In the midst of busy schedules, filled with tests,assignments and extracurricular activities, one of the highlights of the academic year at Middle East University is the Week of Spiritual Emphasis, which was held this year during the week of November 12-19, 2011.  This year’s speaker, Pastor Berndt Wolter, who currently teaches theology at the Adventist University of São Paulo (UNASP), challenged students and community members to live an effective life for Jesus.  Throughout the week, Pastor Wolter gave numerous illustrations of how this challenge can become a reality.

Pastor Wolter’s theme for the week was “Life is worth living, but only if it is lived for Jesus.” In keeping with this theme, he opened the week by sharing his first encounter with Jesus.  His initial words were effective in allowing him an opening to share more about God throughout the week.  His very effective method of capturing the audience’s attention with stories and illustrations, followed by a series of challenges, was striking to those who attended.

In addition to his morning and evening presentations, he, along with his wife Margot, made it a point to interact with students and church members, to serve the local church and to visit various points of interest in Lebanon.

By the end of the week, all those who attended were captured by the Pastor Wolter’s experiences and challenged to take a deeper look at their spiritual lives, carrying the message that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

On November 7-9, 2011 Mike M. Lekic, PhD, Associate  Director of Education from the General  Conference; Daniel  Duda, DMin, Director of Education for the Trans-European  Division; Lester  Merklin, DMin, Director of the GC Global Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations and Richard Novlesky, MBA, Treasurer of the Middle East Union gathered as representatives of the Adventist Accreditation Association (AAA), the accrediting body of Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions to evaluate the Masters of Arts degree in Islamic Studies.

Over the course of the visit they met extensively with Middle East University personnel closely associated with the program, including the President, Dr. Leif Hongisto, Academic Dean, Dr. Denny Rumambi, Program Director, Dr. Milan Bajic and Business Manager, Ehab Mouawad, MBA.  Additionally, they evaluated the course offerings and facilities and interviewed students currently enrolled in the program.

After extensive research, they concluded that MEU’s location in the Middle East makes it ideally situated for such a program.  Additionally, they expressed that the program shows a lot of promise and they look forward to exploring new ways to bring more attention and funding to the program.

MEU faculty, staff and students, who are currently involved with this program, were excited to receive full accreditation from AAA for the Masters of Arts in Islamic Studies.  For additional information about this program, please contact Program Director, Milan Bajic, at +961-01-685-800.

Running into a Senior Advisor to a Finnish Politician and Member of the European Parliament is not an everyday occurrence.  Middle East University (MEU) students and
faculty were fortunate to not only “run into” one, but also to listen to a presentation during the University’s bi-weekly assembly on Monday, November, 21, 2011.  The presentation drew on the writings of Seventh-day Adventist writer, Ellen G. White, as they related to
Dr. Kuhalampi’s personal experience.  The presentation was profound and explored topics that are fundamental to building a relationship with God.

Dr. Harri Kuhalampi, Senior Advisor to Hannu Takkula, Finnish Politician and Member of the European Parliament, presented to Faculty Members and Students on the topic of Spirituality.  This topic was fitting because Dr. Kuhalampi is responsible for advising on issues relating to Religious Liberties and Human Rights.

In addition to speaking at the Assembly at MEU, Dr. Kuhalampi also participated in a conference entitled “The Future of Christians in the Middle East” at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

Middle East University was very excited to welcome Dr. Kuhalampi and his wife Erja to Middle East University and to Lebanon, a country that he enthusiastically proclaimed to be extremely beautiful and a well-preserved example of early religious development, which he witnessed through extensive visits to old mosques, churches and ruins throughout Lebanon.