Unique Challenges Facing Holy Land Arab Churches

The Association of Baptist Churches in Israel (ABC) is a vital and dynamic network that champions evangelical faith, fosters unity among its member churches, and actively engages with the broader community to promote understanding and goodwill. With 18 churches, it is the largest network of evangelical churches in the country. Through its many activities and steadfast commitment to its mission, the ABC continues to play a significant role in the spiritual and social landscape in Israel.

I invited the Executive Director, Rani Saba , to join the Unconventional Ministry Podcast to share more about this church network. Rani Saba holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Haifa University and a Master’s in Christian Ministry from Nazareth Evangelical College. He has been the Director of Administrative Affairs at Nazareth Village since 2003.

Listen now to podcast conversation with Rani Saba!

From listening to the podcast conversation, you will realize there are unique challenges the Israeli Palestinian Christians (Arab-Israeli Christians) community faces. Here are some of their unique challenges:

• Arab Christians often navigate complex identities, balancing their Arab heritage, Christian faith, and national citizenship, which can create tensions within and outside their communities.
• There is a need to develop local leadership that is attuned to the unique cultural and theological context of Arab Christians and capable of addressing contemporary challenges. Arab Christians in Israel and Palestine are the minority of the minority.
• Economic reliance on tourism and pilgrimages, which can be disrupted by regional instability, further exacerbates financial vulnerabilities.
• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict creates instability and division, impacting the day-to-day lives and security of Arab Christian communities.
• Many young Arab Christians emigrate in search of better economic opportunities and security, leading to declining congregations and weakening community structures.
• The decreasing number of Christians in the Holy Land threatens the continuity of local traditions and the preservation of their historical presence.
• Many Arab Christian communities face economic challenges due to limited access to employment and resources, especially in areas affected by political conflict and isolation.
• Many Arab churches have difficulty accessing adequate resources and institutional support for religious education, community programs, and church facilities.
• Building and maintaining connections with the global Christian community for support and solidarity is vital but often complicated by geographical and political barriers.

Some additional Holy Land resources:

1. Association of Baptist Churches in Israel is the home mission and umbrella for Baptist Churches in Israel, the largest network of evangelical churches in the country, with 18 churches, 1000 baptized members, and a community of 3000 people.?ABC’s mission is to support churches in every way possible. We do this by providing resources to churches. We build specialized ministries for youth, women, and children to serve all churches. The association engages all talents available to build spiritual, social, and educational ministries to expand the Kingdom of God in Israel and beyond.
2. Bethlehem Bible College - A Palestinian Christian Evangelical university college that works in the service of, with, and through the Palestinian community and aims to prepare potential leaders in Palestine and the world and participate in promoting Palestinian Christian theology locally and internationally.
3. Nazareth Evangelical College trains leaders, men, and women, to follow Christ faithfully and to be equipped and qualified to serve the church in the Holy Land, enabling her to have a powerful?influence on society according to God’s purposes.
4. The broadcast media ministry SAT-7 wants people in every corner of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ in their own language and make their own response to it. They share the Gospel with millions of viewers every day through satellite television and digital media, overcoming the challenges of illiteracy, accessibility, and restrictions on religious freedom in the region. SAT-7 content is produced by and for the people of the MENA and is relevant for people of all ages and backgrounds.