Baldwin 1978 Teacher, MEC Danielle Philips 1996 Deaconess, CPC, Secretary to President, MEC Daniel V. Kubrock 1954 Pastor, Bish SAC David Zavas 1983 Teacher, MEC Dean 0. McDaniel 1973 Evangelist, Lebanon Diana Atamian 1991 Teacher, MEC Dikran Der Housikian 1932 Missionary Licentiate, SM, Pastor, ARM SAC Dirouhy Garabedian 1961 Teacher, Arm AS Doly D. Jeha 1980 Teacher, Bish AS Don Leatherman 1983 Teacher, MEC Donald 0. Eichner 1980 President, MEC, EMF Committee member Dorothy Oster 1972 Music Teacher, MEC Dorothy Winslow 1949 Librarian, MEC Dorris Moris 1966 Teacher, MEC Dean McDaniel (Mrs.) 1973 Wife of Dean McDaniel Dwight Rose 1978 Principal, Beirut Overseas School Dwight Rose (Mrs.) 1978 Teacher, Beirut Overseas School 83

E. D. Mc Ghee 1958 Teacher, MEC E. G. Gregg 1978 Secretary-treasurer, AMD E. L. Branson 1943 President, SM, MEU E. L. Branson (Mrs.) 1943 Wife of E.L. Branson, Teacher, MEC E. L. Gammon (Mrs.) 1960 Teacher, MEC E. S. Cubley 1950 Secretary-treasurer, SM, MEU E. W. Pedersen 1975 President, AMD Earnest Runge 1974 Superintendent, Land and Development, MEC Earnest W. Waring 1959 Teacher, Dean of Men, MEC Ed D. Gammon 1960 President, MEC, Pastor, CPC Edith Davis 1948 Education Secretary, LSS, Teacher MEC Edmond Haddad 1966 Teacher, Academic Dean, President, MEC, MEC,Executive Committee Member, EMF Edward Boghbadian 1963 Teacher, Arm AS Edward Skoretz 1972 Teacher, MEC, Pastor, CPC Eileen Manassian Ghali 1988 Teacher, BASS Elias Asmar 1962 Press Worker, Lebanon Legal Association Committee member, Acting Manager, MEP Elias Choufani 1985 Credentialed Teacher, Associate Principal, MASS Elias Estephan 1960 Licensed minister, Beirut Publishing Director, LS Elias Hanna Youssif 1947 Teacher, Beit-Mery Elementary School, MASS, Principal, AAS Elias Jeha 1956 Credentialed teacher, MASS, Arm AS, Principal, Bish AS and AAS Elias Zarub 1903 Licensed minister, SM Elias Zein 1957 Teacher, MASS Elie Abourejaili 1984 Lebanon Legal Association Committee member Church Elder, BSAC Elie Jibran 1991 Teacher, MASS Elie Wehbe 1979 Teacher, MASS, Pastor, MSAC, Lebanon Legal Association Secretary Ella Haddad 1966 Teacher, MEC Ellen Ghazal Khoury 1963 Licensed Bible Worker, LS Ellen Raffoul 1970 Credentialed teacher, MASS, BASS, Bish AS Ellen Sarkis 1966 Teacher, Bish AS Emile Tabanji 1964 VOP Worker, Teacher, MASS Erna Kruger 1949 Acting Dean of Women, MEC Esther Ghazal Katrib 1951 VOP Worker, Credentialed teacher, BASS Euphemia M. Bryne 1957 Teacher, MEC Eva Villagomez 1993 Teacher, Head Deaconess, MEC Evelyn Dikran 1939 Credentialed teacher, MASS, Arm AS Evelyn Hamer 1969 Teacher, MEC Evelyn Ibrahim 1976 Secretary, BASS 84

F. C. Webster 1967 President, MED F. C. Webster (Mrs.) 1967 Wife of F.C. Webster Frederick G. Harder 1946 President, MEC Frederick G. Harder (Mrs.) 1946 Wife of Frederick G. Harder, teacher, MEC F. Gregorius 1908 Missionary Licentiate, SM Fadia Farag 1983 Colporteur Trainer, Lebanon Fady Ghafary 1994 Pastor, Bish SAC, Assistant Pastor, BSAC Faiza Asmar 1956 Credentialed Teacher, MASS, BASS Farid Khoury 1990 Teacher, BASS, Teacher, MEC Faris B. Bishai 1951 Licensed minister, Bish SAC Faris Daw 1945 Executive Committee member, SM Fawzia Ghali 1983 Dorcas Leader, CPC, English Teacher, MEC Fawzi Deeb 1960 Teacher, AAS, MASS, Arm AS, Principal, AAS, Bish AS Fida Jeha 1991 Teacher, MASS, Bish AS Ferial Choufani 1994 Teacher, MASS Fida Abdel-Karim 1961 Teacher, AAS Francis Saliba 1992 Health & Temperance Director, EMF Fred Veltman 1956 Pastor, CPC Fouad Ashkar 1977 Bible teacher, MASS, Editor, MEP Fuad Nowfel 1961 Principal, Bish AS F. Gregorius (Mrs.) 1908 Missionary Licentiate, SM

