JABOOR, Nasib Murad, Rev, B.A. (1876-1942)
Assembly memorial minute, 1943
The Rev. Nasib Murad Jaboor was born on January 3rd, 1876, at a little place called Joun, on Mount Lebanon, and nine miles from Sidon. His parents were Christians, and belonged to the Presbyterian Church. He received his early education at a local mission school and, later proceeded to the American University of the city of Beirut, where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He became a master of one of the United States Mission Colleges. His knowledge of Arabic— his native tongue—made him a valuable teacher of that language to missionaries and others; and (but this was in later years) he became an examiner in Arabic for the University of Melbourne. He next came, accompanied by Mrs. Jaboor, to Melbourne. This was at the suggestion of his parents and some of his brothers, who had already established themselves in business here.
After a time he opened what promised to be a successful business in Sydney Road, Brunswick. But he had long been conscious of an inward call to the holy ministry, and, after consultation with the Rev. John Crockett, he offered his services to our Church. He did the Theological Course at our Hall, Ormond College (1914-1916). While there engaged, he did Home Missionary work at Taradale and Lang Lang.
At the Hall other students found help and stimulus in Mr. Jaboor's firsthand knowledge of the age-long customs of the Middle East. At the close of his course he received a hearty call from the congregation of Lang Lang, and he was ordained and inducted at Lang Lang on November 6th 1916, being the first minister of that Church Extension Charge.
He was translated to the following charges in succession: —Mooroopna (1919), Spring Vale (1922), and Mordialloc (May 23rd, 1928). In February, 1939, he left with his wife for a trip to England and Scotland and on the return journey visited their home land and Palestine. The outbreak of war compelled them to return sooner than was intended.
On May 31st, 1941, after a strenuous ministry of 13 years, Mr. Jaboor demitted his charge of Mordialloc. He did not give up work, however, but served the Home Mission Committee at Tottenham and the Edithvale-Aspendale Mission. On Sunday, December 6th, 1942, he was riding home from Aspendale after the evening service when he suddenly collapsed and died.
In Mr. Jaboor the Church has lost a very zealous worker. Though rarely seen on the Assembly platform, he was well known among his brother ministers,, whose affection he won by his unassuming and brotherly character. As a pastoral visitor he never spared himself, and he entered with sympathetic understanding into the joys and sorrows of his people. He inspired strong friendship among all classes. His preaching was consistently evangelical. He was indeed felt to be a living testimony to the catholicity of the Christian Church. His sincerity was obvious, and in all his charges he was a “brother beloved. ”
In all his work Mrs. Jaboor took an active, self-denying, sympathetic and prayerful interest. He leaves a widow, three daughters, and a son (Captain William Jaboor), and to these the Assembly tenders its sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male
Occupations
Languages Used
- Language: Arabic. Script: Latin