Full Text of Statement by Dr. Gary Burge of Wheaton College of Illinois

Let's be clear.  Helping these Christians is not a luxury.  It is a necessity if we wish to see any Christians in the places of Jesus' life in the next generation.  These are Christians who suffer profound indignities and losses daily -- and  they are leaving the Middle East in droves.  Never has there been a  more pressing time for Christians to stand with Christians in public  support. The ‘Living Stones’ conference in Seattle is a model of what must  happen in cities throughout the United States.  Organized by experts  -- many of whom have lifetime careers devoted to the Middle East --  ‘Living Stones’ will not only inform Christians about the conditions of  the ancient churches of the Holy Land but give practical ideas of what we can do to help.  

Pope Highlights Vocation of Christians in Holy Land
From the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation
The vocation of Christians living in the Holy Land is one of particular importance, for they are builders of justice and peace and represent the living presence of Christ, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope said this today upon receiving in audience prelates from the Conference of Latin Bishops in the Arab Regions (CELRA), led by its president, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Michel Sabbah.

In his talk the Holy Father recalled how their episcopal conference "comprises many different situations in which the faithful, natives of many different countries, often live in small communities within societies chiefly composed of believers from other religions.

This situation, Benedict XVI told the prelates, "represents a serious challenge for your pastoral service and motivates you to strengthen the faith of believers and their sense of fraternal cohesion, so that everyone may experience a hope founded on the certainty that the Lord never abandons those who turn to him."

"It is understandable," the Holy Father continued, "that sometimes circumstances force Christians to leave their country in search of a welcoming nation that enables them to live a better life. Nonetheless, it is necessary to give firm encouragement and support to those who decide to remain faithful to their land, in order to ensure it does not become an archaeological site without an ecclesial life."

To this end, the Pope gave guarantees of his support for the initiatives taken by the bishops "to contribute to creating socio- economic conditions that may help Christians remain in their own countries," and he asked "the entire Church to support such efforts."
Vocation

"As builders of peace and justice, they represent the living presence of Christ who came to reconcile the world with the Father and to bring all his lost children together. Hence the need to reaffirm "The vocation of Christians in your countries is of particular importance," he observed. m and develop true communion and serene and respectful collaboration between Catholics of different rites. This will constitute an eloquent sign for other Christians and for the rest of society."

For Catholics in those lands, "meeting members of other religions, Jews and Muslims, is a daily occurrence," said the Pontiff, noting that "the quality of relations between believers is particularly important, being both a testimony to the one God and a contribution to establishing more fraternal relations between individuals and between the various components of your societies." Another vital factor, he stressed, is "broader mutual knowledge so as to favor ever great respect for human dignity and for equality of rights."

In this context, Benedict XVI expressed his "deep desire" that "authentic religious liberty should be in effect everywhere, and that the right of each person to practice his or her religion, or to change it, should not hindered," because such "is the primordial right of every human being."

The Holy Father asked the prelates to give "priority" attention to helping Christian families, who "face numerous challenges such as religious relativism, materialism and a series of threats to social and moral values." He also praised the efforts of Catholic institutions and religious in the fields of education, healthcare and assistance to the needy.

"I wish to restate my solidarity with those people in your regions who suffer so many forms of violence," the Pope concluded. "You may count on the solidarity of the universal Church. I appeal to the wisdom of all men and women of good will, especially to those who have leadership roles in the life of society, to favor dialogue between the parties, that violence may cease, authentic lasting peace may be created everywhere, and relationships of solidarity and collaboration may be established."

Endorsement from Pastor Jack Sara, Old Jerusalem Alliance Church

I just want to express my endorsement for your very important conference. It comes in a very important time for the Palestinian people, with peace initiatives moving a bit forward, but with the perplexing situation of Gaza, so much awareness and prayer support is needed.

Also, the Palestinian church is in a very critical stage, we just gave our first Palestinian Martyr for the Lord Rami Ayad, who was killed for his faith and witness, the Christians in Gaza are shaken, besides a current threat that is still standing against some of the evangelical ministers in that area.

The Palestinian Church there days needs special attention from the church all over the globe, they feel cut off from the Body, isolated are undermined.

Considering that we are living where it all started, where Jesus lived and was crucified and risen, and where probably a lot of the future events might take place.

If a revival would take place here, it will effect all the world. So, please Church pray for us, lift us up before our Father in heaven, that HE will establish us in this Land, give us grace within our peoples, revive us and give us strength to continue to be witnesses about the REAL PEACE in JESUS and that a lot of people from all backgrounds will come to His saving knowledge and enter his Kingdom. May his Kingdom come in the Holy Land. 

Excerpts of Christmas 2007 Message of Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem
“…..Because God is with us, we remain hopeful in the midst of all the daily difficulties we experience as a result of the occupation and of the insecurity and deprivations that arise from it. God is with us, reminding us that the commandment of love, which was given to us by Jesus, born in Bethlehem, still remains valid for the difficult times in which we are living today: our love for one another and for every man and woman. This love consists in seeing the image of God in every human being, of every religion and nationality.  It is a love that knows how to forgive and, at the same time, to demand all our rights, especially those given by God to each person and to the entire community, such as the gift of life, of dignity, of freedom, and of the land. A love that requires from every one to care for one another.  A love that is dedication and sharing with all who suffer from deprivation and poverty so that the same life, which God has given to all of us, may be lived to the fullest, namely, the “abundant life” that Jesus came to give us.
 “Again this year, we celebrate Christmas still searching for a peace that seems impossible. Nevertheless, we believe that peace is possible.  Palestinians and Israelis are capable of living together in peace, each in their own territory, each enjoying their security, their dignity, and their rights.  But to attain that peace, it is necessary to believe that Israelis and Palestinians are equal in all things, that they have the same rights and the same duties, and that both parties must adopt the ways of God, which are not the ways of violence, whether they be carried out by the State or by extremists. 
  
”The entire region, because of the conflict in the Holy Land, is in turmoil.  In Lebanon, in Iraq, as well as here, the forces of evil seem to have been unleashed and to have decided to pursue their course along paths leading to death, exclusion, and domination. Despite all of this, we believe that God has not abandoned us to all these forces of evil.  The situation beckons every man and woman of good will to enter into the ways of God in order to establish the reign of good among peoples as well as a sense of and a respect for every human being.  We believe that God is good.  He is our Creator and Savior, and he has placed his goodness in the heart of every human being.  Therefore, everyone is capable of working for good and peace on the earth.

“A new peace effort was begun these last few weeks. In order for it to succeed, there must be a firm willingness to make peace.  Until now, there has been no peace, simply because there has been no willingness to make it: “Peace, peace! they say, though there is no peace” (Jer 6, 14).  The strong party, the one with everything in hand, the one who is imposing occupation on the other, has the obligation to see what is just for everyone and to carry it out courageously.”  “O God, with your judgment endow the king,” with your justice endow our governments so that they can govern your people with justice.”  (cf Ps 72).

Statement of Dr. Richard Mouw, President, Fuller Theological Seminary

We all need to be more active in supporting our Christian sisters and brothers in Israel/Palestine…we need gatherings that will both educate us and inspire us about standing with them in their difficult situation.  This important conference is not about ideology – it is about taking seriously our identity as members of the global Body of Jesus Christ.