“Not Just in Words, But in Deeds.” An interview with Thimar CEO Dr. Nabil Costa about bridging Lebanon’s educational gaps 

Ghinwa Akiki

November 7, 2025

Education is at the heart of Thimar’s mission to strengthen the witness of the local church in the Middle East and to serve communities holistically — spiritually, intellectually, and socially. We believe that every person is made in the image of God. As such, we seek to ensure that every child, regardless of background or ability, has access to quality learning. Thimar’s Beirut Baptist School (BBS) models inclusive education and trains teachers to adapt to diverse learners, while our SKILD Center supports children with special needs and advocates for an inclusive education system in all of Lebanon. Meanwhile, MERATH, Thimar’s relief and development arm, works through local churches to provide non-formal education opportunities for displaced and vulnerable children. Dar Manhal al Hayat, Thimar’s publishing house, produces resources on topics such as mental health to equip and support the church. 

In a country still recovering from economic collapse, political instability, and years of disrupted schooling, Thimar continues to believe that investing in children and educators is essential to restoring hope and rebuilding society. 

As part of this vision, Thimar, through its leadership role in the Association of Evangelical Schools in Lebanon (AESL), recently helped organize the Second National Education Conference (NEC) under the theme “Bridging the Gap.” The first conference took place in 2019, before Lebanon was hit by multiple crises that deeply impacted the education sector. Evangelicals have long been pioneers in education in Lebanon. Today, by leading such initiatives, Thimar continues this legacy, working to serve the wider educational community.  

This year’s NEC brought together educators, experts, and policymakers to consider what quality and inclusive education mean in today’s Lebanon. 

A couple days before the conference, we spoke with Dr. Nabil Costa, CEO of Thimar and General Secretary of AESL, about “Bridging the Gap” in Lebanon’s education system, the current challenges facing it, and how Thimar’s initiatives are helping shape a more hopeful and inclusive future for the next generation. 

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.