7. THE UNMISTAKEABLE THEOLOGY of radiant beauty
This reflection marks Part 7 of a seven‑part series drawn from our visit to Lebanon and Syria. Please visit the home-page to view the others. 1Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your…
6. THE UNMISTAKEABLE THEOLOGY of intentional resilience
Resilience is not an accident of personality; it is a choice that becomes a discipline. And nowhere is this discipline more visible, and more embodied, than in the church of Lebanon and Syria.
2. THE UNMISTAKABLE THEOLOGY – of drawing near
At the heart of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we find a central theme: a God who keeps moving towards His people and a God who invites His people to draw near to Him. Creation begins with God walking with humanity in the cool of the day. Redemption begins with God stepping into our dust as Emmanuel—God with us. Pentecost continues the same movement: God not only with us, but within us. The whole story of God is a story of nearness.
1. THE UNMISTAKEABLE THEOLOGY – of showing up
In places where bombs fall and hope thins, the simple act of arriving—of standing beside someone in their darkest hour—speaks louder than any sermon. There is a principle in the New Testament that is often overlooked. Most theological reflections on the life of Christ tend to focus on His public mission, which commenced shortly after His baptism by John the Baptist, when He was about thirty years old. But God’s first mission on earth was not a sermon but an arrival. He showed up!
A PERSONAL EYEWITNESS: where bombs expose what faith assumes
This past week I met with believers in the war-torn countries of Lebanon and Syria. What follows over the next few days are the theologies that rose from the rubble—truths tasted, touched, and seen. Truths that call us to show up, draw near, delight deeply, shepherd faithfully, and recognise beauty even in brokenness. These are the unmistakable theologies of a church that refuses to die. So, for the next 7 days we will explore a theology that was placed under the spotlight as we fellowshipped with the remanent in Lebanon and Syria. Here is the introduction
8 LESSONS: celebrating Pentecost in the context of war
In just two weeks we will again have the glorious privilege of visiting the church in Lebanon and Syria. We do not take these visits lightly. For us, they are sacred opportunities to learn, to encourage, and to witness the beautiful harmony of the body of Christ across borders and circumstances. It was exactly a year ago that we returned from a similar journey, and the lessons remain vivid in our hearts and minds. As we prepare to travel once more, we pause to recall eight lessons that shaped us then and continue to shape us now. We offer them again in the hope that they will echo the message of Pentecost.
THE SUFFERING CHURCH: and the sin of selective sympathy
A Christian village in Lebanon was recently completely destroyed by Israel. And the Church in the west was silent. It exposed an inconvenient truth that selective sympathy is the moment when loyalty for the perpetrator speaks louder than concern for the victim. For fifty years I have served the persecuted Church across the globe. And one of the most painful truths I have encountered is this: the compassion of the Church in freedom is not always consistent. We raise our voices boldly when persecuted Christians suffer at the hands of those we already view as enemies, but we grow noticeably quiet when persecuted Christians suffer at the hands of those we consider friends. This is the sin of selective sympathy
JESUS THE CONSTRUCTION WORKER: building hope in the Middle East
Jesus, the Son of God, construction worker while dwelling on earth as Emanuel – God with us – now overseeing a construction site in Lebanon that rises amongst the ashes. A construction that symbolises the One who came to establish peace amongst men, and peace with God
LEBANON: voices from the rubble
This is a field report from Lebanon with an update on the current situation and a reminder that when we have the ability to help someone in need, we should not remain passive.
WHERE HEAVEN TOUCHES EARTH: a reflection on our visit to Lebanon and Syria.
We’ve just returned from Lebanon and Syria, our hearts deeply stirred by the people of this region—their resilience, their boundless love, and their generous hospitality. In the midst of hardship, we encountered sacred moments where heaven touched earth. These encounters were not rare—they were radiant, rooted in faith and community. We carry their stories with us, and we invite you to share in the joy, the beauty, and the hope we witnessed.