CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND & MIDDLE EAST

 

In a region torn by war, terror and distrust there has been an overlooked and forgotten, but nonetheless constant vigil for peace for more than 2,000 years - Christians.  These indigenous believers are an endangered minority that have continued from the ancient church, many tracing their heritage back to the day of Pentecost and the early church.  Abandoned by their brethren in the west, they are enduring persecution, hardship and martyrdom with very little hope and even less help.  

 

They are not simply caught in the crossfire. They are under fire.  Because they are mostly Arab, Israel sees them as simply Arab and often treats them as terrorist or sympathizers at best.  Because they are Christians, Muslims see them as pro-West and traitors to the Islamic cause.  The Church in the West, by far, is unaware of their plight.  As Christians they are peaceful and not considered news worthy by the media, resulting in their silent suffering and brutal extinction. 

 

Our Christian Brothers and Sisters in the Holy Land and Middle East are starving. Deprived of basic human rights, dignities and essentials and being killed daily.  Unemployment is the norm compounded by the evils of war, hunger, sickness, poverty and disrespect.

 

The Christian community in the Holy Land and other Middle Eastern countries are as diverse as anywhere: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Charismatic, etc. They feel forgotten and abandoned by the west.  Oppressors and terrorist or hunger and poverty does not ask which church you attend. Christians in the Middle East are simply killed for not denouncing Jesus as their Lord and Savior.   

 

We have shipped multiple forty-foot containers filled with relief goods and organized Christian humanitarian relief missions to conduct major exercises across the region: Israel, Palestine, Jordon, Syria and Egypt.  There are numerous international organizations that bring aid and relief to the Jews and Muslims, but very few offer support to the Christians.  While we minister to the Christians, they are faithful to help their needy Muslims, Jews and Druze neighbors as their Christian witness in their communities. 

 

During the past few months we have shipped goods to support Christians caught in calamity in Egypt and provide goods for relief exercises ministering to Christians fleeing the ravages of the Syrian war.  We cannot disclose details of these missions, but they are ongoing on a quarterly basis, as long as resources last.