On April 22, 2022, the Upper Room Mission graduated seven entrepreneurs. The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives of the Lund Mission Society, Rev. Dr. Prof. Samuel Rubenson, the Chairman of the Center for Theology and Religious Studies from Lund University and his wife Dr. Inga-Lill; by Dr. Marko Lehtimäki, from Ensimetri, that conducted the training in partnership with the URM; by Dr. Simo Lahtinen, a senior advisor and main supporter of the URM; by Rev. Dr. Maria Leppäkari, the international advisor of the URM; by Bishop Emeritus Dr. Munib Younan; and other prominent figures and leaders from Jerusalem.The graduation has been conducted after the participants had concluded four training modules that included the following topics:• What is entrepreneurial work?• Know your strengths• Business idea and business development• Calculations and pricing• Sales and Marketing• DesigningSpiritual Guidance:In addition to the business aspect of the training, the training also focused on providing spiritual guidance in order to enhance the Christian identity and be the living witness of Jesus Christ in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Among the main religious and spiritual leaders who led the spiritual guidance were Archbishop Atallah Hanna, the Archbishop of Sebastia from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bishop emeritus Munib Younan, the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Previous President of the LWF, Rev. Carrie Ballenger, the ELCA pastor in Jerusalem, Rev. Fursan Zumot, the spiritual leader of the URM, and Rev. Nash’at Felomain from the Bethlehem Bible Society.2nd & 3rd Phases of the Pilot Project:After the graduation, the URM has started the second phase of the pilot project which included providing coaching for the participants in the field of the Israeli taxes and registration of businesses in Israel. Mr. Nizar Baransi, who is a Chartered Certified Accountant, from Baransi & Co. provided coaching in taxation and responded to the questions and concerns of the participants.The third phase of the project which includes the financing of the business plans of the graduates will start in two weeks after the graduates submit their business plans to the URM. A specialized committee will examine the business proposals and provide financial support accordingly.
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