Lebanon

Cornwall has had trading and cultural links with Lebanon (ancient land of the Phoenicians) since way back beyond 1000BC.

Lebanon is also unique in a Middle East context in not having one dominant majority religion. There is a relative balance of Christians and Muslims in the population and, within the Christian segment, a wide range of denominations including Orthodox, Catholic (Maronite), Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal.

As Britain transitions from a Christian majority to a multi-faith setting, Lebanese church experience could be helpful for us.

In recent years the churches in Lebanon have also had the challenge of responding to the large influx of mainly Muslim refugees from Syria – a country which had invaded Lebanon in 1976 and occupied it for nearly 30 years – the generosity of the churches’ response in welcoming the stranger has greatly enhanced their reputation and also led to significant church growth.