G. Fargo 1952 Dean of Men„ MEC G. Fargo (Mrs.) 1952 Teacher, MEC G. J. Appel 1951 President, MED G. J. Appel (Mrs.) 1951 Wife of G. J. Appel G. M. Krick 1941 Executive Committee member, SM, President, MEC, Pastor, CPC G. M. Krick (Mrs.) 1952 Nursing Service, MEC Gabriel Bejjani 1978 Licensed minister, Bikfaya, Aramoun Gabriel Katrib 1971 Pastor, Bish SAC Gaby Melki 1979 Teacher, BASS, Arm AS, MEC Gaby Shamoun 1983 Literature Evangelist, Lebanon Garbis Bedelian 1955 Arm SAC Elder, mailman, janitor, MED, AMD Garo Baghchejian 1948 Executive Committee member, SM Gary Fresk 1971 Teacher, MEC Gary Gene Johnson 1969 Teacher, MEC George A. Khoury 1966 Principal, AAS, Treasurer, Business Manager, MEC George Asmar 1996 Teacher, BASS, MASS George Esber 1949 Credentialed teacher, MASS, Bish AS Principal, AAS George Ghazal 1965 Business Manager, MEC, Cashier, MEU 85

George Issa 1954 Principal, Bish AS, Teacher, MASS Bible Instructor, Registrar, MEC George Keough 1941 President, SM, AUM, VOP Director George Keough (Mrs.) 1941 Wife of George Keough George Khoury 1960 Pastor, MSAC, President, LS, Lebanon Legal Association President, MEU Evangelist, Ministerial Association and Personal Ministries Director, EMF George Manougian 1974 Superintendent, Maintenance and College Wood Products George Marinakis 1982 Teacher, MASS, Arm AS George Moujabbar 1955 Teacher, MASS George Raffoul 1951 Pastor, Bish SAC, ASAC, MSAC, Ash SAC, Lebanon Legal Association Committee member George Shahine 1954 Teacher, MASS George T. Gott 1957 Teacher, Business Manager, MEC George Terzibashian 1974 Teacher, MEC 'George Yared 1948 Secretary-treasurer, LSM Georgette Estephan 1963 Teacher, Bish AS, MASS Gerry Karst 1983 President, MEU Gladys Kubrock (Mrs.) 1954 Wife of Daniel Kubrock

H. D. Bresee 1968 Adventist Center Director H. D. Bresee (Mrs.) 1968 Wife of H. D. Bresee H. E. Robinson 1961 Evangelist, Beirut, President, LS H. N. Sheffield 1971 Medical and Temperance Secretary, AMD H. S. Holser 1898 Director, Central European Conference H. S. Johnson 1961 CPC Pastor Habib Rai 1968 Teacher, Assistant Principal, MASS Hagop Keushguerian 1953 Teacher, MASS, Principal, Arm AS Hagop Manougian 1996 Assistant Treasurer, CPC, Maintenance worker, MEC Haifa Abou Jawdeh 1957 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS, Principal, Bish AS, Teacher, MEC Haifa Srour 1947 Teacher, MASS Haigouhy Keushguerian 1945 Teacher, MASS, Principal, Arm AS, VOP Worker Halim Salloum 1982 Teacher, MASS Halim Shehadi 1996 Assistant Sabbath School Director, EMF Lebanon Legal Association Treasurer Hamad Obeid 1932 Pioneer Literature Evangelist, itinerant preacher Hamzik Keshishzadeh 1991 Pastor, CPC, Teacher, MEC Hana Abboud 1973 Teacher, Assistant Registrar Hana Nasr Jubran 1930 Principal, MASS Hanan Obeid 1983 Teacher, Arm AS, BAGS, Accountant, EMF Hanna Kebbas 1971 Licensed minister, Lebanon 86

