Timeline
We believe that the Lord planned for an ecumenical Christian education program to be established, and He guided us to build it against all odds. This is what we now call CrossTalk.
We believe that the Lord planned for an ecumenical Christian education program to be established, and He guided us to build it against all odds. This is what we now call CrossTalk.
In 1995, Josette and Ranya, two mothers whose main concern was to provide their children with Christian education in English, went looking for a place in their neighboring parishes. Their search for Christian education classes in English came to no avail until they were led to Saint Francis Friary in Mtayleb. Father Gabriel congratulated them on their efforts and welcomed them to start. When they asked him if they could meet the Father or Brother who will be teaching the kids, he explained: ‘It is my understanding that the teachers are you: the mothers’
Though the mothers doubted their potential in teaching, Father Gabriel encouraged them to do it; he offered them two rooms to use as classes, he put his photocopy machine at their disposal and handed them $100, to buy material for the children. Josette and Ranya grabbed the opportunity and accepted all that he offered them. Their plan was to find someone to take over the task of teaching within a couple of weeks. The mothers themselves started teaching while looking for teachers. However, God’s plan was different.
They could not find anyone else to teach with them for the first few years. They relied on God and with a lot of faith in Him, they took on the responsibility of teaching the children themselves
My thoughts are different than your thoughts;
My ways are different than your ways – Isaiah 55:8
The two mothers start teaching their own three children at the first temporary locale, the Capuchin Friary, Mtayleb. The teachings are based on Roman Catholic books
Word spreads about the classes and the number of children becomes 22 (twenty-two). The mothers seek the Church’s help and Father George Bakouni becomes the spiritual advisor
Mothers of enrolled children start teaching after joining Christian education formation with the spiritual advisor, raising the number of teachers to four
The number of students rises to forty-five. The Christian education program takes on the name ‘CrossTalk’. A library for children, youth and adults starts to take shape
A camp program comes to existence along with Prayer Group and GoodNews (newsletter). CrossTalk, recognizing that its students come from different denominations, changes its teachings and becomes ecumenical
The CrossTalk Day is founded, which is an End-of-Year get together
An ecumenical Board of Advisors is formed consisting of Father Boulos Wehbe, Father Tanios Geagea and Reverend Habib Badr
CrossTalk opens its doors during summer providing its members with a year-round program, which is known today as the Mountain Movers. A fundraising committee is established to help cover the financial needs incurred by CrossTalk’s growth
A Parents’ Bible Study is established, after parents experience the fruits of CrossTalk in their children. A bus service is provided to facilitate the students’ attendance. CrossTalk fails to register at the Ministry of Interior, after refusing to compromise its beliefs, name and mission
A French section is opened. The number of students rises to 230 (two-hundred and thirty). Clubs are established to provide an opportunity for the students to use their talents in harmony with the Lord’s will. Formation for the teachers is established. The Bishops from different denominations meet to guide CrossTalk, namely Bishop Youssef Bechara, George Khodr, Youssef Kallas, Boulos Dahdah, and Reverend Habib Badr
CrossTalk’s mission and ecumenism are recognized by an official joined endorsement from five different denominations, namely the Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. The annual dinner takes place as the first fundraising activity. CrossTalk starts its recycling program, sorting waste to be recycled and encouraging the community to follow a minimum-waste policy. CrossTalk becomes a drop-off point for depositing sorted recyclables
An ecumenical Board of Directors is founded consisting of Father Tony Bou Najem, Father Boulos Wehbe, Father Elias Chataoui and Reverend Habib Badr. A young adults group is established. The ‘Faith through Love’ community outreach program is founded, sharing the Word of God with non-Christians. CrossTalk seeks to employ staff because of its ever-growing responsibilities and tasks
Miraculously and without compromise, CrossTalk is registered in the Ministry of Interior as NGO No. 82/2008. CrossTalk introduces a ten-year curriculum that gets approved by the Bishops
CrossTalk moves its premises for the first time to the Patriarchal College in Rabweh. Three ‘students’ at CrossTalk becomes ‘teachers’ at CrossTalk
CrossTalk’s youth develop a community outreach program known as ‘Give of Yourself to Others’ to give Joy to cancer patients, which led to forming a partnership with CCCL (Children’s Cancer Center Lebanon)
Parents establish the ‘Open Arms’ community outreach program. CrossTalk’s website is created. CrossTalk starts teaching in Hamra at the Saint Francis church premises
CrossTalk starts teaching in Broumana upon insistent demand from the community. CrossTalk is again recognized by additional Christian denominations, the Armenian Orthodox and the Armenian Catholic. Microsoft donates Open Licenses worth $11,304
A catering service is created by the CrossTalk mothers, working hard to sustain CrossTalk financially. For the second time, CrossTalk is required to move its headquarters
CrossTalk launches ‘T H R I V E’, a nightclub event to celebrate music, dance and Joy in a Christian setting and atmosphere. LAU (Lebanese American University) Civic Engagement students begin opting to volunteer at CrossTalk
CrossTalk founder miraculously survives a life-threatening car accident. CrossTalk members realize their individual potential. Their concerted efforts and work prove the strong foundation of CrossTalk
CrossTalk is registered in the United States for tax deductible donations. A committee is formed to work for and to follow up on raising funds for the future locale, the ‘CrossTalk Home’. A group of architects design the ‘CrossTalk Home’ and freely offer their time and expertise. A partnership is formed between CrossTalk and LBCF (Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation)
CrossTalk offers a series of workshops in many regions of Lebanon to train Christian educators. A community outreach literacy program, ‘Faith through Knowledge’ is founded
CrossTalk forms a partnership with LAU (Lebanese American University) for the civic engagement program as a result of CrossTalk’s diverse community outreach projects
An Arabic section is opened. CrossTalk starts teaching in Zahle upon request
CrossTalk starts teaching in Zgharta with the blessing of Monsignor Estephan Frangieh. CrossTalk shifts to online teaching due to Covid
A comprehensive archive of pictures depicting the entire history of CrossTalk is compiled
CrossTalk resumes in-person classes, besides teaching online. CrossTalk starts teaching in Mansouriyeh