2019 ANNUAL PASTORS BANQUET

On Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Le Royal Hotel in Beirut Lebanon, Horizons International held its 4th annual Pastor’s Banquet, entitled “Together for the Great Commission.” Over 80 church pastors, leaders, and evangelical NGO representatives attended the gathering, making it the largest banquet in Horizons’ history.

ORDER OF EVENTS

1. Welcoming

After the arrival of the honored guests, the Lebanese national anthem was played and the audience was welcomed. Khalil Abdelahad, Horizons’ Director of Church Relations, addressed the opening speech, in which he discussed choosing the Great Commission as a way of life for the different generations in the church.

Following the opening word, Boutros Wehbe, Director of Field Ministries, led the attendees in a period of worship. During this time he sang songs from his new album, Omri Elak.

2. Message from Pierre and Georges Houssney

Pierre Houssney, Horizons’ Executive Director, shared his calling for ministry in Lebanon and the strategic vision of Horizons in supporting the local Evangelical churches. Then came a message from his father, Rev. Georges Houssney, Founder and President of Horizons International. Georges presented a powerful challenge to the church leaders, which emphasized the ultimate importance of the Great Commission as the mission of everyone in the Church. He made a special appeal to the church leaders to encourage their churches in Lebanon toward sending Lebanese missionaries abroad.

3. Honoring Esteemed Guests

This banquet provided an incredible opportunity to honor the former President of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, Dr. Salim Sahyouni. He was honored in the presence of the Head of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Churches, Rev. Joseph Kassab, and the MP in the Lebanese Parliament, Rev. Dr. Edgard Traboulsi, who spoke with impressive words, praising Rev. Sahyouni and his great legacy for more than 40 years of service. Rev. Georges Houssney presented a tribute to him and then presented a tribute to MP Traboulsi for the great contributions his service to God has brought to the nation of Lebanon. Georges also presented a tribute to Rev. Kassab to bless and celebrate his recent election as the President of the Evangelical Supreme Council.

4. Concluding Words

At the end of the ceremony, everyone participated in a large dinner full of fellowship and inspiring discussion for the future. Gifts were presented to all the guests at this time, including Boutros Wehbe’s Arabic worship album Omri Elak. 

A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY

The event was a huge success and it was a historic opportunity to gather such a large number of pastors of the Evangelical churches in Lebanon, in addition to the esteemed guests. The invitees expressed their great admiration for the banquet and its participants, and thanked Horizons’ staff for their consistent labor and zeal for the Great Commission. They also recognized and commended the role of Horizons International in supporting the Church, both in Lebanon and in the Middle East.

We would like to thank all of you who have supported the Church Engagement project, both through prayer and finances, because without you this event would not have been possible.