A few days ago, the world witnessed an outstanding ecumenical, humanitarian, developmental, and cultural event: the convening of the Fourth General Assembly of the ACT Alliance, whose name in Arabic means "Action of Churches Together."

The ACT Alliance and the World Council of Churches (WCC) constitute the two international poles of the ecumenical movement in the world. While the former includes in its membership over 350 churches embracing ecumenism, the latter comprises more than 150 ecumenical development agencies affiliated with these churches.

These two institutions are among the world's most committed and concerned organizations regarding humanitarian issues—from human rights to development, including the defense of all just causes globally. Their history is adorned with achievements on all levels, making them exemplary models for institutions working in this field. Moreover, the positions of both institutions on all complex humanitarian issues are a source of pride for the member churches.

WCC General Secretary Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay:

“Strengthening relationships and working together in God's work and God's mission in the world is crucial”

At the invitation of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the General Secretaries of regional Ecumenical organizations met online on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the presence of the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay.

The meeting aimed to follow up on regional and global developments in Ecumenical and humanitarian work, in addition to exchanging views and experiences on various current and urgent social issues. Noting that the WCC has a particular interest in consulting with regional general secretaries on the strategic directions for engaging the fellowship of member churches and ecumenical partners on a common Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.

The online meeting was attended by Professor Dr. Michel Abs, General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), His Eminence Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, Reverend James Baghwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Reverend Frank Dieter Fischbach, General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches, Reverend Dr. Fidon Mwombeki, General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, Pastor Peter Noteboom, General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, and Dr. Marcelo Schneider, WCC Programme Executive for Ecumenical Relations and Communication.

Word of the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs at the launching of the Media Production Center “The Platform of the Word”, at the Middle East Council of Churches in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel.

He who was in the beginning,

And became flesh,

dwelt among us,

And wrote for us the Book of Love,

He who loved His enemies and blessed those who cursed Him,

And defended Himself with resounding silence,

He Who thanked His executioners and forgave them,

He whose blood flowed and watered the soil of the Holy Mountain,

And with Him began the New Testament,

He who drew for humanity the path of salvation from its sin and hypocrisy,

He is the Word!…

Video - Exclusive Interview with the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay:

“Dialogue must be the way forward and we need to get people together”

The voice of the youth is needed for making change"

The Middle East Council of Churches – Indonesia

Photo: Albin Hillert/ACT

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in" (Matthew 25 :35). Based on this call from Jesus Christ, serving with love has become an essential and necessary action today more than ever, in order to sow hope in the hearts of those who have tasted the bitterness of wars, conflicts, and crises. Many are striving to embody this call through action, solidarity, and standing by the most vulnerable and neediest people, to heal their wounds and restore peace to their lives. 

In fact, this call was carried by the 4^th General Assembly of ACT Alliance, the main partner of the World Council of Churches (WCC), which took place under the theme "Hope in Action, Together for Justice," from October 28 to November 1, 2024, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 

The Middle East Council of Churches participated in this Ecumenical and international developmental event, where there was a meeting with the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, who spoke in a special interview for the the Middle East Council of Churches’ website about the importance of service with dignity and the need for collective efforts to achieve the long-awaited justice. 

Video - The Secretary General, Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, in an Exclusive Interview for the MECC Website:

“The Middle East is a very concerned region because it's showing how the humanitarian system is hostage of lack of respect to the humanitarian laws... and this is unacceptable”

The next generation needs to be very proactive, otherwise the future of humanity will be complicated”

The Middle East Council of Churches - Indonesia

In a world dominated by wars, conflicts, and crises that have destroyed people and humanity, hope remains a source of strength and determination to work together for the cause of humanity. Every human being who tortured and marginalized as a result of injustice and injustice. All humans who need someone to heal their wounds, alleviate their sorrows, and sorrow joy in their days. Thus, the role of the “ACT Alliance” international organization comes, seeking to be a Good Samaritan who embodies through his service his love for the stranger and the neighbor.

