WCC NEWS: Middle East Council of Churches co-launches new media production center

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in partnership with Télé Lumière - Noursat, launched a new media production center. The new center, called "Manbar Al Kalima,” or “The Platform of the Word,” is equipped with the latest technology and modern tools—and they will be used to foster the wellbeing of humankind. Photo: Middle East Council of Churches 13 November 2024 MECC secretary general Prof. Dr Michel Abs stated: “Through the documents we aim to produce, we will address, from an ecumenical Christian perspective, all the phenomena concerning the modern individual.” The launch event was held 7 November in Beirut under the slogan "The Word Became Flesh.”  Manbar Al Kalima is one among several resources and initiatives launched in commemoration of the MECC’s 50th anniversary.    Dr Laure Abi Khalil, MECC project coordinator for the Social Capital Rehabilitation Project, noted in her speech that "media has numerous positive impacts, making it essential in modern society as a key tool for spreading human rights and faith values… From this platform, the council will voice its stance on changes affecting Middle Eastern society, impacting our values and social unity.” Media personality Lea Adel Maamari, head of the platform and coordinator of church and media relations at the MECC, emphasized in her speech that “Manbar Al Kalima is equipped with the latest technology and modern tools that we will use to foster humanity and the well-being of humankind, following God’s commandments of love, which empower us to overcome violence, wars, and crises. From this platform, the council will broadcast a range of human, ecclesial, social, and cultural programs, as well as church news and highlights of the council’s activities and projects, along with other media content that will air on various Christian media networks that are part of our ecumenical Christian media network.” Photo: Middle East Council of Churches Dr Marie-Thérèse Kreidi, program director of Télé Lumière - Noursat and representative of the station, said: “The Télé Lumière - Noursat group, which I am honored to represent here, is delighted by this ecclesial media achievement that pleases the Lord and serves His higher purposes, which are also our goals. We are fully prepared to continue, strengthen, and accomplish every joint action that reflects His light before humanity, so they may glorify Him, and together we become His witnesses in Jerusalem, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Caroline Haddad, MECC executive assistant, expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire MECC staff to Dr Abs, saying, “Dr Abs, you have not only built a new culture at the MECC but you have also created a space that encourages dedicated work with a passion for pushing boundaries in every mission we strive to accomplish… Indeed, it has become truly contagious!” Abs then delivered a speech, noting that “this initiative, in addition to the efforts of those working on it, did not come from nowhere. There exists a strong bond between Télé Lumière - Noursat and the Middle East Council of Churches, due to decades of interaction and the shared goal of unified Christian action… Through the documents we intend to produce, which are programmed within a general master plan for Manbar Al Kalima, we will address, from an ecumenical Christian perspective, all phenomena concerning the modern individual, who is influenced by waves of misleading media, diverting them from the righteous path of life.”  Watch the full video of the opening of the production center See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland