Where we’ve been:
The following is a two-decade timeline of our relevant background experience. This is a bit lengthy. Feel free to read or move on to “What we do”
Summer 1998
Abla took her first official children’s programming training with an American organization, held in Cyprus, entitled Reaching and Teaching children
Spring 1999
Abla studied at Bethlehem Bible College – Bethlehem, Palestine
Fall 1999
Abla moved to Amman, Jordan to begin study at Jordan Theological Seminary
Spring 2000
Brennen’s first trip to the Middle East (/North Africa). A journey to Egypt – Cairo and the Sinai. Numerous meetings with Bedouin families of the Sinai.
Brennen graduated from Southwestern Seminary with a Master of Divinity
August 2001
Abla graduated with Diploma in Biblical Studies from Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary, Amman –Jordan
2002-2004
Abla served West Amman Baptist Church – Jordan, as children’s programming director
Spring 2003
Abla earned advanced office management certificate from Young Women’s Christian Association. Amman – Jordan
Summer 2003
Brennen spent the summer in Iraq and Jordan. Humanitarian activities included distribution of aid to internally displaced Iraqis.
Summer of 2005
Brennen moved to Dohuk, Iraq, joining a team primarily focused on teaching English in conjunction with the university there.
August 2005
Abla graduated with Bachelor of Theology in Christian Education from Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Fall 2005-Summer 2006
Abla worked for Beit Al-liqa children’s program in Beit Jala (next to Bethlehem)
January 2006
Brennen was invited to join an international team in Baghdad teaching English to Iraqis and offering consulting to Iraqi small businesses in coordination with Millennium Relief and Development Services.
Fall 2006
Abla returned to Amman to begin Master’s degree work at JETS
January 2007
Brennen began working for the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Baghdad as Business Development Director. Working with a team of more than 200 Iraqis, in this position Brennen managed several “stabilization” projects funded by the United States government
January 2008
Brennen began working directly for the United States Department of State on the “Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team” focused on economic development in East Baghdad
Summer 2008
Abla served as a trainer for an American-based international children’s ministry in Amman, Jordan
2006 - 2008
Abla worked in translation (written) and interpretation (spoken) (Arabic to English) at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary
Abla served as children’s programming director, Rabiah Baptist Church – Amman, Jordan
August 2008
Abla graduated with Master of Christian Education from Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary
2009
After her Master’s graduation, Abla remained at JETS, developing seminary-level curriculum on principles of teaching
October of 2009
After more than 4 years of life and work in Iraq, Brennen transitioned to a U.S. Department of State job in Afghanistan working among the Pashto people near the border with Pakistan
Summer 2010
Abla began working as a children’s ministry director for Al-Raja Church in Amman
2010-2012
While living and working in Amman, Jordan, Abla worked part time as a Middle East field research assistant for a US-based international children’s ministry (EGM)
August of 2010
Brennen moved to Amman, Jordan and began full-time Arabic language study at the Kelsey Arabic Program. The program required 20 hours/week of classroom study and 20 hours/week of work in a local churches, refugee ministry, etc.
Spring of 2012
Brennen graduated from the Kelsey Arabic Program with honors
Fall of 2012
Brennen and Abla met for the first time, but didn’t have time in their schedules to get to know each other :)
Winter 2012- Summer 2013
Brennen helped several refugees get settled in Louisville, Kentucky
Summer 2013
Abla began authoring two years’ worth of children’s curriculum to be used in churches
Fall 2013
Back in Amman, Brennen and Abla finally have time in their schedules to go on several dates and get to know each other
Brennen briefly took a job in Sulimaniyah, Iraq as program director for an American humanitarian organization…Brennen and Abla used Skype a lot :)
December 2013
Brennen traveled to Amman for a break and told Abla he had quit his job in order to pursue their relationship
January 2014
Abla introduces Brennen to her family in Galilee
After a blessed family meeting, Brennen and Abla decide to get engaged
March 6th, 2014
Brennen and Abla’s formal engagement ceremony at Abla’s family home
June 12th, 2014
Brennen and Abla are married in Nazareth.
2014-2015
Brennen and Abla spend their first year of marriage in Amman, working for two different church ministries
September 2014
The Counsel of Church Leaders in Jordan approved Abla’s curriculum to be used in any church regardless of denomination
October 2014
Kingdom of Jordan’s National Library licensed Abla’s curriculum
Summer 2015
Brennen and Abla move to Jerusalem
Fall 2015
Brennen begins study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
September 2015
Abraham is born at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in East Jerusalem
Summer 2016
Brennen began working for an Israeli-Palestinian-Christian reconciliation ministry
March 2017
Lydia is born at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in East Jerusalem
Spring 2017
Brennen graduates with Master of Arts in Middle East Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Fall 2017
Brennen, Abla, and family transition to Louisville, Kentucky. Brennen begins working at CM.
February 2018
Abla and Lydia travel to Galilee for a visit
July 2018
Phoebe is born in Jeffersonville, Indiana
Summer 2019
Brennen, Abla, and family return to Galilee, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem for several weeks of visiting friends and family
Summer 2020
This Middle East ministry is established, fundraising begins!
Since summer 2020, we have trained more than 250 children’s ministry leaders in the Middle East and equipped them with Holy Bible curriculum for children.