Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah Installed as Pastor of the National Evangelical Church in Beirut
Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah Installed as Pastor of the National Evangelical Church in Beirut
And President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the Installation Service
Reverend Dr. Habib Badr: “After 41 years, I hand over the responsibility, marking the beginning of a new chapter of renewal and continuity”
The National Evangelical Church in Beirut held the Installation Service of Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah as its ordained Senior Pastor, consecrated for ministry under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The celebration was attended by the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and his wife Dr. Frida Haddad Abs; Reverend Wilbert Van Saane, Reverend Rima's husband, and their family; alongside many Pastors, including Reverend Dr. Uwe Gräbe, Head of the Middle East Unit of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), Ms. Kirsten Auken, Regional Director of Danmission in the Middle East, Directors of institutions affiliated with the National Evangelical Church, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC Lea Adel Maamary, Members of the Church Board of Elders, and believers.
The Installation Service was led by Reverend Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), accompanied by Dr. George Sabra, Secretary of the Church Board of Elders, with the participation of Reverend Samer Najm. All prayed that Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah would faithfully proclaim the true Word of God, teach the sound Evangelical faith, and administer the two Sacraments according to the Lord's institution.
The Installation follows years of pastoral and academic service by Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, who was ordained in 2018. Over the past years, she has served in pastoral and teaching ministries at the National Evangelical Church and as Academic Dean of the Near East School of Theology (NEST).
The Service included Prayers, hymns, and readings emphasizing the importance of the Evangelical mission of bearing witness to Christ, serving humanity, and fostering hope and love amidst the difficult circumstances that Lebanon and the region are facing. Prayers were also offered for the Church and its mission, as well as for peace and stability in the country.
Reverend Dr. Habib Badr delivered a Sermon, in which he said:
“I assumed the pastorate of the National Evangelical Church in Beirut on April 28, 1985, and today, on June 28, 2026, I hand it over to Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah, as together we mark a historic chapter over 41 years. Indeed, both Reverend Rima and I were baptized in the name of Christ, embraced a clear vision for our calling, and dedicated ourselves to ministry. Today, I stand before you with the same steadfastness as at the beginning. This is a day of harvest and reflection on a completed journey—and the beginning of a new one.”
He continued:
“After 41 years, I ask myself: Are we in the right place? Are these days a beginning or an ending? After all the crises and hardships we have endured and continue to face, the answer remains the same, a voice filled with hope that reaches deep within us and urges us to remain committed to our community. I am convinced that we are exactly where we are meant to be. We are here, a National Evangelical Church in Beirut, standing firm, with our faith built upon the rock.”
Addressing Reverend Dr. Rima, he said:
“You will face challenges and crises, but you are well prepared for this responsibility. With the members of the Church Board beside you, you will serve with hope and confidence, for the servant of the Lord is always equipped with the Word of God.”
The Service concluded with a Prayer and blessing offered by Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah to the congregation. She then addressed those present, saying:
“I am deeply grateful for my Installation, which is being conducted by two of the Middle East's leading Evangelical Theologians, Reverend Dr. Habib Badr and Dr. George Sabra, with the Members of the Church Board, whose love for the Church, dedication, and many hours of faithful service in making the best decisions for the good of the Church and its people I have witnessed firsthand.”
She added:
“The Members of the National Evangelical Church in Beirut are a blessed community, a steadfast and resilient Church, rich in gifts and talents. We pray that this new chapter in the life of our Church will combine continuity with renewal, and bear witness to the creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in this place, and among our members wherever they may be.”
Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah concluded by expressing heartfelt thanks to her husband, Reverend Wilbert Van Saane, who has embraced Beirut and its people and committed himself to serving God in this place. She also thanked her children, Christina and Peter, as well as all her family members in Lebanon and abroad, for their unwavering support and love.
Participants noted that the Installation of Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah as Pastor of the National Evangelical Church in Beirut marks an important milestone in the Church's journey and a continuation of its spiritual and national mission of serving society. They emphasized the Church's commitment to ongoing pastoral and educational ministry and to strengthening its openness and cooperation with other Churches and institutions.