The History of Qewar Family
“Signs and Wonders in Rabbath – Ammon”, the English translation of the Arabic pamphlet, “The Wonderful Occurrence in Amman, 1933”
In Amman, Trans-Jordan, a series of Divine Visitations and supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit were granted to Hanneh Elias Aghaby, wife of Bashara Mutanis Kawar, grandmother of Dahood (David) Kawar (Qewar). These Divine Visitations were witnessed by family and friends alike; who praised and worshiped the greatness of God. Salma, the oldest daughter of Hanneh and Bashara Kawar, experienced a momentous conversion during the first Divine Visitation Hanneh experienced. She later became Majeed Kawar’s wife and David Kawar’s mother. These prophetic utterances and manifestations were recorded in an Arabic pamphlet which is circulated by believers and non-believers in Jordan. Based on the blessing the pamphlet gave to many, Saleem Kawar, Hanneh’s son, Elroy Whitman, neighbor and missionary from Canada, and a governmental clerk translated the Arabic pamphlet into English. Copies are available from the website: www.kawars.com.
Majeed and Salma Kawar, parents of Dahood (David) Kawar (Qewar)
Majeed Kawar, born in the West Bank, escorted his new bride, Salma, to the West bank from Amman, Jordan to raise a family and preach the gospel. Together they planted three churches among the Palestinians and Jewish people. During the 1948 exodus from the West Bank, Majeed moved his family to Zarka, Jordan in the East Bank.
Majeed and Salma conducted Bible studies over the years in their two-room, bamboo home; witnessing miracles that resulted in numerous baptisms and changed lives. In 1950 the first phase of the existing building was completed—two medium sized rooms. Over the years the building expanded three times to its current size, first floor with an enlarged sanctuary, smaller meeting area, baptismal, nursery, restroom and a second floor. The believers were originally known as The Church of Zarka. The Church of Zarka was considered a charitable organization not an organized church.
Dahood (David) and Kalthoum Kawar (Qewar) Conversion
While attending church in Amman with her family, Kalthoum Kawar gave her heart to the Lord. Understanding that Majeed Kawar’s teachings were anointed, she spent much time in Zarka listening to her uncle speak, growing in her faith and witnessing changed lives by the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
In 1970 a great revival occurred at the Church of Zarka. A prophesy was given over Kalthoum which she received with great fervor. She began to minister openly to women and youth in Amman while attending college and working. During this same time, David Qewar moved to Denmark for studies and work; leaving his God and childhood behind in Jordan.
In 1980, through a family arrangement, Kalthoum was married to David Qewar and moved to Denmark with her husband. During the early years of their marriage, the Lord used Kalthoum to bring her husband back to Him and they started a ministry among broken families in Denmark.
Birthing of Jordan’s Evangelical Free Church
In 1984, they accepted God’s Call to return to Jordan to minister in Zarka with his father, Majeed,. Upon their arrival, they lived in Marka, Jordan which is located between Amman and Zarka. They started a Bible study, a women’s meeting and Sunday school in their home, birthing today’s Evangelical Free Church in Marka. During the two years they lived in Marka, they ministered with Majeed in Zarka and then finally moved to Zarka to continue their ministry.
In 1991 David and Kalthoum Qewar, along with other elders in the group, began writing the bylaws which were completed for governmental approval in 2002 to establish the Evangelical Free Church. Although other larger churches are represented in Jordan, the Evangelical Free Church is the only church founded and organized in Jordan.
1992, David was ordained as the first Pastor of the Evangelical Free Church. Christian and Islamic courts have jurisdiction in Jordan. As Pastor, David was the officiator with the signature representing the Evangelical Free Church in the Christian court. In addition, as Pastor, he performed all ceremonies for the thirteen Evangelical Free Churches in Jordan.
David worked to support his family and ministry in administration at the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf which is located in Salt (60 kilometers from Zarka) His twenty-year ministry grew to include four churches in Zarka, Salt, Tatweer (Naqab) and New Zarka Area and home studies throughout the area.
Salt’s Christian community was closed-minded to Biblical teachings regarding a personal relationship with Christ. By God’s grace in their lives, David and Kalthoum held weekly Bible studies. In 1990, they founded the Evangelical Free Church of Salt. Its uniqueness is not only that it is evangelical but also that it has a satellite Sunday school located at the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf.
1995, they established the Evangelical Free Church in the Islamic & Palestinian refugee camp of Tatweer (Naqab). Many families in Tatweer are second/third generations living in the camp. Family members have been imprisoned for just and unjust reasons over the years. Job opportunities are scarce resulting in a community of poverty; people living in despair and hopelessness. The Islamic background is strong so initially, new believers mix Islamic and Christian practices in their worship; however, through continuous Bible studies the Islamic practices are dropped. Currently approximately fifty members are drawing others to the Lord by living their faith.
In 2000, the New Zarka women’s meeting, Sunday school and Bible study meetings resulted in the Evangelical Free Church of New Zarka. In 2005, Kalthoum moved to the community and currently reaches out to the families through her daily activities. Twenty-five active members are working with Kalthoum to touch the families in New Zarka by sharing Christ’s love. Dahood (David) and Kalthoum Kawar (Qewar) Ministry Kalthoum worked with her husband planting churches and developing programs. Their work developed in stages through the years.
- Bible studies & worship in homes then moved to rented halls
- Women then teen and youth meetings—weekly, monthly
- Children & adult Sunday classes, then teen & youth
- Church leaders’ training
- Family, women and youth summer camps
- Charitable projects, i.e. food pantry, used clothing and emergency utility grants
- Biblical tours throughout Jordan
- Day care center consultation
During the years of ministry, David and Kalthoum were well known and respected in Jordan’s church communities, by government officials and the Bedouin sheiks. Families in need not only sought out the Qewars but others referred families to the Qewars for shelter, food or safety. Their home located on the second floor of the church, was open 24 hours to anyone. Many times they were awakened by the tears of those in need and provided them with physical and spiritual comfort. In addition, those seeking books for their studies or leisure reading would come and enjoy the warmth of the Qewar’s home. Their home became known as “The Shelter”, “House of Peace” and “Abu & Um Salam”. Along with their personal home, the Qewars’ used their roof for church and community activities to draw the community closer together. (Note: In the MidEast, the flat roofs are used for family activities.)
