Church of the Reformation--Beit Jala

Church of the Reformation-Beit Jala

One of the oldest congregations of the ELCJHL, the Lutheran Church of the Reformation houses a vibrant and dedicated congregation, the majority of whom claim roots in Beit Jala dating back centuries or more.

The church compound of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation is located on a main street in Beit Jala, which winds up a steep hill. The church steeple can be seen from the street, but many surprises await the first-time visitor upon entering the main gate. A central courtyard on two levels with a raised garden in the middle is very welcoming, and a bronze sculpture in the garden quickly catches the eye. Created by the well-known Palestinian artist Suleiman Mansour, the modernistic sculpture of a family of four standing together in a row with arms outstretched gives the impression of family members loving each other and facing the world together, ready to reach out and embrace that world.

The Diaconal Ministry of the ELCJHL is also housed in this compound, as well as “Beit Ibrahim”, the ELCJHL’s guest house welcome to all visitors throughout the year, and the compound's newest program, “Abraham’s Tent”, an after-school program which provides tutoring and childcare for students throughout the week thanks to local teachers and volunteers.

Congregational Life

The congregation of the Church of the Reformation worship spills into the week and into everything they do. They hold two or three weekly Bible studies throughout the year, and during special seasons of the church year host additional prayer meetings, such as "Ora Et Labora" (pray, then work), during Lent.

Youth are cherished at the Church of the Reformation, and there are two youth groups; one for children and one for young adults. Confirmation class is also available as well as a Family Bible Study where parents and their children can join together and dive into the scripture as a family and a faith community. We have also created a Newly Married Couples Meeting to provide marriage counseling and guidance to those who are just entering into family life.

Our Women’s Ministry is also vital to the life of our church, including a bible study and many other activities to grow in faith together and support the life of the church. Once a month, the pastor will also give Holy Communion and prayers with the elderly and homebound, as well as visiting local hospitals. Rev. Ashraf Tannous serves as pastor to this congregation.

Pastor Ashraf Tannous

Reverend Ashraf Tannous was born and raised in Ramallah, and was schooled at our very own School of Hope K-12. He did his undergraduate studies at the Near Eastern School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon. Reverend Ashraf then went into seminary at the Bousse Seminary in Geneva, Switzerland. After seminary, Reverend Ashraf was an intern in Rietberg, Germany. He was ordained into the ELCJHL in 2012 and was first called as an associate pastor alongside Reverend (now Bishop) Ibrahim Azar in Jerusalem. Shortly after, he was called to serve at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beit Sahour. In 2019, the ELCJHL called Reverend Ashraf to serve the congregation of the Church of Reformation in Beit Jala, which he continues to minister to today. For eight years, Reverend Ashraf led the Youth Desk. In 2020 this ministry changed hands to Reverend Rodny Said. Reverend Ashraf now serves on our Ecclesiastic Court. 

Reverend Ashraf is married to Mrs. Wadia Boustany, and has three boys, Basil, Wissam, and Razan. Pastor Ashraf speaks German fluently, and is currently working toward a Doctorate of Ministry from the United Lutheran Seminary of Philadelphia, PA. Reverend Ashraf also serves as the Head of the ELCJHL’s Ecclesiastical Court.

History
The Lutheran church in Beit Jala has a long history, dating back to 1845. A missionary from southern Germany, Mr. Mueller, gathered local people together for Bible studies and devotions. This missionary effort was separate from the Anglican-Lutheran joint project that began in Palestine in the 1840s and 50s. When Missionary Mueller left, another German missionary, Mr. Schneller, succeeded him. Missionary Schneller was able to establish an actual Lutheran congregation in Beit Jala. Mr. Giries Abu Dayyeh, the head of a clan (mukhtar) in the town at that time, was the first to join this Lutheran congregation.

The congregational members, led by Mukhtar Abu Dayyeh, wanted to build a church sanctuary. Missionary Schneller and the congregation, with help from the Jerusalem Foundation in Berlin, Germany, built the church, which was dedicated in 1886. In 1887 Evangelist Bishara Can’an was appointed to serve the church on behalf of the Jerusalem Foundation.

In 1959 the Lutheran Church of the Reformation formally became a congregation of the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan, ELCJ (the West Bank and East Jerusalem being under Jordan’s administration at that time). From this long and rich history has emerged a congregation that is very cognizant of the needs of people in the surrounding community and finds many creative ways to address those needs.

Service Times
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

Contact Us
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation
P.O.Box 11
Beit Jala, PA (via Israel)
Phone/Fax: +972-(0)2-274-4250
Email: [email protected]