Hanneh Katrib 1974 Teacher, Bish AS Harold Zinner 1978 Teacher, MEC Hasmig Azadian 1977 Teacher, Arm AS Hasmig Varjabedian 1956 Teacher, Arm AS Hayat Bejjani 1967 Teacher, MASS Heba Malaka 1997 Cashier, BASS Henry Erzberger 1915 Director, SM Henry Jeha 1956 Teacher, MEC, Principal, AAS Henry Melki 1957 Teacher, MEC, Publishing Director, EMU Herbert H. Faiman 1966 Teacher, Bakery Manager, MEC Hilal Doss 1952 Teacher, MEC Hosanna Ayoub 1963 Teacher, Arm AS, PC Worker Hovhanness Maksoudian 1963 Janitor, Arm AS, gateman, AMD Hovig Sarrafian 1979 Teacher, MEC Hugh Cowles 1973 Principal, MASS, ARM AAS, Teacher, MEC Husni Kolta 1971 Accountant, LS, Secretary-treasurer, EMF Robinson (Mrs.) 1961 Wife of H. E. Robinson

I. Paul 1978 Secretary to the President I. Touchard 1978 Dean of Women Ibrahim El-Khalil 1918 Pioneer Ordained minister Ibrahim Ghazal 1947 Executive Committee member, SM Ibrahim Hanna 1959 Teacher, MEC Ibrahim Kasem 1971 Janitor, MASS Ibrahim Maamary 1962 Credentialed Teacher, AAS, MASS, Arm AS, Teacher, gateman, MEC Ibrahim Swaidan 1952 Teacher, MEC Ibtisam Jbara 1991 Teacher, BASS Ida Arasola 1996 Teacher, Children's Sabbath School, CPC, Matron, MEC Ignatius Yacoub 1972 Executive Committee Member, Education Director, EMF, Academic Dean, MEC, Public Relations and Religious Liberty Director, AMD Iman Gergis 1977 Teacher, MASS Indra Ashod 1957 Teacher, MEC Ingeborn Bjerkan 1971 Teacher, MEC Issa H. Obeid 1969 Teacher, BASS. Public Relations Director, LS, Lebanon Legal Association Secretary, Principal, BASS Issa Jbara 1971 Janitor, BASS Issa Kharma 1957 Teacher, MASS, Education Director, EMF, Principal, Bish AS, BASS & MASS, Lebanon Legal Association Secretary, Public Relations & Religious Liberty Director, EMF Issa Sawma 1957 Janitor, MASS, Ash SAC, VOP 87

Jerald W. Whitehouse 1971 Pastor, Bikfaya Company J. H. Krum 1903 Literature evangelist, Preacher J. S. Russell 1947 Pastor, CPC, Dean of Men and Teacher, MEC Jabbour Semaan 1953 Associate Secretary of Medical Department, MED, Licensed minister, Lebanon, Editor, MEP Jack Barakat 1957 Teacher, MASS Jack Bohannon 1970 MEFTT member, Teacher, MEC Jack Mahon 1975 Health and Temperance Director, MEU, Communication and Temperance Director, AMD Jacob Havatian 1991 Supervisor, MASS Jad Katrib 1961 Principal, MASS, BASS, Education Director, LS, Teacher, MEC Jalal Doss 1974 Ministerial intern, Lebanon, Pastor, ASAC James Kilmer 1978 Teacher, MEC James Segar 1969 Teacher, MEC James Stephen 1967 Teacher, MEC Jamila Sarkis 1974 Superintendent, College Laundry Jamily Nicola 1991 Teacher, MASS Jean Atamian 1997 Teacher, MASS Jeanette Balta 1962 Teacher, MASS Jeanette Issa 1953 Credentialed teacher, MASS Jerry Lewis 1991 Global Mission, ADRA-Middle East Director, MEU Jimmy Choufani 1984 Teacher MASS, ADRA Director, Communication Director, Youth Director, EMF, MEU Jirair Kourouyan 1966 Teacher, MASS, Principal, Arm AS Joanne Elmadgian 1991 Administrative Secretary, MEU Johan B. Storfjell 1971 Teacher, MEC John Bedelian 1952 Licensed minister, Beirut Johnny Issa 1991 Principal Bish AS, Assistant Principal, BASS Johnny Manassian 1979 Teacher, Dean of Men, Academic Dean, MEC, CPC Pastor, Principal, MASS, Bish AS, Education Director, EMF, MEU Jon Green 1978 Chaplain, MEC Pastor, CPC Joseph Estephan 1974 President, Teacher, MEC, Lebanon Legal Association Committee Member, Education Director, AMD Joseph Khoury 1967 Education Director, LS, Head of Education Department MEC Joseph Mansour 1962 Credentialed teacher, MASS, Arm AS, Principal, AAS, Bish AS Josephine Abou-Haidar 1958 Teacher, BACS Josephine Khoury 1964 Credentialed teacher, AAS, BASS Juanito Villagomez 1993 President, MEC, Executive Committee member; EMF Judith Storfjell 1979 Teacher, MEC 88 Juliette Saliba 1963 Teacher, MASS June Soper 1957 Music Teacher, MEC 1969 Teacher, MEC Justin Hamer J. W. Whitehouse (Mrs.) 1971 Wife of J. W. Whitehouse

