General Secretary of Bible Society Lebanon, Dr Mike Bassous, is in Australia this week to raise awareness and support for the work of Bible Society in meeting the needs of Syrian refugees flooding into Lebanon. Christians in the Middle East need help if they are to respond to the growing refugee crisis.

The situation in Syria and neighbouring Lebanon has reached a crisis point, with the United Nations estimating that as many as 30,000 people have died as a result of the recent conflict. UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, reports that as many as 100,000 Syrians are seeking refuge in neighbouring Lebanon, and as many as 284,000 Syrian refugees have fled their homeland since the crisis began.

For years, Dr Mike Bassous and the Bible Society in Lebanon have been actively involved in holistic ministry with refugees, providing Scriptures, food, household items and medical care. “We have tried to move away from being another book publisher and to more giving the Bible the real place in our society and community, and that is the central place”, says Dr Bassous. In the past year, Dr Bassous has seen firsthand the enormous human cost of the conflict in Syria, as refugees flood into neighbouring Lebanon, and he is committed to sharing the hope of Christ to all those adversely affected.

Bible Society Lebanon is working in partnership with relief agencies to meet the need for practical assistance, as well as Scriptures for those living in the camps. Dr Bassous tells, “the impact of course is five times or ten times greater than just giving out the Bible by itself, because here what we are doing is giving out the word of God, but we are actually practicing what the word of God says. When you see your brother’s thirsty give him a glass of water, when you see he is sick go and visit him. So we are actually living the Bible, and presenting a hard copy at the same time.”

Dr Bassous also works on a global scale to promote the Biblical values of respect, justice, peace, and reconciliation. Dr Bassous serves as the Vice Chairman of the Global Board of the United Bible Societies, as well as an adjunct professor in international studies at Taylor University, USA. He holds key insight into the state of Bible distribution across the globe, as well the role of the Christian not-for-profit sector in connecting the Bible’s ethical teaching with the needs of the people in ethics, poverty religion, politics and the arts.

Dr Bassous will speak about the hardship facing Syrians and Lebanese alike at various events in New South Wales and Victoria. Find out what events are happening near you below.

To donate to Bible Society’s Lebanon Project, click here.

Event Schedule