Despite all the challenges around the world, ACT Alliance decided to hold its fourth General Assembly under the theme “Hope in Action, Together for Justice,” emphasizing that the will of life is the strongest. A global Ecumenical event full of fraternity and love, hosted by the Indonesian “Yakkum” Center for the People with Disabilities, in the Yogyakarta region in Indonesia. It took place between October 28 and November 1, 2024, with the participation of the ACT Alliance family, its employees and representatives of its members from regional and international organizations and bodies, including the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

As part of the General Assembly activities, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) had a meeting with the General Secretary of ACT Alliance, Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, who spoke in an exclusive interview for the MECC website about the most prominent issues that were addressed, stressing the importance of service, solidarity and advocacy.

This report presents an overview about the activities of the ACT Alliance General Assembly, which was held under the theme “Hope in Action, Together for Justice,” between October 28 and November 1, 2024, in the Yogyakarta region - Indonesia.

Photo: Albin Hillert/ACT

In the presence of ACT Alliance General Secretary Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria and the World Council of Churches General Secretary Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, the General Assembly of ACT Alliance elected a new Governing Board. It includes representatives from different regions and continents around the world, among them Eng. Samer Laham, the nominee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Director of its Department of Diakonia and Social Service.

Photo: Albin Hillert/ACT

The issue of climate justice was the focus of many activities during the activities of the Youth Pre Assembly and the 4^th General Assembly of the global ACT Alliance in Indonesia, so what are the details?

This report presents some clarifications!

Photo: Albin Hillert/ACT

What Are Its Details?

Youth hopes for a better future. In this report, you can find an overview about the Youth Pre Assembly held by the international ACT Alliance in Yogyakarta - Indonesia, in addition to interviews with some of the participants who emphasized the bond of love that unites them.

Photo: Albin Hillert/ACT

The General Secretary of the International ACT Alliance Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria delivers a word via video on the occasion of the launching of “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel.

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay delivers a word via video on the occasion of the launching of “The Platform of the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel.

Report: October 2024

The war in Gaza and Lebanon continues to drag on despite international condemnation of the occupier which continues to murder civilians. Unable to find a diplomatic solution to end the conflict the world braces for a prolonged conflict by mobilizing humanitarian aid to assist the displaced. Meanwhile regional players tighten their grip on the region by sending arms and related defensive equipment only to fuel the war and expanding it in scale and scope. Many are awaiting the outcome of the presidential election in the US hoping that either candidates will   fulfill their promises for peace once elected.

Ms. Caroline Haddad, Executive and Administrative Assisatnt for the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Dr. Michel Abs, during the inauguration of "The Platform of the Word"

Word of Dr. Marie-Thérèse Kreidy, Director of Programs at Télé Lumière and Noursat, Representing the TV, during the inauguration of "The Platform of the Word"

Word of the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Responsible of the Platform and Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), during the inauguration of "The Platform of the Word"

Word of Dr. Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), during the inauguration of "The Platform of the Word"

We meet today for a first gathering at "The Platform of the Word," colleagues and partners in ecumenical work, to celebrate the opening of the platform—a project equipped by Noursat for the Middle East Council of Churches—to advance ecumenical media in the Middle East and worldwide.

It was a blessed moment when Télé Lumière, through the tireless efforts of a struggling ecumenical media professional—our colleague in the Council and a veteran in Télé Lumière—decided to provide the oldest institution in ecumenical work in the region with modern and advanced means to spread the salvific message.

This initiative comes in the fiftieth year since the establishment of the Middle East Council of Churches in 1974, and in the ninety-fifth year since the establishment of the Near East Christian Council in 1929, the foundational nucleus of our Council.

However, this initiative, in addition to the efforts to achieve it by those concerned, did not come from a vacuum. There is a strong bond between Noursat and the Middle East Council of Churches due to decades of interaction, as well as the shared goal of common Christian work—that is, ecumenism.

An astute observer of the work of these two institutions might ask why they are not a single institution, not only because of their goals but also due to the homogeneity in approach and methodology. In this platform, the two institutions have become one in working to raise the lamp high in the dome of the sky, to illuminate the path for humanity.

During the opening of the Télé Lumière and Noursat office in the North of Lebanon, and the assignment of the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), to manage the office, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Professor Dr. Michel Abs delivered a speech entitled “Noursat: The Good Word in the Face of Violence and Barbarism”.

You may find the full video of the opening of the Media Production Center “The Platform of the Word,” which was launched by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in partnership with Télé Lumière and Noursat TV Channel, in an official ceremony held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Platform’s headquarters in the offices of the MECC General Secretariat in Beirut.