Kai Arasola 1996 Elder, CPC, Academic Dean, MEC Kameel Haddad 1996 EMF Committee Member, Pastor Amman SDA Church Kamel Adeeb 1978 Licensed Literature Evangelist, Lebanon Kamly Meguerditchian 1964 Office Secretary, LS, MED Karen Blinci 1973 Teacher, MEC Karen Staples 1976 Teacher, Beirut Overseas School Kenneth L. Vine 1955 President, Teacher, MEC, CPC Pastor Kenneth L. Vine (Mrs.) 1955 Wife of Kenneth L. Vine, teacher, MEC Kenneth Oster 1961 Pastor, CPC, MEFTT Member Khachatourian (Mrs.) 1915 Credentialed Missionary, SM Khalil Yared 1945 Treasurer, SM Khatoum D. Wehbe 1983 Teacher, MASS Knarig Maksoudian 1958 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS Kozet Meguerditchian 1976 Teacher, Arm AS

L. C. Miller 1968 Ministerial Radio - TV and Sabbath School Secretary, MED L. Krug 1913 SM Secretary L. R. Conradi 1901 President, ESAM L. S. Tabingo 1983 Secretary to Registrar, Cashier, MEC Laila Aboujawda 1969 Teacher, MASS Laila Tabanji 1966 Credentialed teacher, MASS, AAS Larry Siemens 1978 Teacher, MEC Laura Abdel-Karim 1977 Teacher, BASS, MASS Laurence Sidawi 1976 Credentialed teacher, MASS, BACS Laurice Abboud 1955 Teacher, MASS Laurice Bishai 1964 Teacher, Bish AS, MASS Laurice H. Bishara 1974 Director of Food Services, MEC Laurice Yacoub 1953 Principal, AAS, Teacher, MASS Lawrence E. Hanson 1974 Teacher, MEC Leif Jensen 1961 PC Director Leon D. Thomassian 1970 Accountant, Secretary-treasurer, LS Leslie Norris 1946 Licensed minister, Beirut Levon Maksoudian 1982 Pastor, Arm SAC, Health and Temperance Director, Lebanon Legal Association Committee member, EMF secretary Leif Jensen (Mrs.) 1967 Teacher, MEC, PC Worker Lloyd Nolin 1966 Maintenance Director, Teacher, MEC 89

Londa Schmidt 1972 Teacher, MEC Luisa Taer 1996 Teacher, MEC Lyda England 1979 Teacher, MEC Lydia Lombart 1996 Wife of Claude Lombart

M. E. Adams 1958 Teacher, MEC M. E. Lind 1970 President, AMD M. E. Lind (Mrs.) 1970 Wife of M. E. Lind M. T. Battle 1977 AMD Secretary, GC Associate Secretary Malak Rai 1990 Teacher, MASS Manoug H. Nazirian 1952 Pastor, Arm SAC, Youth Director, LS Lebanon Legal Association President, President, EMF, MEU, MEC Manoushag Anserlian 1968 Teacher, Arm AS Manuk Benzatyan 1972 Executive Committee member, EMF, MEFTT member Marie Chan 1973 Teacher, MEC Mark Kharma 1997 Supervisor, MASS Marlene Gilleroth 1966 Music Teacher, MEC Maroun Khoury 1968 Bible Worker, Lebanon Martha Manassian 1995 Teacher, MASS Mary Azadian 1963 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS Mary Bitar 1948 Credentialed teacher, Principal, Arm AS Mary David 1991 Teacher, MEC, CPC pianist Mary Farah 1997 Teacher, MEC Mary Ghazal 1960 Office Sedcretary, LSM Mary Haddad 1957 Teacher, Registrar MEC Mary Halabi 1965 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS, BASS Mary Havatian 1955 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS, MASS Mary Mansour 1963 Teacher, AAS, MASS Mary Nashed 1961 Teacher, MEC Mary Segar 1969 Teacher, MEC Mary Wehbe 1964 VOP Worker, Credentialed Teacher, Bish AS Maurice C. Grin 1952 Pastor, Arm SAC, MEP Treasurer Maurice Katrib 1953 Evangelist, Pastor, MSAC, Ash SAC, Publishing Director, MED, Editor, MEP President, AMD Michael Ghafary 1910 Pioneer Literature Evangelist Michael Katrib 1959 VOP Worker, VOP Director, Bible Worker Michael Kebbas 1949 Licensed minister, North Lebanon Michael Nabti 1957 Teacher, Dean of Men, MEC Michael Obeid 1961 Farm Supervisor, MEC Michael Oweijan 1953 Teacher, AAS Michael Sidawi 1991 Teacher, MASS, BASS Milad Abdel-Karim 1965 Publishing Director, EMF Milad Modad 1974 Pastor, Bish SAC Mildred Olson (Mrs.) 1947 Wife of Wayne Olson 90

