news article

Israel/Palestine missionaries to speak in Schenectady

August 25, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Rev. Alex Awad and his wife Brenda Awad – both United Methodist missionaries with the General Board of Global Ministries – have invested the greater part of their life in a reconciling ministry within Israel/Palestine. The couple will provide a 45-minute adult forum starting at 11:45 a.m. on Aug. 30 at First United Methodist Church in Schenectady. There will also be a more focused discussion with the Awads from 4:30-6 p.m., when they will share their experience through the years in Palestine/Israel; the current situation for the Palestinians, Israelis, and Christians as they experience it; how we can help with reconciliation at home and in the Middle East; and more. There will also be a question and answer time.

Those interested have a second opportunity to meet with the Awads. The pair will also be at the Saratoga Springs UMC, Fifth Avenue and Henning Road, for a light luncheon engagement on Aug. 31. The luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. and will be followed by the Awads discussing “Israel-Palestine: A Palestinian Christian Perspective.” This focus will be similar to the dialogue in Schenectady, and similarly there will be time for a question and answer session.

Rev. Alex (right) and Brenda AwadRev. Awad is the pastor at a small international church in East Jerusalem and is affiliated with the Bethlehem Bible College as professor, dean of students, and board member. Rev. Awad was born in Jerusalem. His formative years were marked by the death of his father, who was killed in 1948 during crossfire between the Israeli and Jordanian armies. His mother raised seven children as refugees. Rev. Awad says that in reflection, the silver lining in his family’s tragedy was his mother’s revived commitment to the Christ she experienced as a young student in a Christian school.

“The teachings of our Lord, Jesus, influenced my life early on, and I became consumed with the desire to see my fellow Palestinians share the faith and hope that brought so much comfort and direction to my family and me in our sufferings,” he said. “While attending St. George’s High School in Jerusalem, I began to pray for God to send missionaries to my people. God’s answer was simple: ‘Why don’t you go?’”

Rev. Awad did go. And he stayed.

For more information, contact the Rev. Bob Long, retired, at bikealong2@nycap.rr.com.