24/08/2026
Our very own Abouna Suriel Hanna and Tasoni Val appeared on an engaging episode of Parable Podcast hosted by our very own Tim Giddies and Chris Megaly.
The episode was an honest, joy-filled conversation on service and leadership — what it really means to serve, to lead, and to keep going when it stops feeling rewarding.
From the miraculous story of establishing St Wanas parish — finding a home in five days, miracle after miracle — to the small, hidden acts that carry more weight than any grand sermon, Abouna and Val share decades of lived wisdom on servanthood rooted in Christ rather than in numbers, praise, or ego.
We so often measure success by numbers, by recognition, by results. But what if God isn't after numbers at all — what if He's after hearts? What does it look like to serve when no one is watching, to keep going when the service feels like a burden, and to find joy in other people's growth rather than our own spotlight?
In this episode, they dive into:
• Why the servant matters more than the service
• The miraculous establishment of a new parish, and finding God's hand in the chaos
• What service Christ would do if He walked into your church
• The impact of one faithful servant, and the power of the "little things"
• Serving when you're tired, uninspired, or not being acknowledged
• Handling the obstacles: "I can't be bothered," "people are annoying," "I'm not good enough"
• Delegation, patience, and leading a team the way Christ sent the disciples two by two
• Numbers vs hearts — why quality outweighs quantity in service
• Balancing service with life, work, family, and learning to say no
• Trusting God's timing and discerning His will from our own
Fr Suriel and Val offer a warm, deeply practical reflection on what it means to serve and to lead — not for recognition, but out of love, letting God work through us as the instrument in His hands.
✨ We'd love to hear your thoughts — how do you stay motivated in your own service? Join the conversation in the comments or on Instagram .podcast
🎙️ Welcome Back to the Parable Podcast!In this very special episo...
