Who are the Christian Arabs in Israel?
What is the story of Nazareth Baptist School? Why are people saying, “I never knew this. Tell me more. . . .”
There is one legendary, beloved city in the Holy Land that, for years, has been home to a faithful community of forgotten Christians. Today, more than ever, they are people who need our help.
Even though they are outnumbered two to one by Muslim residents, even though their story is largely unknown around the world, this small group of believers in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth represents one of the most urgent and strategic opportunities to not only keep the Gospel message alive but advance the Lord’s work throughout Nazareth, Israel and the entire Middle East.
The single, greatest source of hope, faith and learning for the small, committed Christians who make their home in Nazareth is Nazareth Baptist School.
The school is home to forgotten Christian Arabs, believers whose families have lived in Palestine for centuries and today in Israel. They have remained in Nazareth and remain faithful to God through years of war, upheaval and ongoing persecution.
First, the good news: Nazareth Baptist School is the only evangelical K-12 school in Israel. Of its 1,000 students, Most are Christian, some are Muslim. All students receive Bible teaching and attend chapel. Every fall, Nazareth Baptist School has a waiting list of 100 children. One young, pregnant woman even registered her child before he was born, because she wanted the best possible school for her son.
Nazareth Baptist School is one of the strongest academic schools in Israel. By the time they graduate, every student is fluent in three languages – Arabic, Hebrew and English – and many go to earn advanced degrees at the country’s top universities.
Since its founding by Southern Baptist missionaries in 1949, hundreds of alumni have become influential teachers, doctors, attorneys, business leaders and parents in Nazareth and throughout Galilee. The school’s born-again graduates serve in key leadership positions in Campus Crusade, Child Evangelism Fellowship the International Bible Society and the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel. Yet, thanks to its great reputation and ongoing impact, the school’s potential — and its needs — have never been greater.
What threatens to disrupt and diminish the school’s impact for the Gospel in Nazareth, Galilee and Israel?
The school has simply outgrown its small, aging campus on a busy corner in downtown Nazareth.
- Classrooms meant to hold 25 often have 35-40 learners.
- The auditorium has room for only 250 folding chairs. The entire student body has never met for worship in one place at one time on the campus, because there simply isn’t room.
- The teachers don’t have adequate space to prepare lessons.
- The only play areas for children are three cement courtyards.
- The school must rent space across the street for its primary students who must cross a busy four lane street every day.
Along with overcrowded, aging facilities, the school lives with a financial reality. In 1991 the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, recognized the school had become self-sufficient and ceased funding the school. This meant the school’s leadership had to be even more prudent and efficient with tuition fees and limited reimbursement from the Israeli government that cover the school’s year-to-year operational costs.
The school simply does not have the money for what’s needed to ensure its survival and train the next 50 years of Christian leaders, and that’s a new campus home.
Botrus Mansour, the school’s general director and a graduate of the school, says, “Our aging physical plant means we risk losing our appeal to local families who will look elsewhere to educate their children, and such declining enrollment would mean jeopardizing our educational and spiritual offerings.”
What is the answer?
If Nazareth Baptist School is to survive, it needs the vision, prayers and generosity of concerned Christians believers everywhere who can partner with the school and build a new campus needed to educate, train and raise up the next generation of Christ’s followers who can be God’s continuing hope and presence in the Middle East.
That’s why pastors, churches and families throughout the U.S. have caught the vision for building a new campus home for Nazareth Baptist School.
Already, Friends of Nazareth, the 501-c-3 non-profit organization for the campaign, has already received commitments of $150,000 toward a $1 million for an option to purchase the land. (The estimated cost for building a new campus home is $17 million.)
School leaders have identified a prime piece of property in the northern part of Nazareth. The important work needed to purchase the land is underway. It is but a first step of a journey to recognize and support a community of forgotten Christians whose school means everything to them.
What if nothing done?
If nothing is done to improve the school’s aging facilities, the school will lose its appeal to parents who will, reluctantly, send their children to other schools. Declining enrollment and diminished revenue would force the school to reduce its course offerings, teachers, thus jeopardizing its accreditation and, most of all, the education and Christian influence for hundreds of young people.
What is the cost of saying “No” to the young students, families and teachers who are doing everything possible to be God’s loving, reconciling presence in Jesus’ hometown and beyond?
When you consider all that Nazareth has given us, shouldn’t we give something back to Nazareth?
How can I make a difference?
Here are seven things you can do – as an individual, church, or group – to tell others and help build a new campus home for Nazareth Baptist School:
1. View the six-minute video that tells their story of the only evangelical K-12 school in Israel, and why the forgotten Christian Arabs in Jesus’ hometown need your help.
2. After watching the video and learning what’s at stake for Christian Arabs in the Holy Land, ask yourself, “Who else needs to hear this story?”
3. Start a conversation among your friends and family, small group, head pastor, mission pastor or others. Encourage them to visit the web site, give them a call, or get together to meet, talk and pray.
