IBN Christmas Appeal 2023
Across our troubled Region…
The LIGHT shines in the Darkness and the Darkness cannot Overcome it!”
Dear praying friends,
The grim consequences of the wars in Ukraine and in the Holy Land between Hamas and Israel are daily news and we give thanks to God for the limited humanitarian relief, hostage releases and ceasefire over recent days. We pray the whole Middle East situation will not escalate to involve Lebanon.
The European Baptist Federation (EBF) General Secretary, Alan Donaldson, was with us in N. Ireland recently and described what is happening as a “permacrisis” across the EBF region. He shared what God is doing in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, despite these wars. There is a real sense of God’s Presence and His Power at work, despite deep challenges, and our brothers and sisters are so appreciative of your prayers sustaining them.
Alan also shared how our brothers and sisters in Armenia are providing for displaced Armenians from the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has gone off our News bulletins. You can watch and listen to a recording of the evening here.
We have been deeply moved by your unprecedented financial support over the past 18 months, and also to the Appeal for Prayer for Peace and Healing. Bless you! See the News section of the website for information and updates. There are also regular updates on the EBF website at https://ebf.org.
At this time of Advent and Christmas, IBN is offering you an opportunity to give to Ukraine and the Holy Land with all donations going through EBF. All gifts will go directly to help these desperately needy situations. We are also enabling donations to go to Lebanon; these will go directly to LSESD/THIMAR partners providing holistic ministries in Lebanon and the Middle East Area. For personal gifts IBN can apply Gift Aid; please email us telling us of your gift. Bank details and our address etc. are on the flyer below.
PLEASE continue to PRAY for God in His mercy to intervene. You can join a monthly on-line prayer gathering at https://www.ebf.org/give-and-pray.
May God, who sent his Son as the Prince of Peace, be pleased to hear our cry for just and peaceful solutions to these terrible wars.
May we draw fresh hope in our God who is both Sovereign and Loving. We know our brothers and sisters feel the impact of our prayers for them in these days.
Advent and Christmas provide us with an opportunity to especially think of others. God gave us his Son, the Saviour of the Word. Please give towards practical help, relief and support being provided by brothers and sisters in each of these emergency situations. Might your church consider giving toward this appeal through your Christmas Carol Service Offering?
Thank you, again, and may God bless you as you bless others over this Advent and Christmas season.
Grace and Peace
Stephen Adams Hadden Wilson
Hon. Sec IBN Chairman IBN
IBN - Baptists in Ireland Networking Globally
IBN is managed by the directors of IBNetworks Trust Ltd, a charitable company registered with Northern Ireland Charity Commission (NIC 100323) and HMRC.