Here's Chris' notes from the eulogy he gave at Nabeel's funeral. I've made sentences in spots so that it is an easier read and in some spots, just left it as is.
Over 15 years ago… It was July 1, 1999. God led my family and I here as Associate Pastor/Minister to Students.
We came about a month earlier for a traditional Southern Baptist Church "Trial Weekend." On Sunday Morning in sunday School (after spending much of Saturday hanging out with students and their parents) we were trying to learn names and faces.
How could we even begin to forget his name! It was no Matt, Mark, Luke or John kind of name... it was Abraham Nabeel El-farrah! There were plenty of other "middle names" that he would tell us as the years went by, but he spared us that initial weekend.
As we walked around the room greeting students, there sat Nabeel. We had met him briefly the day before. He said to me, "I'll be you don't remember my name" as he flashed that nervous smile.
Without skipping a beat, because my wife had just prepped me in the hallway, I said, "good morning Nabeel!"
Something happened that day when I looked him in the eye…and said his name. We just hit it off…just clicked….God was up to something with the two of us.
And it wasn't long.....before I found Nabeel sitting in my office as we had long talks and times of prayer together. Volunteering to help with anything that was needed around the Church
Joy and Mahamad, I know you got tired of hearing about this Chris Guy…and you took a chance to let him hang out with me so much.
We'd listen to movie line quotes….Sometimes he would catch me off guard and it would take me a minute to get that he was quoting a movie….and man would we laugh together….Until the day that God called me to serve in Haiti….we would have those moments weekly …where we would be on-stage leading worship (or some formal situation where we couldn’t laugh out loud) and someone we say something that brought up a move line or a inside joke….and we would just look over at each other….and we both knew that as soon as the meeting or worship service ended…..there was some laughter headed our way…
It wasn't long until.....I saw Nabeel grow in his Faith in Jesus Christ by leaps and bounds…. and I watched as he learned to play the drums. Folks…when we gathered together….this brand new “Praise Band” - Nabeel had but one drum beat…..one….every song that we tried to see if we could play together as a band…..One beat…one rhythm……..It was hilarious…every song …sounded the same…I can describe that beat to you this morning…..LOUD
Steven Curtis Chapman's song “Live Out Loud":
"
Try to keep a bird from singing after
it's soared up in the sky
Give the sun a cloudless day and tell
it not to shine. Think about this
If we really have been given the gift
of life that will never end.
And if we have been filled with living
hope, we're gonna overflow
And if God's love is burning in our
hearts, we're gonna glow.
There's just no way to keep it in. Every corner of creation is a living declaration.
Come join the song we were made to sing."
And....it wasn't long until I Found Nabeel singing all the time… Even though He helped me with Student Ministry (taught SS faithfully…etc.) his passion was worship…..and it sweated out his pores….
God had gifted him to lead others to the throne of grace…..and it brought him the greatest joy.
I met Chris Tomlin several years ago at a youth conference. Bought his book and asked him to sign the front of it as a gift to Nabeel. Chris Tomlin must have had a little twitch as he was signing it because instead of - “Nabeel, Always Worship Him” it read, “Mabeel, Always Worship Him.” I figured Nabeel wouldn’t notice, he'd just be thrilled with the book and Chris Tomlin signing it for him! He looked at it and immediately said "who is Mabeel?
Chris Tomlin writes…..
“Made to Worship”
Before the day
Before the light
Before the world revolved around the sun
God on high
Stepped down into time
And wrote the story of His love for everyone
He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember
You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
When you and I embrace surrender
When you and I choose to believe
Then you and I will see who we were meant to be
All we are
And all we have
Is all a gift from God that we receive
Brought to life
We open up our eyes
To see the majesty and glory of the King
He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember
Even the rocks cry out
Even the heavens shout
At the sound of His Holy name
So let every voice sing out
Let every knee bow down
He is worthy of all our praise
You and I were made to worship!!!!!!"
Nabeel was ready to worship, to sing, to play the drums for his Jesus…..anytime….anywhere.
I remember the time that we took the Youth to WV mission trip. He jumped up front to join a tight laced service "Chris, should I go play my drum to help them out?" I whispered "no, you better not" Well, I guess I mumbled because he jumped right up and in to their 3 piece worship team...
The definition of “Passion” is to be strong and barely controllable emotion. Now, that's not really a word that described Nabeel - "controllable" - he could not hide his love!
He had passion. No one can deny that.
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."
He was passionate about the truth he found in a relationship with Jesus Christ
Singer Songwriter, Rich Mullins wrote:
"I believe in God the Father,
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth.
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord.
And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am.
I did not make it. No it is making me.
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man."
That’s what Nabeel was passionate about….Following Jesus!!!
As many of you know….Nabeel went on several mission trips to Haiti
He loved the people of Haiti….
He loved to serve them and help them…and use the gifts and talents God gave him…in Haiti
They loved him!!! They still ask now as we are living in Haiti, "when is the drummer coming back?"
He loved to sing this in Haiti
"I have decided to Follow Jesus-
Mwen te decide pou suiv le Senye
Mwen te decide pou suiv le Senye
Mwen te decide pou suiv le Senye
Mwen pap tounin, mwen pap tounin
Mwen pap tounin, mwen pap tounin
Non, non mwen pap tounin"
No turning back, no turning back!
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