International Missions Partnerships

focus:refugees - Lebanon

Donate - Lebanon Baptist Refugee Ministry

Through MERATH, the LSESD helps over 3,000 Syrian families make it through the winter. Virginia Baptists want to assist with 1,000 of them. Including mattresses, blankets, and stove/fuel, MERATH needs $80/family. (Goal: $80,000)

Small Union, Big Impact

In Lebanon, a country where a third of its population are refugees, it seems impossible that a small family of Baptist churches could make an impact. But God likes to take small things and make immeasurably more than we can imagine.

The Lebanese Society for Educational & Social Development (LSESD) serves the Church in Lebanon and its region by equipping and resourcing leaders. They address the needs of vulnerable people in the community and the LSESD is at the forefront of responding to the plight of their refugee neighbors.

In Lebanon we can see how a family of churches with limited resources is holistically addressing the reality of its community. They are extremely active in their communities and taking bold actions for the Kingdom of God.

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Middle East Revive And Thrive MERATH

LSESD’s first emergency relief response was to show Christ’s love in action to those displaced by the 2006 war. Since 2011, most of the resources of LSESD’s community development and relief ministry, MERATH, have been focused on responding compassionately to thousands of refugees displaced by the horrific conflicts in Syria and Iraq who have been left poor and disadvantaged.

Relief support across Lebanon, Syria and Iraq include food aid, hygiene kits, milk and diapers, health care, trauma support and winterization items, all of which are distributed through local church partners and faith based organizations. Partners are given training so they can administer relief and assist as many as possible in a coordinated, accountable and helpful way.

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MERATH also supports education projects to give refugee children and families a more hopeful future. Once the war is over, there are plans to implement more long-term development assistance as people return to rebuild their lives and countries.

Pray

  • for the Child Friendly Space in the Beqaa Valley, which provides training and support for children and families in the informal tented settlements.
  • for the Women’s Hairdressing Training center that is teaching marketable skills!
  • for the dialogue between the partners working in the war-torn areas, as well as for their safety

Give

  • to provide mattresses, blankets, and warm clothing for distribution to those in need this winter.
  • to provide crucial food security. MERATH distributes over 4,000 food parcels each month to hungry families.
  • to provide medical attention and hygiene kits.

Go

  • co-lead a Vulnerable Children’s Camp with the Baptist Youth and Children Ministry.