News | ELCJHL

Pastor Ashraf Tannous Installed in Beit Sahour, and Beit Sahour Confirmation

May 18, 2025

Today the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beit Sahour celebrated two milestones: six confirmands affirmed their faith during their Confirmation Service, and Rev. Ashraf Tannous was installed as Pastor of the congregation. Thanks be to God! We were also blessed to be joined by Dr. Simon Kuntze from Berlin Mission and several of our friends from the United Methodist Church....

Graduation at Talitha Kumi Lutheran School

May 17, 2025

Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and the entire ELCJHL offer sincere congratulations to the 2025 Graduating Class of Talitha Kumi Lutheran School! We offer up prayers for these graduates as they start this next chapter. They are on their way to do amazing things. ...

Graduation at Dar al Kalima Lutheran School

May 15, 2025

Alf mabrouk, a thousand congratulations to the 2025 Graduating Class of Dar Al-Kalima Lutheran School! On behalf of Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and the whole ELCJHL, we are so proud of all you have accomplished. As one graduate said tonight during his speech, this class is a powerhouse of innovation and creativity. We know you are future leaders and peacemakers who will bring great things to the Holy Land and the world. ...

Graduation at the Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope

May 14, 2025

Tonight we honor the 2025 Graduating Class of the Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah. We are so proud of everything these students have accomplished, and we look forward to their bright futures. As we begin our graduation season in the Lutheran Schools, our prayers are with the students in Gaza and the northern West Bank who will not be able to graduate this year. The students and teachers who have now spent two full school years away from their classrooms are always in our hearts, and we pray that all the right to education will soon be restored for all in the Ho...

Pastor Rodny Said Installed as Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

May 11, 2025

We give thanks to God for the installation of Rev. Rodny Said as Pastor of the Arabic-speaking congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem! The congregation held two services led by Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar this morning, one in the Old City and one on the Mount of Olives....

EEC Hosts Spring Festival

May 09, 2025

Under the patronage of His Grace Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, the EEC concluded the 25th Bird Week with the 2025 Spring Festival. We were excited to welcome 230 students from the Environmental Clubs of local schools, including our Evangelical Lutheran Schools. The festival included student performances of music, Dabke, poetry, and theatre focused on the themes of Palestinian heritage and environmental stewardship. Fostering and affirming the connection between students and their land is more important than ever. Many of these students face severe movement restrictions in the ...

A Message from Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar on the Election of Pope Leo XIV

May 09, 2025

A Message from Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar on the Election of Pope Leo XIV Last night the world celebrated the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. We join our Catholic siblings in the Holy Land and around the world in joy and prayer as we look forward to his ministry. Pope Leo XIV’s first words to the church and the world from his new position were, “Peace be with you.” We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide him to be a voice for peace and justice in our troubled times, and to remember those on the margins whom Christ never forgot. ...

EEC Attends International Conferences

May 08, 2025

In the last few weeks, the Environmental Education Center participated in two significant meetings on climate justice, biodiversity conservation, and creation care: the Act Alliance MENA Climate Community of Practice (CoP) annual meeting and the Faith-Based Work on Climate Justice and Biodiversity in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. These events brought together over 20 international and regional organizations to discuss regional climate and environmental initiatives, share best practices, and plan future opportunities for collaboration. During the meetings, Executive Dir...

Spring Bird Week Begins at the EEC

May 07, 2025

This morning the Environmental Education Center kicked off the activities for their 25th Bird Week under the patronage of Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar. This biannual event coincides with the passage of migratory birds through Palestine and focuses on educating future generations about the importance of studying and preserving native year-round and migratory bird species. Keep an eye out for more Bird Week activities this week!...

Lutheran Schools Hold Spring Educational Day

May 06, 2025

Under the patronage of Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, the Evangelical Lutheran Schools held the annual Spring Educational Day today. This event, organized by the ELCJHL Education Office and hosted by ELS Beit Sahour brought together students from ELS, Dar Al-Kalima Lutheran School, and Talitha Kumi. The Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah was unable to join this year due to travel restrictions, but they held parallel activities at their school today. During the Spring Educational Day, students competed and earned prizes in subjects including sports, Arabic compositi...

Pastor Fursan Zu'mot Installed as Pastor at the Church of the Reformation

May 04, 2025

Today Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar presided over the official installation of Rev. Fursan Zu’mot as Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala. Thanks be to God! ...

ELS Beit Sahour Holds Annual Science Fair

Apr 30, 2025

Today, under the patronage of Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, ELS Beit Sahour held their annual Science Fair. Students presented projects in the areas of math, Arabic, biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, astronomy, robotics, and environmental science (renewable energy). We are very proud of the hard work of all of our students! ...

Dar al Kalima Lutheran School Hosts Sports Day

Apr 25, 2025

Under the patronage of Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, the Lutheran Schools held their annual Sports Day today, hosted by Dar Al-Kalima Lutheran School. Dar al Kalima, ELS Beit Sahour and Talitha Kumi were joined by Hope Secondary School from Beit Jala. Unfortunately the Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah was not able to join for the event due to travel and safety concerns. Students competed in football, ping pong, and chess tournaments throughout the day. We are proud of the sportsmanship, cooperation, and healthy competition exhibited by our students. ...

Bishop Azar Attends Requiem Mass for Pope Francis

Apr 24, 2025

Yesterday Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar attended the Requiem Mass for His Holiness Pope Francis at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and our siblings in Christ of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Bishop Azar and the entire ELCJHL continue to pray for our Catholic siblings and the universal church in this time of mourning....

ECLJHL Judges and Pastors Meet with Palestinian Justice Institute

Apr 24, 2025

Last year the ELCJHL began a partnership with the Palestinian Judicial Institute aimed at advancing justice within the ecclesiastical court system. Yesterday the partnership took a step forward with a joint meeting that gathered ELCJHL ecclesiastical judges, pastors, and representatives of the Gender Justice Ministry. The meeting was an opportunity to strengthen our connection with the PJI, explore its services, and begin outlining the next phases of cooperation. As part of this collaboration, the ELCJHL and PJI will jointly develop a tailored judicial training cu...

Bishop Azar Exchanges Easter Greetings with Local Partners

Apr 22, 2025

This morning Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and a delegation from the ELCJHL exchanged Easter greetings with our siblings in Christ of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate. We are honored to share the hope of the resurrection with our Christian community in Jerusalem during this shared Easter season....