Jean-Louis Kassis Testimony

Tell me about your life before you were saved. What were the key moments and who were the key people in your life?

I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, into ill health and poverty. My dad took to drink which caused him to be angry and he physically and emotionally abused me. My Godfather also sexually abused me for many years though at the time I thought he was giving me love.

Then my dad started attending the Baptist church and his behaviour changed. He became a deacon and then a Pastor in a church on the Muslim side of Beirut. His change in behaviour confused me. At the outbreak of the civil war in Beirut my dad moved to a church on the Christian side of Beirut; but as the war intensified our home was hit by two bombs causing my dad to lose his hearing. I was very pleased when he left the church.

What happened that led you to Jesus? (Awareness of sin/wrongdoing, the cross, God’s love?)

On 3rd April 1986 I prayed to Jesus and asked Him to come into my life and take away the case against me. The following day the prison door opened, and I said to God, ‘Please I cannot handle any more.’ The captain came to me and told me that I could go home because everything was OK. But he did not give me my documents so I thought he would shoot me in my back and then say I was trying to escape. It wasn’t until I was on the bus that I believed I was really free, and I went straight to the Bible Society bookshop and bought a Bible which is still with me now.

How would you describe the moment when you decided to live for God? What happened?

I was a ball of fire for the Lord

What has happened since giving your life to Jesus? (Key moments? Lifestyle changes?)

My first mission trip was to the borders of Iraq, Syria and Turkey to help the Kurdish people who were running from the war and from Saddam Hussein. Next, I joined the discipleship training school (DTS) with YWAM (Youth with a Mission). During this time, we had a week of forgiveness. It was very hard for me to write down the names of all the people I needed to forgive and then to forgive them. I had to travel for five hours to go and forgive the man who was responsible for my arrest and imprisonment. On my release from prison, I had promised him that one day I would kill him. When a man from the Middle East says such a thing he means it, it is not a joke. So, when I met him, he was very afraid. When I forgave him, it felt like a hundred tons fell from my shoulders. My next difficult task of forgiveness was to forgive my Godfather. I visited his grave I declared before God that I had forgiven him. Finally, I went to my dad and told him how much I loved him and was so sorry that I had been so arrogant. This brought tears to his eyes.

I continued studying with YWAM and God taught me His way for my life and is still teaching me. I came to England with YWAM and then on to minister in Morocco for 5 weeks.

In 1994 I with YWAM was then led to minister in Amsterdam, in the red-light district amongst the sex workers and drug addicts. After further training I became a full-time missionary with YWAM in Beirut. God opened the door for me to minister in a prison in Lebanon for 3 years.

I had been continually giving out with no input to my life and I needed to recharge my batteries. God opened a door for me to return to London for further study for 6 months with YWAM.

How has God been able to use your story to help others?

God opened a door for me to return to London for further study for 6 months with YWAM. I spent the next 3 months on a placement with Teen Challenge. This led to me staying with them for 7 years until I was made redundant because of lack of government funding.

In June 2006 I joined London City Mission and I am working at the Webber Street Centre for the homeless to minister to the needy people who live on the streets, and I also work amongst the Arabic people in London, in the same time visited more than 1500 church’s around UK and Irland to raise funds to our charity.

Personal Profile
Passionate advocate with over 30 years of dedicated experience working with homeless individuals, youth, and addicts. Proven ability to provide care, support, and motivation in challenging environments, with a strong background in counselling and programme management. Multilingual and culturally competent, with a commitment to continuous professional development. I am eager to bring my experience, skills, and passion to a new role where I can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals.

