It is with great sorrow that American Bible Society announces the passing of Labib Madanat, who served with us as Senior Middle East Advisor since 2012.

Labib was born in 1964 to Jordanian parents ministering in Jerusalem with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. His heritage as an Arab Christian—with a history dating back to the second century—was precious to him, but above all else, he prized his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Labib studied at Mosul University in Iraq from 1981 to 1985, where his heart was broken by the intense violence he witnessed between Muslims during the war with Iran. He shared the gospel boldly among his Muslim classmates, motivated by what he called a simple love for Jesus Christ. In 1991, Labib followed God’s calling to Jerusalem. There, he lived side-by-side with Israeli Jews and learned Hebrew in order to love his neighbor more fully. His commitment to serving both Muslim and Jewish neighbors became a hallmark of his ministry.

In 1993, Labib was asked to serve as the Executive Director of the Palestinian Bible Society. His vision—a future of hope for the Palestinian people—inspired his small team’s motto: “To live and give, to serve and proclaim the Word of God.” Over the next fourteen years, he helped grow the Palestinian Bible Society from just three employees to more than thirty people serving in several centers across East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank. He worked closely with partner organizations, including American Bible Society and United Bible Societies, and formed lifelong friendships with ministry leaders around the world.

In 2008, Labib guided the restructuring of ministry in the Middle East to form three distinct Bible Societies: the Arab Israeli Bible Society, the Bible Society in Israel, and the Palestinian Bible Society. He coordinated ministry efforts for all three Bible Societies until 2017 and continued actively in service to ministry leaders and Bible Society partners in the Middle East and Muslim-majority nations until his passing. He longed to see the church in those places not just survive but flourish through creative Bible ministry, leadership development, and the discipleship of young people.

Since 2012, Labib served with American Bible Society as Senior Middle East Advisor. He shared his wealth of ministry experience freely, building relationships with financial partners and fostering collaboration between ministries in the Middle East. Among his colleagues, Labib was known for his faith, his love for each person at American Bible Society, and his joy in the Lord. His presence among us will be deeply missed.

Labib is survived by his wife and their five children, along with his mother, brother, and numerous family members living in Jordan.

When asked recently to share his favorite Bible verse, Labib responded with two that had been on his heart:

Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe.

Hebrews 12:28 GNT

Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good, and his love is eternal.

Psalm 118:1 GNT

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American Bible Society mourns the loss of our brother in Christ. We thank God for the gift of Labib’s life and ministry. We pray for God’s comfort to surround Labib’s beloved family and friends. And we hold fast to the eternal hope of Jesus Christ, whom Labib loved and served so well, and who has now welcomed this good and faithful servant home.