Daoud Kuttab

Rev. Nihad Salman, pastor of Emmanuel Church in Bethlehem, was elected by acclamation on June 7 as President of the Palestinian Evangelical Council, and Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, President of Bethlehem Bible College, was chosen as Vice President.

Rev. Munir Qaqish, pastor of the Ramallah Local Church, was honored and thanked for his service to the Council from July 7, 2007, to June 7, 2025.

After 18 years of service, the General Assembly of the Local Evangelical Council in the Holy Land had accepted the resignation of Rev. Munir Qaqish during the annual General Assembly meeting held on June 7 at the Bethlehem Bible College.

The new administrative council met, and the positions were distributed as follows:

Rev. Nihad Salman, President

Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, Vice President

Rev. Abdullah Khoury, Treasurer

Rev. Khader Khoury, Secretary

Rev. Mazen Nasrawi, Member

Brother Manuel Abu Ali, Member

Participants in the General Assembly meeting of the Council at Bethlehem Bible College
Rev. Nihad Salman told Milhilard.org that the council’s priorities will focus on completing the journey undertaken by our predecessors, strengthening the presence and building the evangelical entity with its correct concepts in the church and the institution, strengthening the local church in several areas, especially after the difficult circumstances our country has experienced, from the coronavirus pandemic to the war. They will also focus on strengthening the youth presence in the church through dedicated, systematic, and modern programs to promote supportive and active youth in the local church, and insist on promoting discipleship programs in every church, given the importance of discipleship in the evangelical journey.

Rev. Dr. Jack Sarah told milhilard.org that he hopes the new administrative body will be able to represent the Palestinian evangelical voice clearly. “This will require the Council to keep the churches in its sights and to bring any scattered evangelical ministry under its wing.”

In a special statement to milhilard.org, Rev. Munir Qaqish said, “I wish the new members of the administrative body success. I am very happy with what has happened, and I am confident that they are fully aware of the role of the council’s leadership.” Qaqish affirmed his continued support for them, saying, “This council is dear to my heart, with all its churches, institutions, and members.” He promised that he would participate in all the council’s activities and be their primary supporter. He prays for wisdom in leadership, especially during times of challenges, God forbid.

The new president, Rev. Nihad Salman, and his deputy, Rev. Jack Sara, present a plaque of appreciation to Rev. Munir Qaqish after 18 years of service to the council.

Rev. Qaqish will continue to chair the Union of Evangelical Councils in Jordan and Palestine until August 31, when the presidency will be transferred to the Jordan Council, headed by retired Major General Imad Saliba Maayah. Mayaya sent congratulations to the new chairman of the administrative body and expressed appreciation for the work of Rev. Munir Qaqish over the past years. Rev. Boutros Gharib, head of the Evangelical Council in the Galilee, also congratulated the council’s new administrative body, headed by Rev. Nihad Salman.

The Evangelical Council in Palestine was founded in 1997 and includes churches and Christian institutions. A new constitution was approved to regulate the council’s work and provide equal opportunities for all, while preserving priority for church pastors to assume senior positions within the council.