Skills

Counselling and Support
One-on-One Counselling
Group Facilitation
Crisis Intervention
Programme Development and Management
Course Development
Programme Management
Volunteer Coordination
Leadership Counselling and Supervision
Team Leadership
Line Management
Scout Leadership
Multicultural Competence
Cultural Sensitivity · Multilingual Communication (Lebanese, English)
Practical Support and Care
Residential Support
Healthcare Coordination
Addiction Recovery Support
Public Speaking and Advocacy
Fundraising and Awareness
Advocacy
Educational and Training
Teaching
Continuous Learning
Community Outreach
Outreach Work
Youth Engagement
Administrative Skills
Data Management
Organisational Skills

Professional Experience

London City Mission, London, UK Minister of Religion June 2006 – July 2023
Provided one-on-one counselling and support to homeless individuals, drug addicts, alcoholics, and sex workers.
Managed a centre serving approximately 100 individuals daily in Waterloo, London.
Delivered motivational speeches at churches across the UK, raising awareness and funds for the mission’s work.
Youth with A Mission (YWAM) & Teen Challenge, London, UK Senior Staff Member January 1999 – February 2006
Completed Community Counselling School (CCS) and served as a senior staff member at Teen Challenge.
Co-developed and taught life skills courses.
Offered care and practical support in a residential setting to individuals with substance abuse issues, coordinating their healthcare and mentoring them through recovery programmes.
Barking and Dagenham for Youth (DEAL) Voluntary Mentor February 2006 – Present
Prison Ministry, Lebanon Social Worker and Counsellor January 1997 – June 1999
Provided counselling and support to inmates across 21 prisons in Lebanon
Led a small group of young people in a Discipleship Training School (DTS), offering guidance and support.
Various Roles in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey Youth Worker and Counsellor 1992 – 1996
Assisted refugees and supported relief projects with YWAM and Operation Mobilisation.
Completed multiple training programmes in discipleship, leadership, and addictive behaviour counselling.
Scout Leader, Lebanon Scout Leader 1980 – 1992
Led over 180 young scouts, earning the Wood Badge for training.
Assisted local AOG Church with outreach and maintenance.

Education and Qualifications
Manager Level 3 – Barking College, 2011
NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care – Barking College, 2003
Induction/Foundation Level 2 Certificates (Learning Disabilities) – 2005
Community Counselling School (CCS) – YWAM, London, 1999
Addictive Behaviour Counselling School (ABCS) – YWAM, Amsterdam, 1994
School of Frontier Missions (SOFM) – YWAM, Amsterdam, 1993
Discipleship Training School (DTS) – YWAM, London, 1993
Discipleship Training School (DTS) – YWAM, Lebanon, 1992

My Training Profile:

