HOLY LAND - Arab and Israeli Christians Join Together to Bring Life and Light to the Holy Land
26/05/05 - displaced Arabs and Israeli soldiers find unity in Christ
Nawal’s parents were forced out of their homes in the Jordan Valley before she was born, as were most of her neighbours in a village near Nazareth. She explained:
“My grandfather was a Christian and always preached forgiveness, but when he returned to view his evacuated former home that he had built as a newly-married man and saw it demolished to make way for a bank, he was very bitter. Shortly afterwards, he died of a stroke.
“My parents didn’t talk about it, but I now understand why they were so angry and so short-tempered with us. However, I have no bitterness: Jesus has freed me from those feelings.”
The day I spoke to Nawal, an Israeli Arab Christian, she was hosting not only the Open Doors team but also a group of Hebrew-speaking, Messianic Jews in her home. We sang praises to God in Arabic, Hebrew, English and, in honour of the Dutch members of our Open Doors team, in Dutch. People from all parts of the world and all social, economic and political sectors stood shoulder to shoulder – one in Christ. I experienced more powerfully than ever before the fragrant anointing oil of the Holy Spirit spoken of in Psalm 133, when brothers dwell together in unity. The joy, peace and presence of the Lord overflowed.
The challenge for these people is carrying that precious anointing back with them into their daily lives. Raphael was being called up as an Israeli army reservist the next day and told us how God has been teaching him to trust and rely on Him in the difficult situations he faces in his military duties. He described some past experiences:
Once on border patrol, he saw legs dangling out of a car door. Was this a terrorist lying in wait or just someone asleep in their car? Another time on border patrol, he went to make himself a cup of coffee and came back to a clamouring crowd. Should he let a whole batch through and run the risk that someone might be a suicide bomber, or should he allow the queue to build up?
Anis, Nawal’s husband and an Arab pastor, was going back for further meetings with Messianic Jewish pastors to try and persuade them to meet and pray together with Christian Arabs. However, questions as to who the land belongs to and human rights issues have become almost insurmountable obstacles to fellowship and unity. Thankfully, Anis remains undaunted in his determination and his quest for reconciliation.
The lives of all members of the ‘House of Light’, run by Nawal and Anis Barhoum, are busy as they minister to the oppressed, the poor and the needy. Drug addicts have found freedom; prisoners have received comfort and supplies; and homeless women and single mothers have received counselling, care and restoration through their ministry.
One very significant part of their ministry is the Kings' Kids projects operating in both Arab and Israeli communities. The projects are part-sponsored by Open Doors. Children are taught in their own language about the love and power of God as expressed in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Last summer Christian Arab and Jewish children went to a summer camp together, and both groups walked through an enormous, red, father-heart of God made out of cardboard. As they did so, they remembered their common access to one Father in heaven who loves each of them equally, their worship of the one Lord and access to the one Holy Spirit who makes them one in Christ. Children such as these are surely the hope for this divided land.
The House of Light also works closely with Lech L’cha ('go forth' in Hebrew), who run a three-month long training course in which students travel throughout Israel to see and learn about places mentioned in the Bible as they also learn doctrine and develop their spiritual growth.
Most of these students have just finished their three years of military service or are about to enter it. This training provides them with invaluable lessons in Christian living, in preparation for what can be a very difficult time for them. Hanna, a young student, says:
“I have learnt how to really live by the Word and not just know it. I have asked Yeshua (Jesus) to help me improve myself. One area God has helped me get over is vanity. He has also helped me get along with people that I would normally just ignore because I find them difficult.
"We also help people in need such as widows and orphans and visit many different types of Christian congregations in Israel. We learn a lot from different kinds of believers.”
The Lech L’cha students visit both Messianic Jewish congregations and Arabic-speaking churches to understand the pressures faced by each and to support and join together in unity with both. This message of reconciliation is at the heart of Open Doors’ support in the region.
Psalm 122:6 says "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" and the Church in this troubled land certainly needs our prayers. Anis and Nawal ask us more than anything, to pray for the Church in the Holy Land and for God’s blessing as Christian Jews and Arabs work, worship and pray together, lighting the way in extending the Kingdom of Peace in that troubled land.
As Salwa, a Christian Arab living in the West Bank says, “This country is very dark, and the light from a single candle is not very bright. But if you bring candles together from all over, it makes a bright light.”
Open Doors supports Christians under pressure throughout the world and is working closely with Messianic Jews and both Palestinian and Israeli Arab Christians by supplying Bibles, providing vocational and pastoral training and fostering reconciliation.
For more information, call Open Doors on 01993 885400, email info@opendoorsuk.org or go to the UK website at www.opendoorsuk.org.
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Open Doors strengthens persecuted Christians in over 45 countries across the world by
1. Training Church leaders and Christian workers
2. Supplying Bibles, hymnals, Sunday School materials and other Christian literature
3. Providing livelihood training and self-help opportunities
4. Visiting, comforting and encouraging those who are suffering
5. Raising awareness of the difficulties persecuted Christians face and mobilising prayer for them throughout the western world.
For other articles/press releases on the Persecuted Church, go to:
http://www.opendoorsuk.org.uk/press/articles/
http://www.opendoorsuk.org.uk/press/releases/
http://www.opendoorsuk.org/media_photos/world_watch_list_pics/html/index.htm