An outbreak of fighting in the country of Lebanon has led to the temporary closure of the Beirut Baptist School (BBS).
The school, founded in 1956 and run by the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development (LSESD), a Baptist organization, was closed May 8 after fighting broke out between government forces and Hezbollah, the major Islamic movement in Lebanon.
More than 90 percent of the approximately 1,200 students at BBS are Muslims, attracted to the institution due to its reputation for delivering high-quality education.
The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, which began in 1960 and is also run by LSESD, had to postpone a public lecture scheduled for May 12 because of the violence.
Nabil Costa, executive director of LSESD, was out of the country when the fighting broke out but traveled safely by road back into Lebanon.
"Please pray for wisdom for all relevant decision makers," he said. "Pray for sincerity in their endeavors. Pray as well for the Lord’s protection on the people and His intervention that this country may be able to move forward and thrive in its role as [a] center for Christian ministry and a gateway to the Arab world."
Lebanon, the country with the largest Christian population in the Middle East, has had a series of conflicts and violent clashes in recent times. The latest fighting began May 7. Some reports are that more than 80 people have been killed and several hundred injured. There are fears that the fighting may escalate into a civil war. (BWA)
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