After 9/11 one of our churches held a service where Messianic Jews and Arab Christians hugged each other and prayed for each other. That image is an important one in showing what the gospel can do to tear down ancient hostilities and model the reconciliation that is in Jesus Christ.
Among the Arab-speaking world, there are traditions that date back to the first century after Christ. There are communities of evangelical Christians who have continued to stand firm in their faith through the centuries. There are also Coptic believers who follow the Eastern Orthodox traditions. Many in this tradition have a hard time breaking away from their traditions but some have come to embrace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and attend one of our Arabic-speaking churches.
Our churches and ministry centers minister in love to all Arabic-speaking peoples, no matter what their religious beliefs. In so doing, “we love them until they ask, ‘Why?’” And then we have an open door to tell them about the Jesus who loves them.
We have two Arabic-speaking churches, one in Brooklyn and the other in Jersey City, NJ.
In this section, you can:
View part of the worship team of one of our churches
Read about the Arabic American Friendship Center in Brooklyn
Read about our churches
Untitled Document
Brooklyn Arab American Friendship Center
The Brooklyn Arab American Friendship Center is a place where Arab American families can come to learn ESL (English as a Second Language), develop meaningful friendships, and bridge cross-cultural barriers.
The mission began in September of 2004 to meet the felt needs of the Arab American immigrant community. They teach ESL classes from Mondays through Thursdays during the day and evening. The center also offers assistance in the areas of translation and citizenship papers.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Teach ESL to Arab American women. Dates/Times: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Female volunteers who are mature in their faith are welcome to apply.
Teach ESL to Arab American men and women. Dates/Times: Monday to Thursday, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Male volunteers who are mature in their faith are welcome to apply.
Day care: teach lessons and play games with children from infant to toddler stage. Dates/Times: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Group trips: accompany clients to NYC cultural activities - museums, aquarium, parks. Dates/Times: Fridays and Saturdays, flexible. Volunteer groups are welcome to apply.
Office support: assist with administrative tasks including mailings and fundraising.Dates/Times : Monday to Thursday, flexible.
7722 Fifth Avenue, Second Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Ministry Contact- Fadia Farag
(718) 492-6641 fadiafarag@earthlink.net
Our Arabic Churches
Christ Evangelical Arabic Church: CHURCH NAME: Christ Evangelical Arabic Church ADDRESS: 131 Congress Street Jersey City, NJ 07307 PHONE: (201) 876-2900 or (201) 344-8222 FAX: (201)985-2112 EMAIL:emelika@ucam.net PASTOR/S: Rev. Ehab Melika & Rev Ashraf Melika LOCATION: Jersey City, NJ
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE:
Members: 35 Attendance: 50
FACILITY: We were able to purchase a two-story building in Jersey City. It was formerly a funeral home. We have renovated it to serve as our sanctuary, bookstore, recording studio, and office upstairs. The Sunday school and youth rooms are downstairs. There are two lots on the street that we use for parking.
HISTORY: We began as a small home group that met for prayer and fellowship. We grew and felt God leading us to form a ministry. In 2000 we purchased our current building and began a work among Arab Americans from all walks of life. We have ministered among Copts, Muslims and different Arab people from several nations. We have done many community outreach endeavors, social services and musical concerts. We use the media in Arabic as a tool for reaching the lost. We are part of a network and have helped other Christian groups in the NY Metro area with their church planting and evangelistic efforts.
We have developed a one-year discipleship program with workbooks in Arabic to bring our members to spiritual maturity.
Besides our own church in Jersey City, we currently have 3 small churches in the Middle East. Our pastor travels there a couple of times a year to evangelize, train and encourage.
We are also a member of the Middle East Evangelical Fellowship of America (MEEF) which is a coalition of Arabic churches in the U.S.
Vision/Mission/Values: Our vision is to see Christianity break through the darkness of the Arab mind and to see thousands come to know the Lord and see them mature into healthy ministers and servants of God.
Our Mission is to:
Actively engage in the Great Commission
Plant churches among Arabs and see them grow into healthy missional communities of worship
Unite with other Christian churches and organizations which have a heart for the Arab soul and work together to see transformation in the lives of those lost among them.
Recent Developments: Our pastor recently traveled in the Middle East with the director of the EFCA-IM. They were looking at possible joint ministry initiatives.
This summer we held an evangelistic outreach in Brooklyn along with Pastor Safwat and the Arab Evangelical Church there.
Prayer Requests
Please pray that God will build a strong foundation of ministry in which we will be able to birth many ministers for the gospel.
Pray for protection for the ministry and expansion of the ministry taking place in the Middle East.
Arabic Evangelical Church: CHURCH NAME: Arabic Evangelical Church ADDRESS: 6501 6th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11220 PHONE: (718) 921-9298 EMAIL:safwat_attia@juno.com PASTOR/S: Pastor Safwat Attia LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE:
Members: 15 Attendance: 35
FACILITY: We meet in the building owned by First EFC in Brooklyn. They have graciously given us space for worship and activities for many years.
HISTORY: We were incorporated as the Arabic Bible Church and were welcomed into the EFCA family in 1995. We had a succession of pastors and leadership changes, but have seen more stability in the past several years.
We are in the process of revising our articles of incorporation to reflect the change of name to Arabic Evangelical Church. Several in our congregation are declaring their intention to be members of the church. We also welcome several who attend the local Coptic church but love to fellowship with us and are growing in their understanding of the Lord.
Vision/Mission/Values: Our vision is to see many Arabic-speaking peoples respond to the gospel. We reach out in tangible ways through acts of service, and we continue to be a light that shines for the gospel in Brooklyn.
Several from our church are involved in the Arab American Friendship Center where we offer ESL classes and other relationship-building activities. We welcome volunteers from our family of churches to join us.