Minas Megerditchian 1957 Teacher, Arm AS, Accountant, LS LS Sabbath School Director, LS Secretary- treasurer, Arm AS Principal, Lebanon Legal Association Committee member Minerva Mousa 1971 Office Secretary, LSS Minerva Nassif 1969 Teacher, MASS Minerva Nowfel 1945 Credentialed teacher, MASS Mirna Karam 1991 Teacher, BASS Mona Kerbage 1983 Teacher, BASS Mona Najjar 1975 Credentialed teacher, Bish AS Mona Nowfel 1973 Teacher, MASS Mona Nowfel Melki 1956 VOP Worker, Credentialed teacher, BASS Moses Elmadjian 1972 Executive Committee member, EMF, Manager, MEP Mousa Azar 1961 Executive Committee member, EMF Mousa Ghazal 1949 Licensed minister, El-Koura„ Marjouyoun Mousa Kerkenny 1949 Teacher and Principal, AAS Munir Deeb 1959 VOP Worker

N. Hargreaves 1941 Licensed minister, Lebanon Nabil Mansour 1997 Visiting ordained minister, MEP Translator, Editor Nabil Razzouk 1972 Teacher, MEC Naheel Kerkanny 1958 Teacher, AAS Naila Touma 1986 Teacher, BACS Naim Awais 1948 Credentialed Teacher, MASS, Editor, MEP Naim Jabriel 1945 Licensed minister, Lebanon Naim Mashni 1963 Licensed minister, Lebanon principal, Bish AS Najah Muallim 1969 Credentialed teacher, MASS Najeeb Azar 1947 Licensed minister, Lebanon Najeeb Ghazal 1944 Executive Committee member, SM Najib W. Nakhle 1974 Teacher, MEC Najla Aboujawda 1959 Teacher, Dean of Women, MEC Najm Khoury 1965 Teacher, AAS, Colporteur, Lebanon, Press Worker Najwa Nabti 1957 Teacher, MEC Najwa Obeid 1981 Credentialed Teacher, BASS Nakhle Jammal 1985 Teacher, MASS Narguis Watson 1949 Director of Cafeteria, MEC Nassim Khoury 1967 Teacher, MASS, Arm AS Nassima Berbawy 1968 Teacher, AAS, Arm AS, MASS Nathan Dawoud 1969 Licensed minister, Zahle company Nathan Hanna 1973 Licensed minister, Lebanon Nathan Malaka 1992 Pastor (ordained), BSAC Nathan Ratib 1973 Credentialed Literature Evangelist, Lebanon Nawal Akar 1955 Teacher, AAS, Bish AS, MASS Nawal Ashkar 1968 Bible Worker, Lebanon 91

Nawal Estephan 1969 Teacher, MASS Nazely Yacoubian 1971 Teacher, Arm AS Nellie Nehme 1953 Teacher, MASS Nelson Tabingo 1983 Teacher, MEC, Secretary-treasurer, MEU Neshan Hovhannessian 1938 Licensed minister, Arm SAC Nicola Esber 1958 Teacher, AAS Nils Zerne 1923 Director, SM Nisreen Shahine 1969 Credentialed teacher, MASS Nona Obeid 1973 Teacher, Arm AS, Accountant and Cashier, EMF, Cashier, BASS Norma Laflouf 1992 Teacher, MEC, Sabbath School Department Director, EMF Noura Abdel-Karim 1976 Teacher, AAS Nourhan Ouzounian 1952 Teacher, commissary, MEC, Principal, Arm AS Nuha Abdel-Karim 1976 Teacher, AAS

