Objectives

The Lebanese Evangelical Society is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not seek to gain profit out of its work, but its real objectives, which it has preserved without any change since its establishment in 1967, are the following:

1. Spread the Gospel in Lebanon and the Middle East
2. Disseminate moral, educational, and cultural principles that are derived from the Bible in Lebanon
3. Train young people on leadership in spiritual activities/works
4. Give charity to the homeless and to people with special needs
5. Care for juveniles who are at risk of delinquency

To achieve its objectives, the society relies on the following means:

1. Establish schools and faculties
2. Establish schools for students with special needs
3. Establish orphanages, nursing homes, and other humanitarian institutions
4. Carry out charity, humanitarian, and relief work
5. Establish cultural and educational publishing houses
6. Establish research centers for Human Sciences

Nature

The Lebanese society maintains friendly relations with evangelical churches and organizations and with various denominations and sects.

Statement of faith

1. The Bible: we believe that the Old and New Testaments are God’s written, infallible, and inspired Word that is the Truth, has absolute authority, and is the point of reference for our life and faith.
2. Trinity: we believe in one God existing from everlasting in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
3. Christ and His work: we believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world, and in His incarnation, His virgin birth, His humanity, His substitutionary atonement, and His return.
4. The Holy Spirit and His work: we believe in the Holy Spirit and His deity, and that through His work we become a new creation. He lives in every believer and gives them the ability to live a victorious life over sin, and a life of ministry, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ’s teachings.
5. The second birth: we believe in the necessity of a new birth, which alone turns sinful humans into children of God by grace and faith. Salvation happens through faith in Christ alone, and the new life ought to be evident in a Christian’s life.

Mrs Elizabeth Bowen-Thompson arrived in Lebanon in 1860 with a mission to support the numerous widows and their children, initially in Beirut. She went on to establish many evangelical schools across the region.

The story in the historic city of Tyre began in 1867 when a young student of the school in Beirut decided to spend a long vacation in her hometown. She had taken with her a Bible and her Bible-Study notes. In those days, the people of Tyre were pleading for an “English” school and their cries were heard within two years by the opening of the Victoria Augusta School in 1869. Sadly, the mission founder died the same year but the work continued mainly due to the efforts of her brother-in-law, Mr Mentor Mott.

Over more than 153 years the work has continued to develop. The main ministries included a school for boys, school for girls, school for the visually impaired, a dispensary and family visitations. Although at times the ministry experienced opposition, when at times it seemed the work must end, with gratefulness we praise God that His plans are greater than ours.

In 1969, being in the proximity of the ruins of ancient Tyre, the original school buildings were compulsorily acquired by the Lebanese government. We are indebted to the excellent guidance of Mr David Tieel (then General Secretary of LES) who negotiated the purchase of the land on which the present buildings stand. Although some thought the site was “too far” from the city, construction went ahead. Much further development has taken place over the last 50 years, the school now providing education for over 1000 students aged between 3 and 18 years.

Over the years the school has been staffed by many Lebanese and foreign workers such as Miss Ballantyne, Miss Pole and Miss Stammers. All should be fondly remembered for having devoted their lives to serving the school, and for their ministry to the citizens of Tyre. Specifically, former Principal Mrs Abboud, a Tyrian, stands out, loving and faithfully serving God as she skilfully built the solid reputation of the school. LEST still stands out not only as a place known for academic excellence, but where a holistic approach is taken to support the child in reaching their potential through sport and other extra-curricular activities. Further, in keeping with the school’s origins, all students attend chapel weekly and full-time staff attend daily Staff Prayers.

In the future, as the city continues to expand, we need to meet the growing demand for places in our school. Acquisition of land near the present site, or a second site just outside the city appear as possibilities, but we look to God for guidance before taking action.

In 1930 Mr J D Maitland-Kirwan, then Honorary General Secretary, released a book titled “Sunrise in Syria” giving the history and a report of work undertaken by the mission. In the book he states “The work in Tyre is very promising”. The same God who called that student to take her Bible home for the vacation is the God who now calls and encourages us to carry on His work here in Tyre. We continue, as our school motto says to ” Planting eternal seeds in young hearts and minds” with the assurance God will in due time gather the harvest.

To learn more about LEST please visit our website.