Linga- Nazareth

The Association of Baptist Churches in Israel held its Annual General Meeting today, Saturday, 25.2.2012 in the presence of representatives and delegates from all the Baptist Churches in Israel, which consists of 16 Arabic churches and three foreign. The meeting was opened with prayer of blessing for the meeting and the breakfast by Pastor Suheil Saaed, and after a period of worship led by Pastor Khaled Dallah; brother Munther Naoum chairman of the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel welcomed all attendees and shared his expectation that this year will be the year of harvest, especially after years of preparation and service for the centenary celebrations of the Baptists. Then he welcomed brother Chad Knight, representative of The Baptist Convention in Israel.

After viewing the names of the churches delegates, brother Munther shared the agenda of this meeting where he began to talk about the election of secretary-general of the Association, according to the recommendation of the recommendation Committee by the Association, was the only candidate brother Bader Mansour to work for a year at part time job. After the discussion about naming the function, it was agreed to use the secretary general description. Before the vote, Bader took part for sharing about himself and his service, about the journey of his spiritual life and God's plan in his life; how The Lord opened the door for him to serve the Association as a treasurer for six years and then secretary of the Association for four .After the vote was the election of Brother Bader Mansour, secretary-general of the Association for a year and a half by job function to be set after the end of the year.

Rani Saba Association Treasurer presented the proposed budget for the year 2012 and shared several proposals including increasing the provision for the outreach ministries and it has been to approve the amendments so as to provide for a vote at the general meeting next June. Followed that the voting for the budget which was approved unanimously.

The reports of the ministries coordinators were presented, brother Majd Shoufani , Youth Coordinator of Association shared about the general plan for young people in the current year and the challenges faced in achieving them , stressed the importance of coordination with youth leaders and patrons of churches in the service.

Eman Hanna Sunday School coordinator of Association provided her report stressing that the main role of cooperation with the leaders of Sunday schools in churches and how their role will be to encourage them; train them for their development. And also spoke about future plans and training programs for teachers of Sunday Schools that will be held in the months of May and June.

Brother Munther Naoum presented the women's ministry report on behalf Daad Odeh the coordinator of women ministry who could not attend. Followed that he presented the outline of the work of the Association for the coming year in terms of documenting the internal and external relationships, develop the work of various ministries, support leaders of the churches and the ordination of new leaders for developing new ministries.

Brother Munther asked for representatives of the Association in the council of evangelical churches in Israel and about the need to provide three new candidates from the Association for the Council in the upcoming elections in April and the nominees were Salim Hanna and Azar Ajaj and Rajai Samawei and after the vote by secret ballot, they were elected by majority of Baptist Association as candidates for the election in the council of evangelical churches.

 At the end of the meeting brother Munther thanked all attendance of their presence and their support for the work of the Association and asked Mr. Nader Hayek to conclude the meeting in prayer.