Our Peace Center is now up and running!

As many of you know, it has long been our vision to establish a dedicated Peace Center in Lebanon. This dream emerged from the urgent need to create safe, neutral spaces where diverse communities in Lebanon could come together. Geographical divisions in Lebanon make it difficult to find venues that are universally accepted as neutral ground. Having a dedicated center allows us to create a genuine space for dialogue, workshops, conferences, and other activities that foster reconciliation, mercy, training, and the spread of God’s word.

In May 2024, we successfully completed negotiations, and by June, we received the keys to our five-floor building after making a $200,000 USD deposit toward the purchase! By God’s grace, we are thrilled to say that our center is now up and running!

We immediately began the process of reconditioning the space. Over the Summer, we focused on essential improvements, including plumbing, electrical installations, refurbishing, painting, and general renewal to ensure the building could serve its intended purpose. By the end of September 2024 and continuing through to December, we transformed the center into a temporary shelter, offering refuge to families displaced by the ongoing war.

Now, as we move into January 2025, we are thrilled to return the center to its original mission: to host teams, facilitate training, run University of the Nations (UofN) courses, organize community activities, and serve as a base for Play For Peace, alongside our ASR offices and other peacebuilding initiatives.

The center serves a threefold purpose:

•  To be a shared, nurturing space that fosters mutual understanding among diverse communities.

•  To provide training in conflict transformation, violence prevention, and discipleship schools.

•  To address the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the communities we serve.

Why Bourj Hammoud?

Bourj Hammoud, located in Metn Caza, a suburb of Beirut, is a district with a rich history. Originally settled by Armenians fleeing from Turkey after 1915, it now houses a mixture of Lebanese, Armenian, Syrian, Palestinian, and migrant populations. The area has long struggled with overcrowding, poverty, and frequent social tensions.

The Syrian crisis has exacerbated these challenges, with a growing number of refugees adding to the population. Today, Bourj Hammoud’s estimated population of 100,000 lives in a densely packed area, contributing to heightened social and economic strain. The Lebanese and Armenian communities have reported rising tensions, particularly with Syrian refugees. The area has seen increased safety concerns, such as violence, harassment, and addiction, making it clear that urgent intervention is needed.

Despite these challenges, we are hopeful and grateful for the opportunity to move forward with our vision.

While the center is now a reality, we still need financial support to complete the additional refurbishment needed to fully optimise the space. Furthermore, we are working to pay off the remaining balance of $400,000 USD for the building, or we can pay $50,000 per year over the next few years.

We are deeply thankful for the provision we’ve experienced so far, and we humbly ask for your partnership in helping us fully realise this vision. Together, we can make a lasting impact in Lebanon and help create a future filled with hope and peace for its communities.

Will you consider partnering with us to bring this center and this vision for a better future in Lebanon to completion?​

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