Unlocking Hope Where Hope Was Born
In 2018, during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, members of the church were able to witness firsthand the creativity of DAK students and their works of art, the economic development that comes from job training and cultural heritage preservation, and the empowerment of graduates who were becoming the next generation of creative leaders and peacemakers in the region.
Inspired by this visit, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church reached out to Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb for suggestions on how to support the university and its students. The church launched a “Bethlehem initiative” to institutionalize an ongoing relationship with DAK and contribute to education in the broader Israeli/Palestinian context. This resulted in the creation of a $100,000 endowment for a scholarship in 2020. The scholarship fund is administered by the Presbyterian Foundation for Bright Stars of Bethlehem.
“Hearing student stories, seeing the works of artistic self-expression they’ve created, and praying for their well-being and the well-being of Bethlehem connect us in ways beyond description. It is a blessing. We are grateful and hope to do more.”
–Wes Avram, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor