Sustaining ‘The House of Bread’

The word Bethlehem is translated “House of Bread.” Yet, in this city of more than 25,000, there are people starving spiritually—men, women and children in desperate need of the Bread of Life. One ORU alumnus is answering the call to feed those who hunger and thirst in this historical city.

Fadi Zoughbi, an associate minister at House of Bread Church in Bethlehem, says he has been called to the people of his hometown. Through that calling, he also desired to pursue his post-baccalaureate degree.

After completing bible college, Zoughbi’s father, who was familiar with the ministry of Oral Roberts, encouraged him to apply to ORU. He was accepted to the university, but that was only a small step along Zoughbi’s journey.

When he arrived in Tulsa, Okla. in 2003, he found the scholarship he received was not nearly enough to cover his tuition. He took a part-time job on campus, working and trusting God through school.

“It was a journey of faith. I was always late on payments, but the Lord was always faithful to provide, and I was always able to make the payment.”

Finances were not his only obstacles. With English being his second language, Zoughbi recalls struggling to acclimate to his classes and his surroundings.

“Everything was new to me. It took me some time to adjust to new people and a new method of life. It was not easy at the beginning, but I feel that it was a time to grow in the Lord and grow in his Word.”

His peers, along with his relationship with the Lord, ultimately pulled him through the difficult transition.

“I am glad I had good friends in the class. We were always encouraging each other. And also in the dormitory, I had good friends. We always prayed together and lifted each other up in prayer. So I’m glad for those years.”

In 2005, Zoughbi received his Masters of Arts in Missions. About three years later, he returned to Tulsa to earn his doctorate in ministry.

“I knew that the One who began a good work in us is faithful to accomplish it,” he said. “Therefore when I began this course, I put that goal to finish it and complete it and get it done.”

“I knew that the One who began a good work in us is faithful to accomplish it,” he said. “Therefore when I began this course, I put that goal to finish it and complete it and get it done.”

Zoughbi graduated from ORU in 2011. His journey then led him back to Bethlehem—a city the Arab-Palestinian Christian describes as peaceful, but difficult.

“There has been a huge Christian immigration from Bethlehem, to find a location that would promise them prosperity, peace and a future, because of the political turmoil and the things that have been going on.”

It is because of this turmoil in the land that Zoughbi believes God has brought him to Bethlehem to minister to His children, working alongside his parents and three siblings at House of Bread Church.

“I always had the desire and calling to be here in Bethlehem and to share the light of Christ in our country. I appreciate if God opens any door for me to go and preach His Word anywhere else. But I feel that my main calling is here in the Bethlehem area.”

Zoughbi said Chris Tomlin’s song “God of the City” encourages him as he prays for his country.

“‘You’re the God of this city … Greater things are yet to come. Greater things are still to be done in this city.’ We have a promise from God, and yet we have a responsibility to pray and to intercede on behalf of our nation. So I would also ask believers to pray for our country and especially to pray for Bethlehem.”