Bishop Michael wrote:

"It seems to me, while reflecting on my first and recent visit to Syria, that the road to Damascus still has an amazing ability to open minds and hearts in much the same way as it did for St. Paul, nearly 2000 years ago. Indeed, my whole visit to Syria in September 2003, was an eye-opening experience. It enriched my faith and it opened my eyes, as a westerner, to another culture and a different world-view.

Huda Nassar, the Revd Dr Habib Badr, Dr Mary Michael (President of NEST), Bishop Michael Marshall, Dr George Sabra (Dean of NEST), Dr Ketty Sarouphim and the Revd Nadim Nassar

I soon came to see that hospitality and an open house are at the root of Syrian culture in ways long forgotten or submerged in the West. Syrian culture is largely free from the curse of individualistic consumerism, which has extensively robbed the western world of community and family life.

My visits to Aleppo and, especially to Damascus, opened for me an ancient story, rich in art and culture, long before any similar advances had been made in Western Europe - likewise my visit to the remarkable museum in Damascus. I shall long remember the Citadel City in Aleppo as well as my visit to the ruins of the ancient Monastery of St. Simeon Stylites."

Bishop Michael Marshall and Dr. George Sabra

In his visit to Lebanon, Bishop Michael met the Dean and the President of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) to discuss TFCC's mission. Bishop Michael, as the president of TFCC, and Revd Nadim Nassar, as TFCC Director, opened a dialogue with NEST to work together in the future.

The Revd Adeeb Awad, Revd Nadim Nassar, Revd Joseph Kassab, Mrs Nejla Kassab, Bishop Michael Marshall, Revd Ma'an Bittar, and Revd Suheil Saoud

Bishop Michael also met the Executive Board of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, and discussed TFCC's ministry with them. They supported TFCC's mission and agreed to collaborate with TFCC.

Bishop Michael preaching