Odette Johnson 1958 Teacher, MASS, AAS Oweda Wehbe 1993 Pastor(licensed), Bish SAC Ole C. Bjerkan 1971 President, MEC Ole C. Bjerkan (Mrs.) 1971 Wife of Ole C. Bjerkan

Pamela Manassian 1993 Teacher, MEC Patricia Beaman 1972 Teacher, MEC Paul Huston 1971 Teacher, MEC Pauline Koorenny 1974 Teacher, MEC Per Naesheim 1978 Teacher, MEC Percy Paul 1978 Teacher, MEC Philip Srour 1963 VOP Director, EMU, Lebanon Legal Association Committee member, MEU cashier

R. A. Wilcox 1959 President, MED R. A. Wilcox (Mrs.) 1959 Wife of R. A. Wilcox R. C. Darnell 1970 President, MEU, Interim President, MEC R. C. Darnell (Mrs.) 1970 Wife of R. C. Darnell R. C. Mills 1967 Treasurer, MED R. C. Thomas 1975 Publishing Department Director, AMD R. D. Pifer 1971 President, EMF R. D. Pifer (Mrs.) 1971 Wife of R. D. Pifer R. Fenn 1966 Teacher, MEC, Evangelist (ordained), Associate Pastor, CPC R. H. Hartwell 1952 President, LSS & EMU R. H. Hartwell (Mrs.) 1952 Music Teacher, MEC R. H. Henning 1970 Publishing Department Director, AMD 92

R. K. Hasso 1952 Teacher, MEC R. K. Hasso (Mrs.) 1952 Teacher, MEC R. L. Jacobs 1967 Secretary, MED, AMD R. L. Jacobs (Mrs.) 1967 Wife of R. L. Jacobs, office secretary, MED, AMD R. L. Mole 1948 Pastor (ordained), Arm SAC, Treasurer, MEC R. 0. Osborn 1958 Secretary Treasurer, MED R. S. Greaves 1933 Minister, SM R. Thomson 1991 Acting President, EMF R. W. Coon 1967 Education Ministerial and Radio TV Secretary, MED R. W. Taylor 1970 Ministerial Secretary, AMD R. W. Willmot 1962 Assistant Accountant, Cashier, MED R. W. Willmot (Mrs) 1962 Office Secretary, MED Raafat Kolta 1994 Accountant, MASS Raffic Keshihzadeh 1994 Pastor (licensed), Arm SAC Raffy Manassain 1987 Teacher, BASS, Principal, BACS, Communication, Pathfinder, ADRA Lebanon Director, EMF Raimund Muller 1996 Head Deacon, CPC, Carpenter, MEC Raja Farah 1983 Principal, BACS, Pastor (ordained), BSAC, & CPC, Lebanon Legal Association Committee member, Education Director, EMF, Head of Religion Department, MEC Ralph L. Koorenny 1974 President, MEC Randy Myklebust 1996 Head Deaconess, CPC, Librarian, MEC, Teacher, MEC Rania Tabanji 1995 Teacher, MASS Ray Doyle 1971 Teacher, MEC Ray Roth 1983 Pastor, CPC, Teacher, MEC Raymond Khatchatourian 1984 Pastor (licensed), Arm SAC Ragelio Taer 1996 Teacher, MEC Refaat Abdallah 1991 Elder, CPC, Teacher, Dean of Men, MEC Rein Muhlberg 1996 Ministerial Association, Sabbath School & Personal Ministry Director, MEU Rein Muhlberg (Mrs.) 1996 Wife of Rein Muhlberg Rene Katrib 1953 Teacher, MASS, BASS Reymond Constantine 1982 Teacher, MASS Reymond Jeha 1976 Teacher, Bish AS, Accountant, EMF Reymond Kiraz 1962 Press Worker, Lebanon Legal Association Committee member, EMF, Teacher, Treasurer, Business Manager, Public Relations Director, MEC Richard Muller 1995 Head of Religion Department, MEC Robert Blinci 1978 Teacher, MEC, Accountant, AMD Robert Conway 1973 Teacher, Cashier, MEC Robert Yousif 1971 Teacher, MASS Roland Fidelia 1993 EMF President, MEU Communication, Stewardship Director, Manager, MEP 93

Rose Katrib 1941 Credentialed Teacher, MASS Rose Kharma 1966 Credentialed Teacher, BASS Rose Moussally 1964 Teacher, Arm AS Ruby Williams 1950 Credentialed Bible Worker, Lebanon, Dean of Women, MEC Ruth Ingram 1974 Librarian, MEC