Course Date Organisation Course Description
1 May 2023 Jack Petchey Foundation Outstanding Leader
10 January 2023 The Scout Association Safety Training
2 August 2022 Social Care Wound Care.
20 July 2022 Dalton Health Care HSE First Aid at Work
7 June 2022 Barking and Dagenham Council Volunteering Covid-19
31 May 2022 Social Care Hepatitis
24 April 2022 Thrift wood Scouts Campfire Leaders and Helper
20 April 2022 Social Care Pain Management
4 April 2022 Social Care Latex Allergy
22 March 2022 Social Care Eating Disorders
20 March 2022 International Scout Volunteer Group Application of remote Sensing Technology
4 March 2022 International Scout Volunteer Group History of scouting in Turkey
8 February 2022 International Scout Volunteer Group Anger Management
6 February 2022 International Scout Volunteer Group Running Effective Meetings
1 February 2022 Social Care Depression
31 January 2022 Social Care Alcohol Misuse
12 December 2021 International Scout Volunteer Group Positive Psychology to implement at Workplace
9 December 2021 Social Care Assessing Needs
2 December 2021 Social Care Sleep
21 November 2021 International Scout Volunteer Group Executive Member
6 July 2021 Social Care Needle stick injury
28 May 2021 Barking & Dagenham Council & NHS Recognition of Participation in the NHS Covid 19 Vaccination Program
20 May 2021 Barking & Dagenham Council ICT & Cyber Security
20 May 2021 Barking & Dagenham Council Data Protection
13 May 2021 Barking & Dagenham Council Sexual Orientation
13 May 2021 Barking & Dagenham Council Mental Health Awareness
13 May 2021 Barking & Dagenham Council Introduction to Equalities
5 May 2021 The Scout Association Essential Information Training (Module 1)
6 April 2021 Social Care Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
6 March 2021 The Scout Association Managers and Supporters
21 February 2021 The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition Supervisors Training
16 February 2021 Social Care Disaster Planning
6 February 2021 The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Introduction to the D of E
22 December 2020 Social Care COVID-19
1 December 2020 Social Care Depression
1 November 2020 Social Care Hepatitis
3 September 2020 Social Care Panic Attacks
25 August 2020 Social Care Needle stick injury
21 August 2020 CPD College Covid-19 Awareness
15 July 2020 Social Care Skin Care 2
7 June 2020 The Scout Association Wood Badge / Assistant Section Leader
3 June 2020 Scouts Safeguarding
6 June 2020 Scouts Jota Joti Jamboree
3 June 2020 Social Care Anxiety
5 May 2020 Social Care Hand Hygiene Training
21 April 2020 Social Care Stress Management
5 December 2019 Princess Alexandra Hospital, Hospital Chaplaincy
7 September 2019 Arrows Introduction to Arrows Course
5 August 2019 The Scout Association Wood Badge / Section Leader
26-28 July 2019 European Syriac Scouts 1 Syriac Scouts Jamboree
13 July 2019 Greater London Middlesex West Modules 16 & 17
9 June 2019 Scout & St John Ambulance First Aid Skills Workshop
4 May 2019 Bush Scout UK Modules 17 and 18
3 April 2019 Social Care Stroke
25 March 2019 Highfield Level 2 Award in Food and Safety
6 March 2019 Social Care Skin Care 1
17 February 2019 Bush Scout UK H & S, R A, Throwing Tomahawks & Hawks
9 February 2019 Social Care Blood borne Pathogens
30 January 2019 Skill Base First Aid at Work
19 August 2018 The National Small-Bore Rifle Association Diploma in Coaching Scheme Tutors & Instructors
7 September 2017 NFPS LTD Conflict Management Master Class
16 June 2016 Life Canter Appreciation Honour
27 February 2016 Lebanese Syriac Scouts Golden Honour
12 February 2016 PULSE FIRST AID LTD QA Level 3 in First Aid at Work Training Course
20 January 2016 Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering
28-10 till 1- 11-2013 International Substance Abuse & Addiction Coalition Substance Abuse Training
10-11 January 2013 A.F.C.C First Aid at Work Training Course
13 September 2012 10 Downing Street Prime Minister David Cameron
September 2012 Team Heathrow Team Heathrow Volunteer
September 2012 London 2012 More than Gold
20 May 2012 Department for Transport General Security Awareness Training
31 January 2012 Chartered Management Institute Associate
28 September 2011 Chartered Management Institute & Barking College CMI Level 3 Diploma in First Line Management (QCF)
26 November 2010 London City Mission Conflict Avoidance Training Day
16 June 2010 N.C.F.E & Barking College Level 1 Award in Creative Craft Using Construction Crafts
25, 27 January 2010 London City Mission First Aid at Work Training Course
19 January 2010 The Homelessness Training Unit An Interdiction to Schizophrenia
24 June 2009 London City Mission Power Point
13 May 2009 Community Care Attended Community Care Live
30-31 March 2009 London City Mission Restraint and Removal Training Course
20 March 2009 London City Mission Basic Food Hygiene Course
4 May 2008 London City Mission Commissioning Service
17 April 2008 London City Mission Trauma
9 April 2008 London City Mission Drug Awareness
4 January 2008 O C R Web Page Creation
28 November 2007 London city mission Child Protection Course
26 September 2007 London City Mission Health and Safety
January 2007 Adult College Entry Level In Adult Literacy
30-31 January 2007 London City Mission Tow days First Aid at Work Course
5-6 February 2007 London City Mission Tow days First Aid at Work Course
November 2006 London City Mission Health and safety
29 November 2006 London City Mission Child Protection Course
15 November 2006 London City Mission Conflict Avoidance Training Day
15-20 October 2006 International Substance Abuse & Addiction Coalition Substance Abuse Training
June 2006 University of Cambridge ESOL Skills for life- Level Certificate Speaking & listening Level 1
June 2006 University of Cambridge ESOL Skills for life Unit Certificate / Writing
20 April 2006 WDP Woman & Drugs
21-22 March 2006 DANOS Education & Training in Motivational Interviewing
September 2005 Barking College Induction/Foundation Level 2 Certificate in Working With People Who Have Learning Disabilities (LDAF)
17- September 2004 Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Foundation Certificate in Health & Safety in The Work place
June 2004 Barking College NVQ Level 3 In Care
19 June 2004 Association Of Christian Counsellors The Trauma Of Rape & Sexual Abuse
27 May 2004 The London Borough Of Barking & Dagenham Volunteer Mentor Initial Training
25 March 2004 Teen Challenge London Basic Manual Handling
6 March 2004 Association Of Christian Counsellors Counselling Survivors Of Rape & Sexual Abuse
30 January 1 February 2004 Association Of Christian Counsellors Burdened Or Carried
1 July 2003 Freeway Basic Drug Awareness
11-15 May 2003 International Substance Abuse & Addiction Coalition Substance Abuse Training
14-15 May 2003 FICM Freedom In Christ Ministry Helping Hurting People
22 March 2003 Association Of Christian Counsellors What Is Love, Marriage & Divorce
March 2002 OCR Internet Technologies Stage 1
4 January 2002 St John Ambulance Emergency Aid In The Workplace Appointed Person
December 2001 The Royal Society For The Promotion Health Food Hygiene Certificate.
July 2001 OCR Computer Literacy & Information Technology Stage.
16 June 2001 Association Of Christian Counsellors Stress Cause Effects & Management.
19 May 2001 Association Of Christian Counsellors The Circle Of God’s Love.
3 April 2001 Awarding body Consortium ABC Word Processing Stage 1.
8-9 February 2001 Barnabas Training Consortium. Counsellor Supervision Course Grade 1.
2-4 February 2000 Association Of Christian Counsellors Choose Life Conference.
12 October 2000 Association Of Christian Counsellors Counselling couples in Strife.
26 June 5 August 2000 Teen Challenge International Leadership Training Institute.
15 July 2000 Turning Point Living Free Course.
3 June 2000 Association Of Christian Counsellors Anger.
10-13 may 2000 Freedom In Christ Living Free In Christ Course.
March to May 2000 City Gates Christian Centre The Alpha Course/ Staff.
8 January 2000 City Gates Christian Centre Worship Lifestyle Course.
December 1999 CGCC City Gates Christian Centre The Alpha Course.
29 August 1 September 1999 International Substance Abuse & Addiction Coalition. Substance Abuse Training – Canterbury.
7 July 1999 Ilford Elim Church Partnership Course.
1 April 30 June 1999 Teen Challenge London Senior Staff.
29 June 1999 Youth With A Mission & University of the Nation Community Counselling School.
May –June 1999 Kings Communications Introduction To Christian Counselling.
April 1999 Kings Communications Family Dynamics & Counselling Children Course.
20 March 1999 Kings Communications Growing Through Loss & Grief Training Course & Workshop.
18-18 March 1999 Kings Communications Counselling Those Who Have Been Abused Training Course.
21-22 January 1999 Kings Communications Co-Dependency & Dysfunction In Families Training Course.
9 December 1994 Youth With A Mission & University of the Nation School Of Frontier Mission.
17 June 1994 Youth With A Mission & University Of the Nation Addictive Behaviour Counselling School.
4 March 1994 Youth With A Mission & University Of the Nation Arabic/ English Discipleship Training School & Basic Leadership School.
31 May 1992 Youth With A Mission & University of the Nation Discipleship Training School.
14-18 August 1991 Scout De Liban Wood Badge.
December 1989 International Correspondence Institute When You Pray.
October 1989 International Correspondence Institute Your Helpful Friend.
September 1989 International Correspondence Institute The Church.
June 1989 International Correspondence Institute We Believe.
June 1989 International Correspondence Institute Your New Life.
June 1989 International Correspondence Institute Your Bible.

Many Blessings

Jean-Louis Kassis

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