Rev. Dr Imad Haddad is consecrated as Bishop of the ELCJHL in the Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem, 11 January 2026. Photo: ELCJHL/Studio Sami
Rev. Dr Imad Haddad consecrated Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
(LWI) - Sunday 11 January was a historic day at the Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem – the heart of the cradle of Christianity itself – as Rev. Dr Imad Haddad was consecrated as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).
Haddad begins his service as the fifth bishop of the ELCJHL, succeeding Bishop Ibrahim Azar who has retired. A member of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) since 1974, the church stretches across Palestinian territories as well as Jordan, where Haddad himself has until now served as local pastor.
The service in Jerusalem was attended by representatives of LWF member churches and partners from near and far inside the brimful church, including an LWF delegation led by General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, as well as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt, who serves as Chairperson of the LWF German National Committee and LWF Vice-President for Central Western Europe. Many others joined the local Palestinian Christians gathered for the day of prayer and celebration.
Participating in the service – which was preceded by a festive procession in the Old City of Jerusalem, and the beat of drums and music from local boy and girl scouts – were also representatives from a range of other churches and ecumenical partners present in Jerusalem.
‘Leaning on the grace of God’
Delivering his first sermon as ELCJHL Bishop, during the consecration service in the Church of the Redeemer, Haddad emphasized the grace of God as foundational to taking up his new role.
I stand before you, not through any worthiness of my own, but leaning on the grace of God,
Bishop Dr Imad Haddad, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
“Today, I stand before you, not through any worthiness of my own, but leaning on the grace of God, who has redeemed me, called me, freed me, and sent me,” Haddad said. He stressed that “without God I can do nothing, and without the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, none of our efforts, plans, or preparations—whether already written on paper or still being formed—can truly succeed.”
He reflected on the pain of injustice endured by people across the region and beyond in the current moment.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the injustices that plague our land, nor can we forget the pain and sorrow carried in the hearts of all who have suffered and still suffer as a result of human cruelty, hatred, and rejection of one another,” Haddad said. “Yet, in spite of all this, we remain convinced that it is precisely in these dark circumstances that we are called to live in righteousness and holiness,” he noted.
“The Lord calls us again and says: ‘I have chosen you and called you, to send you with a message of salvation, peace, and reconciliation for the world.’ The church, united with Christ through baptism, must hear these words again and live by them ... so that we may truly become people who love mercy, as God has called us to do,” ELCJH Bishop Haddad emphasized.
LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt during the procession into the Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem. Photo: ELCJHL/Studio Sami
During the consecration service of the new ELCJHL leader in the Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem: Bishop Dr Imad Haddad will succeed Bishop Ibrahim Azar who has retired. Photo: ELCJHL/Studio Sami
Called to “share hope against all odds”
Recalling the words of Revelation 21:5: “See, I am making all things new,” LWF General Secretary Burghardt shared words of encouragement and hope for the new bishop even in face of the many challenges of the local context in which the ELCJHL serves, as Haddad now steps into this new role as leader of the church.
“We stand at the beginning of the new year with the hope that in this year God may make things new—that there may be more justice, more peace, and more reconciliation,” she said.
“This is a difficult time to take up a leadership role in the church. Wars, conflicts and suffering around the world continue, including in your own context. Polarization is rising, mistrust, and oppression are part of daily reality in many places. During the past few years, you and the pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land have had to share hope in a situation that so often has seemed entirely hopeless,” Burghardt continued.
Please remember this above all: you do not stand alone.
LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt
“At the same time,” she noted, “there is a saying that ‘There is no better time to be the church than the very time in which we live today.’”
“It is today that you, dear Bishop Imad, and all of us are called to serve the Lord and our neighbor; it is today that we are called to share hope against all odds. We Christians find courage and strength to do this in the midst of darkness when we look toward Jesus Christ,” Burghardt said, emphasizing the importance of the global LWF communion in accompanying and praying with and alongside one another, sharing in each other’s lives and stories.
“Please remember this above all: you do not stand alone. You are not alone in this ministry, you are not alone in this witness, you are not alone in bearing hope when hope seems impossible,” Burghardt urged. “Today and all days, across our worldwide Lutheran communion, which brings together 154 churches and nearly 80 million people, people are and will be praying for you, Bishop Imad, and for the ELCJHL. May you be part of God’s plan to make all things new.”
To mark the occasion, Burghardt presented Bishop Haddad with a gift on behalf of the LWF: a replica of the Lund Cross, as a powerful sign of unity and hope.