Saadiya Malaka 1992 Teacher, MASS, BACS, BASS, Deaconess, CPC Salam Aboujawda 1964 Pastor, ASAC, Bish SAC, MEU and EMF Youth Director Salim Farah 1985 Teacher, BACS, Cashier, EMF, Treasurer, CPC Salim Japas 1970 Pastor (ordained), BSAC, MEU Evangelist Salim Majeed 1970 MEFTT member Salim Noujaim 1947 President, LS, VOP Director, Principal BASS Salim T. Hasbani 1959 Treasurer, LS Salwa Abdel-Karim 1976 Principal, AAS, Teacher, Bish AS, MASS, Arm AS Salwa Jbara 1981 Teacher, MASS Salwa Saad 1984 Credentialed Teacher, BACS Sami Bishai 1971 Evangelist, Bikfaya, Teacher, MASS Samir Berbawi 1979 Teacher, MEC Samir Shahine 1961 President, EMF, Lebanon Legal Association President, Teacher, MEC, Principal, MASS, Education Director, MEU Samira Shahine 1957 Credentialed teacher, AAS, MASS, BACS, VOP Worker Samaan Ghali 1979 Treasurer, MEC, EMF, Church Elder, CPC Samuel C. Jackson 1978 Music Teacher, MEC Samuel Shehata 1996 Teacher, MASS Sam Issa 1968 Teacher, BASS, Teacher, Registrar MEC Sara Ghazal Srour 1947 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS, BASS, VOP Worker Sara Zamer 1969 Teacher, Bish AS Sarkis Zurigian 1979 Pastor (licensed), Arm SAC Seigfried Schwantes 1966 Teacher, MEC Sella Nazirian 1942 Teacher, Principal, Arm AS Serjie Ferrer 1991 Secretary-treasurer, MEU Serpouhy Maksoudian 1964 PC Worker Shahin Ouzounian 1947 Teacher Evangelist, Beirut, Registrar, MEC Shamma Youssif 1975 Stenographer, EMF Shehada Halabi 1960 Pastor (licensed), Bish SAC & BSAC, Temperance Department Director, LS, Principal, Bish AS Shukry Nowfel 1913 Committee Member, SM, Pioneer pastor (ordained), MSAC S. W. Johnson 1948 Vocational - Industrial Director, MEC 94

Sirvart Murdesemjian 1963 Teacher, Arm AS Solomon Wolde-Endreas 1976 Sabbath School Secretary, AMD Sonia Sidawi 1994 Teacher, MASS Sossi Adjemian 1971 Teacher, Arm As Souha Amin Khoury 1962 Office secretary, LS Stanley Bull 1928 Committee Member, SM, Teacher, MEC Steve Manougian 1997 Licensed minister, CPC Suad Koko 1972 Credentialed teacher, Arm AS, BASS Suhad Kharma 1996 Sabbath School Superintendent and Pianist, BSAC, Cashier, MEC Sossi Nazirian Kevorkian 1985 Secretary to President, MEC Svein B. Johansen 1988 President, MEU Svein B. Johansen (Mrs.) 1988 Wife of Svein B. Johansen Svein Myklebust 1997 President, MEC, Executive Committee member, EMF Sven Jensen 1995 President, MEU Sven Jensen (Mrs.) 1995 Wife of Sven Jensen Sylvia Kiraz 1997 Credentialed Teacher, Arm AS, Teacher & Secretary, MEC, BACS

Towfic Issa (Mrs.) 1962 Wife of Towfic Issa T. Zachary 1910 Pioneer colporteur, Lebanon Taghrid T. Shartouni 1983 Secretary to the President, MEC Tanios Issa 1973 Farmer, Gardener, BASS Thomas S. Geraty 1951 President, MEC Thomas S. Geraty (Mrs.) 1951 Wife of Thomas S. Geraty Thomas Staples 1976 Secretary-Treasurer, MEU Towfic Issa 1962 Pastor (ordained), Bish SAC Towfic Madanat 1996 Sabbath School Department Director, EMF, Principal, Amman School Towfic Sayegh 1969 Teacher, BASS, MASS

Vartouhi Terzibashian 1973 Teacher, MEC Violet Wentland 1958 Teacher, MEC Verta Johnson 1969 Teacher, MEC V. A. Fenn 1961 Treasurer, MED Virginia Siemens 1978 Teacher, MEC, Secretary to the President, MEC Valerie Fidelia 1996 Health & Temperance & Women's Ministries Director, MEU Venice Khoury 1956 VOP Worker, Credentialed teacher, MASS, Bible Worker, Women's Ministries and Children's Ministry Director, EMF Veronica Muller 1995 Teacher, BASS, Pianist, CPC 95

