Eilaboun- Linga

The Association of Baptist Churches in Israel (ABC) held its annual business meeting on Saturday, June 26 in Eilaboun. Representatives of all Baptist churches in Israel gathered at the Baptist Church in Eilaboun to discuss important changes, including a change of constitution.

The meeting was opened by Hanna Eid, an elder of Eilaboun Baptist, and was followed by worship music led by Zeina Naoum. Rev. Khaled Dalle, pastor of Eilaboun Baptist, shared a brief devotion on the theme of fellowship and its importance for the success of relationships between churches. He stressed the point that the ABC is an institution to provide spiritual support to those in ministry before it is an executive administrative council.

Pastor Richard Jones, of the Association of American Baptist Churches, offered his greetings. The Chairman of the ABC, Munther Naoum, presented a report on the efforts of the council over the last year which included: the proposed changes to the ABC constitution, the preparation for the upcoming celebration marking 100 years of Baptists in Israel (May, 2011), challenges to local churches and ministers, the Baptist House in Nazareth and its uses, the faculty of Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS), development of twinning relationships with churches in England, financial reports, the cemetery in Nazareth, relationship with Baptist Mission and other international associations. Naoum said that next year will focus on the centennial Baptist celebration and further goals.

Following a brief break, the council heard reports from the coordinators of various departments – Sunday School, Youth and Women, and Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary (which is a subsidiary of the ABC). Rose Obeid, Women’s Ministry Coordinator, announced her resignation from the post after six years of service. She thanked the Association for its support. She will continue serving among women with the Light for All Nations ministry. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a gift.

The council approved the 2009 budget and agreed to the proposed budget for 2010 as well. In an historic vote, a new constitution for the ABC was voted in by an overwhelming majority. The old constitution was originally published in 1965 and has remained unchanged until the present. The new constitution takes steps to address more modern concerns and challenges faced by churches in the twenty-first century.

The council also voted and approved the acceptance of the Mount Caramel Baptist Church of Haifa as a permanent member of the ABC.
The council voted on vacant positions within the Association and the results are as follows:

Rev. Khaled Dalle, pastor of the Baptist Church in Kfar Yassif and also in Eilaboun, was elected to the post of Vice President of the Association.
Eman Hanna was elected as Sunday School Coordinator.
Daad Odeh was elected as Women’s Ministry Coordinator.
Brother Bader Mansour was elected as Public Relations Coordinator