Our plan was to attend church every Sunday and take the children to Sunday school. John was 7 years old, Salah was 5 years old, and Kareem was 15 months old. We never realized or imagined that the church is much more than that, and that FPCA would soon become our life.


First there was church school, then came Youth Club and the fun Tuesdays volunteering in the kitchen with other parents. Ten came the children’s choirs and volunteering as bench parents.


First Presbyterian Church members are living God’s love in all kinds of ways. One of them is Afaf Khoury, who has made two medical mission trips to Honduras and has served the church in a wide variety of roles. Here’s her story, in her own words.


God’s plan for us is often totally different from our own. Being part of FPC Allentown has shaped my life and shaped me into who I am today as I continue my faith journey. God’s love to us is abundant, and it’s only right to share God’s love.


My family comes from the city of Tripoli in north Lebanon. My husband Moufid’s family comes from a small town called Rashaya in south Lebanon on Mount Hermon overlooking Tiberius Lake.


We had similar upbringings, even though we grew up far apart. We were both born to Presbyterian parents, studied in Presbyterian missionary schools, and graduated from the American University of Beirut, established by the early Presbyterian missionaries.


We dated for four years and got engaged before my parents and brothers decided to emigrate to the United States.


Soon after we got married and had barely settled down in Lebanon, the civil war broke out. We came to the U.S. briefly. We worshipped at FPCA a few times and were taken by surprise when we heard Rev. Bill Barker praying from the pulpit for the safety of all the Christian brothers and sisters in Lebanon. For the first time I realized that Jesus Christ truly binds us together even when we are thousands of miles apart.


When we decided to settle down in Allentown 30 years ago, after spending 10 years in Saudi Arabia, it was only natural to come to FPCA for worship.


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I was invited to attend a Women’s Circle, and that too became my passion for many years. I still feel a special bond with my Circle women, as I do with the parents I volunteered with.


I’ve been a deacon, trustee, and elder, and since I got off Session, I fell in love with mission, especially focusing on national/international mission. I consider myself a product of Presbyterian mission in Lebanon, and for that reason I have a special love for international mission, not to undermine the importance of local mission.


I was blessed to be part of two medical mission teams to Honduras. Both were life changing.


We went to share God’s love with the least of these, but my life and the lives of most others on the teams of 2013 and 2016 were changed forever. People we served were very poor, walked long distances, and waited in long lines to receive care, yet no one complained. Tey expressed their appreciation and said gracias many times with wide and contagious smiles.


I served on two PNCs. Te first was for Mike Drake and the most recent was for Jack Haberer. I found yet another very special circle of brothers and sisters in service for Christ.


FPCA was a pioneer in embracing the Arabic ministry more than 23 years ago and, more recently, the Chin Burmese ministry.


In fact, in the past years there have been many changes and challenges, but what makes us special at FPCA is the spirit of Christ’s love. We are indeed a true “diverse body of faith committed to living God’s love in the way of Jesus Christ.”


My family and I are blessed to be part of this body of faith.


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