Final Communiqué

Under the theme “…and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence, and pride the belongs to hope”, the 6th General Assembly of the Fellowship of the Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC), consisting of Anglican, Lutheran and Reformed Churches, met at the conference center in Bethanya, Harissa – Lebanon, January 11-13, 2003.

Leaders and representatives of the Evangelical Churches (Anglican-Lutheran-Reformed) from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine (and the Holy Land), Egypt, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait, and the President of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Churches in Syria and Lebanon attended the meeting, as well as representatives of partner churches and church related organizations from the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Following the opening daily devotions the Assembly listened to a theme centered Bible Study, presented by Rev. Dr. Makram Najeeb (Synod of the Nile) and Rev. Dr. Janet Wooton (Evangelical Church – UK).

In his opening word to the Assembly, Bishop Munib Younan (Head of the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Jordan and the Holy Land), referred to the painful events the Evangelical churches in the area are facing; at which all the attendees expressed their solidarity with the Christians in the Middle East, especially in Palestine, Iraq, Iran, and the Sudan. They expressed their sorrow for what happened lately in Naja’ Hamaadi, in Egypt, and spent a moment of silence honoring the victims thereof, praing for their families and the sister Church in Egypt, and sent to H. H. Shnouda III a message expressing their condolences and solidarity.

The General Secretary, Mrs. Rosangela Jarjour, presented her report, covering all aspects of FMEEC’s activities for the last five years, touching on many other very important issues, on top of which was the effective Christian and Evangelical Presence in the M. E., and the challenges hereto, now and in the future. The Assembly also listened to live testimonies from its Churches in the region, especially so from the Churches of the Sudan, Iran, and Iraq.

The Assembly also listened to, and reviewed the reports of the various Programs, such Christian Education Program, Women’s Program, programs serving Iran and Iraq, FMEEC’s church - related schools Program, and Theology Program. The prominent issue was Ordination of Women in FMEEC Churches; and the Assembly, after elaborate and in-depth deliberations, approved the historical recommendation of supporting women ordination to Ministry in FMEEC’s Churches, and called upon its member Churches to carry out this decision for the advancement of the Oriental Evangelical Christian testimony, and to ascertain the full role of women in the Ministry in Church and Society. The Assembly also voted to welcome the Presbyterian Synod of Iraq a new member in FMEEC. Other actions included amendments to the Constitution.

In accordance with the Constitution the Assembly elected for the new Term Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki (Synod of the Nile) as President, Rev. Dr. Habeeb Badr (Lebanese National Evangelical Union) as Vice-President, and renewed for Mrs. Rosangela Jarjour as General Secretary. A new Executive Committee was elected, consisting of: Bishop Muneeb Younan (Palestine), Rev. Fadi Dagher and Rev. Megrdich Karagoezian (Lebanon), Rev. Hilmi Qaades (Egypt), and Arch-Deacon Lou’ay Haddad (Jordan).

As a concluding expression of Oneness, all the participants joined in a celebrative worship service in the Presbyterian Church in Rabieh, during which a concelebration of the Eucharist was administered by leading clergy of the Lutheran and Reformed Member Churches, ascertaining the historical agreement these Churches achieved in 2006, known as the Amman Declaration. This Declaration, which was co-signed by seven Churches, states a mutual recognition between them, in regard to Eucharist, Baptism, and Church Ministries.

After concluding all actions of the Assembly, a delegation from member Churches, led by Rev Dr Salim Sahiouny (President of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Churches in Syria and Lebanon), paid a visit to H. E. Michael Suleiman, President of the Republic, conveying the regards of their Churches, and wishing him the success and Lebanon Peace and Prosperity.

Rosangela Jarjour
General Secretary
F.M.E.E.C

18.01.2010 FMEEC/Rosangela Jarjour