W. A. Potter 1968 Pastor (ordained), MSAC W. A. Potter (Mrs.) 1968 Wife of W. A. Potter W. H. Wakeham 1905 President, Egyptian Mission W. Khoury 1976 Accountant, MEC W. R. Lesher 1963 Secretary, Educational Secretary, MED W. Steffen 1926 SM, Missionary Licentiate Wadad Ayoub 1973 Credentialed Literature Evangelist, Lebanon Wadad Issa 1954 Bible Worker, North Lebanon Wadad Karam 1969 Credentialed teacher, MASS, BASS, Principal, BACS Wadie Farag 1949 Teacher, MEC, Radio Dept. Secretary, MED Wafa G. Raffoul 1983 Secretary to the Academic Dean, MEC Walter K. Ising 1908 First Director, SM Warde Kharma 1966 Credentialed teacher, Bish AS, BASS W. S. Edsell 1976 Youth and Temperance Director, AMD Wayne Olson 1947 Pastor (ordained), Bish SAC, Acting President, LS, Pastor, CPC Widad Faimann 1967 Teacher, MEC Wilhelm Lesovski 1929 Missionary to Lebanon and Syria Wilhelmine Muller 1908 Missionary Licentiate, SM William Olson 1997 Secretary- Treasurer, MEU William Olson (Mrs.) 1997 Wife of William Olson William Wagner 1954 Medical Secretary, MED Wilma Hepker 1966 Teacher, MEC Wolfhard Touchard 1978 Teacher, Librarian, MEC

Yacoub Greige 1958 Credentialed Teacher, MASS, BASS, AAS Yacoub Nashed 1961 Teacher, MEC Yepraxy Gomig 1938 Principal, Arm AS Yohan Lusingu 1973 Stewardship and Development Secretary, AMD Yolla Abdelkarim 1976 Teacher, AAS, BASS Youssif Farag 1975 Publishing Director, EMF, MEU Publishing Director Yung Sikkim 1997 Student Missionary, CPC

Zaky Narouz 1961 Teacher, MEC Zaher Berbawy 1973 Licensed Minister, Bikfaya, Bible Teacher, Aramoun, MASS Zakariah Youssif 1965 Teacher MASS, VOP worker Zeina Heleu 1984 Teacher, Bish AS Zevart Yerganian 1968 Teacher, Arm AS 96 REFERENCES

1 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, 1996 edition, p. 914. 2 Ibid., p. 614. 3 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer, The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939, (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main. Bern, 1981), p. 65. 4 Mildred Olson, Middle East Program, April 4-6, 1997, U. S. A., p. 9. 5 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer, The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939, (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main. Bern, 1981), pp. 67, 70. 6 Ibid., p. 70 7 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, 1996 edition, p. 915. 8 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer, The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939, (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main. Bern, 1981), p. 68. 9 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, ? edition, p. 695. 10 Mildred Olson, Middle East Program, April 4-6, 1997, U. S. A., p. 9. 11 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer, The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939, (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main. Bern, 1981), pp. 68, 69. 12 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, 1996 edition, p. 915. 13 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer, The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939, (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main. Bern, 1981), p. 70. 14 Ibid., p. 71. 15 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, 1996 edition, p. 915. 16 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer, The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939, (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main. Bern, 1981), p. 72. 17 Ibid., p. 76. 18 Ibid., p. 79 19 Ibid., p. 79 20 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, 1996 edition, p. 915. 21 Ibid., p. 695. 22 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer's, letter, May 13, 1198. 23 Baldur Ed. Pfeiffer, The European Seventh-day Adventist Mission in the Middle East 1879-1939 (Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main, Bazn, 1981). p. 11. 24 Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook - 1939 25 Impact (official organ of the Afro-MidEast Division), Vol. VI, November - December 1945, p. 30. 26 The Middle East Messenger (official organ of the Middle East Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists), Vol. I, No 5, December 1945, p. 7. 27 Mildred Olson, Middle East Program, April 4-6, 1997, U. S. A, p. 6. 28 Daniel Obeid, Hamad Elias Obeid's Biography, 1998. 29 Seventh-day Adventist Yearbooks, 1909-1971. 30 Middle East College Pine Echoes, 1964. 31 The Middle East Messenger (official organ of the Middle East Division), January, February 1970, P. 3. 32 Seventh-day Adventist Yearbooks, 1909-1997.