Hosted by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
Tearfund Holds Coordination Meeting with MECC and Partners in Syria
MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs from Balamand:
Let us work to strengthen cooperation to ensure a better future for all people of the region
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
With the blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox family, the international organization “Tearfund” held a general meeting with its new leadership, represented by CEO Silas Balraj, International Director Claire Tiffen, Regional Director Safa Hijazeen, Country Director for Syria and Lebanon Jamie Abraham, and Regional Advisor for Church and Community transformation Rami Kaskas. The meeting took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in the conference hall of the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology in Balamand, Lebanon.
The Middle East Council of Churches participated in the meeting, represented by its Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, at the head of a delegation that included Ms. Nina Hallak, Director of the Lebanon’s Office of the Diakonia and Social Service Department, and Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations.
The meeting also brought together Leaders and representatives from the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Maronite Church, Syriac Orthodox Church, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and Evangelical Union Church. Attendees were also the Executive Directors of the Evangelical “Tahanan” Association, the Department of Ecumenical Relations, and the St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee.
During the meeting, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs delivered a speech addressing the Christian presence in the Middle East and the dangers it faces, as well as ways to preserve it and ensure a better future for all the people of the region. He also highlighted the situation of the Churches in the Middle East and the necessity of cooperating with them to meet urgent humanitarian needs, shedding light on the MECC response to the difficult social conditions, particularly amidst current challenges and youth emigration.
In her turn, Ms. Nina Hallak noted that the partnership between MECCs and Tearfund is characterized by trust, shared values, and a positive impact on people's lives. She recalled the launch of this partnership in 2020, during one of the most difficult periods Lebanon has faced, especially following the Beirut port Blast. She also highlighted the joint programs previously implemented to support the most vulnerable and affected people, expressing her hope for further cooperation on future projects.
Moreover, each participating party presented its program of activities and frameworks amidst the challenges facing the region. The participants also discussed shared concerns and future visions with the aim of developing a new strategy and strengthening work mechanisms to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable people in light of the changes and developments taking place in the region.
In this context, attendees emphasized the importance of the Church's role and the necessity of supporting and collaborating with it, exploring many humanitarian and social issues.
