Learn about the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus
Recognized by the 208th General Assembly, the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus (NMEPC) brings together all PC(USA) Middle Eastern Presbyterians, congregations, fellowships, Bible study groups and mission personnel serving in the Middle East. The Caucus’ mission statement is as follows:
“As Christian Middle Eastern Americans who trace their faith origin to the apostolic age, we have a particular responsibility to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, to actively support the mission, witness and stewardship of the PC(USA) and to be a voice of justice, peace and reconciliation in the United States and the Middle East.”
The Caucus’s nine-member executive committee represents Middle Eastern Presbyterians before the denomination’s General Assembly, synods and presbyteries.
Read recent statements by the NMEPC
In response to the bombings of eight churches on Sunday, July 12, 2009, the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus has issued a statement on behalf of the oppressed Iraqi Christian community. The statement calls upon Christians worldwide to pray earnestly and muster their recourses and influence to ensure the safety of the Christian community in Iraq.
In response to the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizbullah the NMEPC issued a statement calling for “all illegal and terroristic activities on all sides come to an abrupt and final end, ... an end to Israel’s occupation as the first real step toward a genuine peace in the region, ... [and] to base U.S. foreign policy on the legal and moral values that our nation and constitution are founded on.”
The NMEPC issued a statement Concerning Actions of the 216th General Assembly to promote peace and justice in Israel and Palestine. “We commend the actions taken by the 216th General Assembly, which were clearly intended to address the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as the core cause (though not the only cause) of violence and continued hostility between the state of Israel and many Middle Eastern countries. … Both investment and divestment are needed strategies to bring about justice and peace in this conflict. … We, therefore, encourage the 217th General Assembly (2006) to reaffirm the 216th General Assembly’s decision to initiate a process of phased selective divestment from companies that profit from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories ….”
Meet the 2009-2011 Executive Committee
In June 2009, the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus gathered for its biennial meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The following individuals were elected to the 2009-2011 executive committee:
Chair, Funds Development Committee
Mr. Zohny Hanna
Arcadia, California
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Chair, Communication
Mrs. Tamara Abhari
Duarte, California
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Chair, Women’s Committee
Elder Lucy Janjigian
Franklin Lakes, N.J.
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Chair, Christian Education and Youth Committee
Ms. Noha Khoury
Whitehall, Pennsylvania
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Moderator
The Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel
Atlanta, Georgia
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Vice moderator
The Rev. Fakhri Yacoub
Richmond, Virginia
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Secretary
The Rev. Raafat L. Zaki
Dallas, Texas
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Treasurer
Elder Joseph Faragalla
Whippany, N.J.
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Chair, Peacemaking Committee
The Rev. Fuad Khouri
Silver Spring, Maryland
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