Linga- Nazareth

The Evangelical Baptist Church in Nazareth was filled to capacity on Sunday with members and guests who came to church for the morning service on November 15, 2009. The church members united with members of Local Baptist Church (a neighboring church which meets in the Baptist school auditorium) as well as a group of fifty American guests from Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tennessee and a smaller group of believers from a Pentecostal Church in Sweden.

Brother Ibrahim Simaan and Pastor Phil Hill opened the meeting with a reading from Psalm 138 in Arabic and English. Pastor Fuad Sakhnini, leader of the Evangelical Baptist Church, followed with prayer and an additional Bible reading. He welcomed all the guests, in particular the pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Brother Danny Sinquefield, Brother Riad Saba (originally from Nazareth and a graduate of the Baptist School where he became a follower of Jesus) and also Mrs Joyce Rogers, the widow of the renowned and beloved pastor Dr Adrian Rogers, one of the most prominent Southern Baptist pastors in America and leader of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis. Bellevue retains more than thirty thousand members and continues to broadcast Dr Rogers’ sermons on satellite even after his death. Paster Sakhnini also welcomed the members of Local Baptist Church and the other visiting guests.

Praise and worship was led by a joint team under the direction of Brother Riad Haddad with praise team members representing both churches. Piano: Sister Rose Sakhnini with Brother Fadi Hanna and Rani Saba. Vocals: Brother Ibrahim Copty, Sister Remah Abdo, Sister Linda Matar, Sister Noha Abd al-Malik. Keyboard: Brother George Abdo, Shadia Copty On guitar and drums: Brother Bishara Deeb.

Brother Riad Saba shared a brief testimony about his life in Nazareth and how he came to know the Lord as his savior. He recalled the impact of two men on his life: the late George Laty and Pastor Fuad Sakhnini and thanked the Lord for their wonderful Christian influence.

Following this, Mrs Rogers took the stand and stated that today was the fourth anniversary of her husband’s departure to be with Lord and that there was no better place than the country of the Lord for her to be on this particular day. She then asked to share a song, written by her husband and composed by her oldest son Steve entitled, The Carpenter is Still Building Houses Today. Her beautiful voice touched many people as she sang the words about ensuring your house is built “by the nail scarred hands.”

The sermon was given by Brother Danny Sinquefield and was taken from Philippians 1:1-11 and entitled: “The power of partnership in the work of the Lord.” Brother Danny encouraged listeners to look for the “Macedonian man” like the one in Paul’s vision of Acts 16. Brother Botrus Mansour provided translation.

Amazing Grace was the final hymn, sung in both languages, followed by a prayer from Rev Dr Hanna Katanacho. Refreshments were served following the service in the church courtyard.