ccm Cross 0191 St. Matthews Church, Zababdeh, Holy Land

ccm Cross 0191
Saturday September 22, 2018

St. Matthews Church
Zababdeh, Holy Land
ccm Cross 0191

GPS/DMS 32°23’’10.94″N 35°19’29.38″E

Additional Photos after testimony:

4717 cdd Unimaginable Challenge
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 19 Number 226

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: James 1:12
“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life” MSG (Bible Paraphrase)

Hello, my name is Pastor Saleem Dawani of The St. Matthews Church in Zababdeh, Palestine, The Holy Land. Everyone calls me Pastor Saleem. I was born in Nablus, Palestine the youngest of three children. My dad was a hospital administrator and mom attended us at home.

We were a devout church family while growing. Everyone encouraged me from my youngest years to be a Pastor. It became my second identity. When I was in high school I believed I would one day be a Pastor and set my life for this event. Then I met a Bishop and asked for help to become a Pastor. He refused. He said I was too young, and I should live a little of life first and then seek him out. My dream was crushed! He blocked me from becoming a Pastor.

I finished high school and went to four years of college where I earned an accounting degree. I received a very good job after college and was very successful. But the still small voice of the Holy Spirit encouraged me to seek theology training. One day I would say “yes, Lord”. The next day I would say “no, Lord”. I had an inner fight going on. Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no!

Then I had a dream where the Holy Spirit revealed that I was a Pastor. I physically saw myself Pastoring people. The changed my answer to “Yes, Lord.”

I registered for theology classes but the only classes I could get were in English. I only spoke Arabic. With the Holy Spirit on my side I started my theological studies. The first year was an unimaginable challenge. Looking up every word and constructing them into sentences as well as studying the Bible was difficult to handle. Several times I quit. But I always heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit encouraging me on. The second year it became easier and by the end of my four years I was proficient in English and theology.

I graduated and started working as an assistant Pastor. This was for six months and then I was transferred here to St. Matthews Church, Zababdeh, Palestine. The current Pastor just showed me around the facilities. Then just as I was getting acquainted he was reassigned. I was on my own. Just me and the Holy Spirit. I had no idea what to do while leading a church.

St. Matthews was a hub for young people. The Pastor was so kind and friendly and encouraged all the youth. This was something I was unfamiliar with. I prayed and asked the Lord for help.

That was five years ago and now our youth have doubled. The Holy Spirit still encourages me in my prayer time to continue for the Glory of God. The youth are alive for the Lord and the future of our church is bright.

Three years ago, I met my wife Adma. We now have a daughter one year old.

My favorite Bible verse is John 4:24 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” NKJV

The Cross means to me that Jesus gave His life for my sins. He loves me so much that if I was the only one on planet earth He would have done it. Now Because He lives I must pick up His Cross and introduce it to all people. He is love and will save them.

This beautiful gold Gross planted today is a message for all who pass by that this is a place of Jesus Christ. Come in and see who He is and accept His offer of eternal life.

Prayer: Father thank that You don’t give up on those you call for ministry and even in unimaginable challenges you equip accordingly. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen