Summer 2025 at Bethlehem Bible College: A Season of Growth and Impact
This summer at Bethlehem Bible College was far from quiet. While classrooms were less crowded, our faculty, staff, and students were busy teaching, serving, researching, and leading both locally and abroad.
Our leadership and faculty carried the mission of the College around the world. Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, our President, shared a recorded message at the Evangelical Covenant Church annual meeting in Florida after travel was disrupted by the war with Iran. He later organized a training program in Germany that brought together twelve students and young leaders for intensive evangelism and outreach training. Dr. Yousef AlKhouri, our Academic Dean, traveled extensively to the United States, Ecuador, and the Netherlands, where he preached, gave keynote addresses, and published three academic papers in new theological volumes. His work highlighted the mission of Bethlehem Bible College, the witness of Palestinian Christianity, and the challenges of Christian Zionism.
Meanwhile, Rula Rishmawi, our Students’ Affairs Coordinator, visited Palestinian villages and cities (Taybeh, Aboud, Zababdeh, Ramallah, etc) to meet prospective students and share about the College’s programs and vibrant student life. Recognizing the lack of theological education in these communities, she encourage them to pursue theological education, while also traveling to Malaysia to teach youth evangelism at a women’s leadership conference. Haytham Dieck, Coordinator of the Tour Guide Program, continued his PhD research in the United Kingdom and led the College’s summer tour guide courses, which included enriching field trips across the Bethlehem area. Rev. Dr. Andrew Bush, who leads the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice’s educational programs, presented at international conferences in Amsterdam and London, launched a new edited book project with Dr. Tony Deik, The Witness of Jesus in the Shadow of Christian Zionism, and began developing a timely course on Christian Theology in Response to Gaza.
Our students also had a remarkable summer filled with opportunities to serve, learn, and grow. Many were actively involved in their churches, leading worship and organizing youth activities. A highlight was their service and leadership at the NEXTGEN Arabic Conference, hosted for the first time in Palestine and held at Bethlehem Bible College. The three-day event, “Roots for Life,” gathered young adults from across the region for worship, inspiration, and connection. Faculty and leadership, including Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, Dr. Madeline Sara, and Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, were among the featured speakers, encouraging the next generation of Arab Christian leaders.
This summer reflected God’s faithfulness through service, scholarship, and witness. We give thanks for our community’s achievements and for the support of friends and partners worldwide. Please continue to keep us in prayer as we seek to shine Christ’s light from Bethlehem to the nations.
