By Daoud Kuttab

The Synod of the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Jordan and the Holy Land elected June 27^th  Rev. Dr. Imad Haddad as the new bishop of the Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. His official installation is scheduled for January 11, 2026, in Jerusalem.

Rev. Haddad, who currently serves at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Evangelical Church in Umm Uthaina, Amman, brings with him years of pastoral experience in Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, and Amman.

Former Bishop Munib Younan praised the election, describing Rev. Haddad as “a man called by the Lord Jesus to serve the Church of Christ with complete honesty, loyalty, and love.” Younan continued:

“The elected bishop has served with distinction, known for his humility, loving care for his flock, his attentiveness to their pain, and his shared joy in their celebrations.”

In an exclusive interview with Milhilard.org, Bishop Younan added:

“He is a patriotic man—calm in demeanor, wise in handling both small and large matters. He is deeply committed to Christian unity and is an ecumenical man in every sense of the word. We in the Evangelical Lutheran Church are proud of this humble servant, whose zeal strengthens the Christian witness in our country. We congratulate him and pray that God grants him wisdom and strength in shepherding His Church.”
Younan also noted that Dr. Haddad received unanimous support during the election, a sign of widespread respect and affection for his leadership and witness.
“He also works tirelessly to promote interfaith dialogue, harmony, and shared values for peaceful coexistence,” Younan said.

Dr. Mitri Raheb, a Lutheran pastor and president of Al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, expressed his full confidence in the bishop-elect’s ability to lead:

“Father Imad has served in Lutheran churches across Beit Sahour, Ramallah, and Amman, giving him firsthand knowledge of the church’s circumstances on both sides of the river. This is essential for any bishop. He also has international and ecclesiastical connections, along with extensive experience in church affairs. His studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut deepened his understanding of the church’s regional role—something that is especially important today.”

When asked by Milhilard.org what advice he would offer the new bishop, Dr. Raheb replied:

“I would remind him of the words of the Apostle Paul: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ We pray that the Lord grants him wisdom, strength, and joy in his leadership—for the glory of God, the building up of the Church, and the service of humanity.”

Father George Copti, president of the Episcopal Court in Jordan, also spoke warmly to Milhilard.org of Rev. Haddad:

“Father Dr. Imad Haddad is a dear brother and friend. Our friendship goes back more than 15 years. I know him to be quiet, humble, and compassionate, serving out of a deep divine calling and love for people.”
He added that their friendship is reflected in their mutual participation in services and preaching in each other’s churches.
“We also serve together as colleagues in the ecclesiastical court. I was thrilled to hear of his election as bishop. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him and to the Church, praying that the Lord will guide his steps, bless his ministry, and make it fruitful for God’s glory and the good of all.”

Christian activist Javier Abu Eid shared a broader perspective, saying:

“Bishop-elect Imad Haddad truly embodies what it means to be a servant of the authentic Church—a Church that stands close to its people, that listens and empathizes, that dares to speak truth to power, and that understands its prophetic role.”
Abu Eid also emphasized the importance of the Lutheran Church’s voice in Europe, especially to partners complicit in injustices facing the Palestinian people:
“I’m certain Bishop Haddad has a powerful message for them. He is humble, recently earned his doctorate, and is deeply aware of his community’s needs. His election is good news for Palestine.”

David Azar, a deacon in the Local Church of Ramallah and a former staff member for Palestinian Church Affairs, also offered praise:

“Rev. Imad Haddad is a warm and welcoming leader, loving and approachable to all, whether within the church or in broader society. At the same time, he is decisive and stands firm on matters of principle.”
Azar emphasized the importance of grounding Christian leadership in service:
“Love must be built on the foundation of service. That’s how we cultivate love for others and learn to embrace differences. I hope Bishop Haddad will work to foster unity among all churches, inspire our youth to serve, and lead a new generation of believers to bear witness to Christ in our land.”