“Lebanon may be one of the most strife-torn countries in the world and its capital Beirut one of the most dangerous cities but God is still doing amazing things there through His church”, the Revd. Dr Arthur Brown, BMS World Mission director for mission, told the Gwent Baptist Association’s autumn council meeting held on 8^th October.

In an informal interview with newly-inducted Association president Pastor Tim Moody, Arthur said Lebanon was on its knees and its people exhausted but yet the local church was growing amidst all the trouble and turmoil. Having been based in Lebanon working for BMS World Mission for a period, Arthur continued: “It is amazing to see once-sworn enemies, Syrian Muslims and Lebanese Christians, now helping each other and many are becoming brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Arthur said there was a great need for prayer for Lebanon because of the continuing violence, political, economic and social problems but we needed to thank God because he was bringing people to faith. He also referred to the outstanding medical work being undertaken at the Guinebor 11 hospital in one of the poorest African countries, Chad. He thanked the Association and churches in Gwent for their prayerful and practical support of these and similar BMS World Mission initiatives.

The Revd. D. Marc Owen (Moriah Baptist Church, Risca), who chaired the meeting, extended his grateful thanks to Arthur for his own personal contribution to the important ongoing work of BMS World Mission and for the organisation’s massive commitment to helping some of the poorest and most needy people despite all the obstacles they had to face.

Others who took part in the meeting were retiring president the Revd. Dr Suzanne Roberts, who led the opening devotions, and superintendent the Revd. Mark Thomas (Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Blackwood), who said how encouraging it was that local churches had continued or embarked upon effective “online” ministry during the Covid-19 crisis.

About 50 people representing 15 churches were present at the virtual meeting which also incorporated elements of an annual general meeting.

A special appeal was made in aid of BMS World Mission. More information can be found at bmsworldmission.org/give/