Rebuilding the C&MA of Beirut

“To think that all this damage occurred in one second, but it needs about one whole year to repair is mind-boggling!” says Dr. Milad Dagher, Alliance pastor in Lebanon. The explosion that happened in Beirut on August 4th this year damaged several buildings, including the Christian Alliance Institute of Theology (CAIT), churches, ministries and offices. Let us pray and find ways to help our brothers and sisters rebuild. Please, click here to donate to Lebanon Relief.

On August 4th this year, two explosions in the port of Beirut left the city in ruins. Many lost their loved ones, homes and jobs. Our Alliance family was also greatly affected: the Christian Alliance Institute of Theology (CAIT) building suffered extensive damage. Several church facilities, offices and ministry rooms will have to undergo lengthy repairs.

The CAIT building suffered a lot of damage to its window frames, interior doors, drywall and dropped ceilings, including light fixtures and cabling. The structure is unstable and will be unusable until the repairs are completed. The student housing facilities are also severely affected, but the issues are different depending on the location. Unfortunately, this means most of the students have had to be relocated to the Alliance Church of Haret El-Bellaneh.

The buildings and all of their facilities (Sunday school rooms, offices, the Youth center and the parsonage) of the Alliance Church in Karantina were also severely damaged. Most of the aluminum window frames and glass, dropped ceilings, drywall dividers and electrical wiring need to be replaced. The red roof shingles are mostly destroyed on all seven buildings. In some places, the steel beams of the truss structure have suffered a deflection that needs fixing.

Two engineers have sent reports on the damage. The estimated total cost, which includes a 10% error margin, is more than $300,000 USD. It will take around a year to make all the repairs.

Dr. Milad Dagher, the leader of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Lebanon, has expressed his thoughts: “To think that all this damage occurred in one second, but it needs about one whole year to repair is mind-boggling. Added to it all, the damage in the city and people’s homes makes the task of reconstruction daunting. However, we believe that God has placed us in Beirut for a reason, and it is to glorify God and make Christ known to a most needy city and people.”

AWF is in close communication with the leadership of the Alliance of Lebanon and is receiving donations on behalf of the Alliance Church in Karantina and CAIT. Please, click here to donate to the Lebanon Relief.

Let us all unite as a family to pray for our brothers and sisters. We pray that through this terrible tragedy, God’s light reaches many lives.