July 17, 2006

Mission Leader Calls for Peace Efforts in the Middle East

Mission intern safe in Beirut

NEW YORK (GBGM) -- The head of the United Methodist mission agency called July 14 on the United Nations and the major powers to take quick and decisive action to end the renewed military action in the Middle East.

The Rev. R. Randy Day, chief executive of the General Board of Global Ministries, also called on all parties to end their military operations. He proposed the consideration of a large international peacekeeping operation to shield the combatants from one another.

The appeal came in the wake of extensive Israeli bombing in Lebanon in retaliation to the kidnapping of two Israeli solders by Hezbollah forces operating in southern Lebanon.

"Neither the attacks of Hezbollah on Israel or the Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon can be justified from the perspective of international law or sound political policy," he said.

Day called for prayers for all the people affected, and voiced particular concern for United Methodist missionaries in the region, including one mission intern in Beirut.

The United Methodist Church has five missionaries in Israel/Palestine. All were presumed to be safe on July 14. Ryan Clayburn, the mission intern in Lebanon, was safe but facing hard decisions on whether to remain or try to leave along with many other people. The airport in Beirut was reportedly inoperable following the Israeli bombing on July 13.

Day made a special appeal for the warring parties to respect civilians. "The Israeli, Palestinian, and Lebanese people deserve the right to live in peace and security," he said.

The mission executive asked United Methodists to provide relief assistance to people affected by the renewal of violence in the Middle East. Contributions can be sent to the Middle East Emergency fund #601740 through the Advance for Christ and His Church. The Advance is an official program of The United Methodist Church for voluntary, designated financial giving. One hundred percent of each donation goes to the Advance ministry you choose.

Checks may be written to 'Advance GCFA' with Middle East Emergency fund #601740 in the memo area and placed in collection plates at United Methodist churches, or mailed directly to: Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068, GPO, New York, NY 10087-9068. Credit card donations may be made by calling 888-252-6174. Donations can be made online at http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/donate.cfm?code=601740.

Mission Intern in Beirut Safe as of Friday

As of the afternoon of July 14, Ryan Clayburn, a United Methodist mission intern working in Beirut, was safe in the wake of the Israeli bombing of targets in Lebanon.

Ryan, a native of Poteau, Okla., is on a 15-month assignment with the World Student Christian Federation in its Middle East regional office.

Staff of the General Board of Global Ministries talked with Ryan by telephone and exchanged email with him on July 13. He was also able to email on July 14 but was uncertain how long power would be available. The young man also spoke with his mother and the mission agency is in touch with his family.

Evacuation was made difficult by the virtual destruction of the Beirut airport by Israeli bombers. Ryan reported extensive damage to roads and no prospects to leave by boat because of the Israeli blockade of the harbor.

"Ryan is extremely level-headed," said the Rev. Edith Gleaves, who heads the mission personnel unit of the mission board. "We are very proud of him and the maturity he is showing in a very troubling situation. He is brave and cool."

Ryan and his family are members of the First United Methodist Church in Poteau.

Mission interns spend 15 months in an international assignment and an equal period of time in a US mission placement.

This report came from the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries based in New York City.

TOP OF PAGE