First woman pastor in Lebanon

In Tripoli, a city in northern Lebanon. Here a small community decided to split from the Presbyterian tradition and chose a woman as their pastor.

 Sitting in his car , Rola Sleiman oncoming traffic in the middle of Tripoli on Sunday . The streets looked calm . Despite the presence
of troops in and around the city remind residents on the recent violence that occurred . " We could not go to church last Sunday . Protesters threw petrol bombs at the soldiers from the roof of the church , " said Rola . In the background sounding song ' Heal the World ' from Michael Jackson on the radio .
The 38 -year -old woman is the first female pastor who was officially designated in Lebanon . And he thinks the only one in the Middle East . Since 2005 , he is responsible for all matters relating to the Church Evangelicalism in Tripoli , as part of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon . Rola can undergo the same tasks with a priest who has been ordained , including giving sacrament .
Although Rola realized he paved the way for the women's race , he told me that this opportunity came by accident , when a pastor of his church moved to the United States . " I had the same title with him , majoring in theology , so I decided to take over as interim pastor . Over time , I gained the confidence congregation and they suggested I become their official pastor . 's The key to success my appointment . Know my church congregation personal and trust me . fact that I am a woman not a problem , " he explained .

pave the way

Rola Sleiman was born in Tripoli, his father and mother Lebanese Syrian people. He knew from an early age that he wanted to serve God.

Before becoming a pastor, he worked as an education advisor for 8 years in the Bekaa Valley. His family was not too happy with his career choice. But incredibly, he had the support of the men in his family. "Most parents want something definitive for their children. Parents I do not know what I want to do with this profession. Yet my father ended up being the number one supporter. My older brother who first introduced theology."

And abundant support came from parishioners. "At first, some people objected that he was a woman, but we decided to trust him and give him a chance. Now everyone loved him because he was honest and caring in the church," said Jack, one of the congregation gereja.Memuluskan road 

Sermon in the midst of chaos 

 Despite the security situation continues to worry , Rola oversees a small church consisting of 33 families , many of them have emigrated . Tripoli is Lebanon 's second largest city and is located only 30 kilometers from the Syrian border . Since civil war broke out , Tripoli residents affected by the increasing sectarian violence related to the Syrian conflict .
For Rola , Syria conflict gives an additional burden for small communities that have previously been divided . He tried to be neutral in the conflict , but a lot of people who feel fear . A member of the congregation , a Lebanese - Palestinian woman , refused to give names when asked how violence has impacted the community. " People are afraid to come to Tripoli , " he said .
There are about 20 members of the congregation who came to worship . A great number of by Rola . When the holiday season , the number could reach 80 .
Inspired by the sectarian violence that had just occurred and the city 's cultural mosaic , Rola decided to give a sermon on the theme of reconciliation . Despite the support of the church , he is still not sure to register ordination as a priest , because he believes the change should occur through a consensus . " I do not want to succeed himself . I think the general assembly and church elders to support me to be ordained as a pastor but I am not sure everyone in the community in Lebanon would agree . When my ordination would affect the church and create divisions , I do not want to do it . "