4. Brainstorm ideas about how your church would like support Nazareth Baptist School build a new campus home that’s needed to ensure a quality Christian education for its deserving students.
5. Share your ideas, thoughts and questions with Friends of Nazareth: email: info@friendsofnazareth.org, or phone 256-319-2080.
6. Consider a trip to the Holy Land where you can visit the school, meet students, teachers, and see the places Jesus walked and taught in Nazareth, Galilee and Jerusalem. Friends of Nazareth has more details about upcoming trips.
7. Join with concerned churches, individuals and foundations around the world that are making a financial gift to help build a new campus home for Nazareth Baptist School.
Give online, or donate by mail: Friends of Nazareth, 3077 Leeman Ferry Road, Suite A4, Huntsville, AL 35801.
Who are the Christian Arabs in Israel?
By Hanna Katanacho
Rev. Hanna Katanacho Hanna, is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Jerusalem. He holds and M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL) a Th.M. from M.A. from Wheaton College and a B.S. from Bethlehem University.
Some people are surprised by the presence of Christians in Israel and Palestine. They think that all Arabs are Muslims and all Israelis are Jews. In reality, God has preserved his multiethnic and multicultural church in the Holy land during the last 2000 years! Let’s look at the 200,000 Christian Arabs in the Holy Land and unpack their identity in order to better understand their calling.
1. They are Christians
“Christian” is a term full of nuance, especially in the land called Israel or Palestine. These Christians are shaped by radically diverse histories, beliefs and traditions. Betty and Martin Bailey provide four helpful classifications for the Christian family: Eastern Orthodox[i], Oriental Orthodox[ii], Catholic, and Protestant.[iii] The Orthodox branches were dominant until the 18th century when the Greek, Armenian, and Syrian Catholic churches were founded. And thus local Catholic congregations were seen for the first time since the Crusaders. This led to a new missionary era that witnessed the establishment of Catholic and Protestant churches. Since that time Missionaries contributed to creating a growing community of small Arab Evangelical churches and few Messianic congregations. No doubt, the identity of God’s family continues to diversify.
2. They are Palestinians
There are at least two kinds of Palestinians in the Holy Land. The Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza Strip are politically and culturally Palestinians i.e. they seek a Palestinian state in which they are its citizens. Arab Israelis are historically and culturally Palestinians. However, since they are Israeli citizens their political identity and aspirations are different from their Palestinian siblings.
One further comment about the term “Palestinian” is apt. This label is not Arabic. It is etymologically associated with the Philistines who are ethnically and culturally distinct from Palestinians and a genealogical connection can’t be established. However, their similar name, conflict with Israel, and their interest in the same land have led some to incorrectly connect the Philistines as the ancestors of the Palestinians. This misfortunate connection coupled with inaccurate Bible translations in Arabic complicated the way Palestinians view the Old Testament or their identity.3. They are Arabs
The label “Arab” is ancient and it may be associated with some of the following Old Testament figures: Joktan, Ishmael, Keturah, Cush son of Ham, Job, Jethro, Jael, Jether, Queen Sheba, the authors of Proverbs 30 and 31, and the Recabites.[iv] The New Testament also mentions God’s blessings to the Arabs in several places. See for example Acts 2:11 where Arabs are full of the spirit praising God. Indeed, many pre-Islamic Arabic kingdoms had become Christian (for example the Nabateans, Ghassanids, and Lakhmids). Philip the Arab (244-249 A.D.) was the first Roman Emperor to adopt Christianity. This rich Christian tradition dwindled when Islam became the central factor of determining Arabs’ identity. With the upper hand, Muslims and their religious worldviews eventually dominated.
4. They are hoping for fruit
How can these Christians bring true fruit to the region? Christian Arabs must be conversant with their biblical and Christian heritage and must be bold in their future expectations. They need to rebuild the “church of the Arabs,” transcend denominational differences and incarnate their faith.[v] Instead of lamenting the reality of their dwindling numbers they should focus on presenting Christ to Muslims and to Jews, formulating an Arabic gospel that highlights biblical justice as well as the love of God especially to enemies. This love requires confronting several Israeli injustices against Palestinians calling Israelis to follow the path of the gospel and to honor God in all their actions.[vi] It is equally apt to address the oppressive actions of radical Islam. In short, our expression of God’s heart must present Christ as the owner and sustainer of Israel and Palestine and as the means of a healthy coexistence in a pluralistic context. Christ is our hope and he alone can bring true peace with God and with others.
But how can Arab Christians accomplish their mission without godly leaders and proper institutional infra structure? Where do they find proper training that captures the minds and hearts of Arabs in Israel? Thankfully, in response to this need, God has not only raised and sustained schools like Nazareth Baptist School but he continually constructs new bridges for fruitful partnerships with brothers and sisters around the globe. These partnerships are a sign of hope and an answer to many prayers and needs. Therefore, even if the tasks are huge, the political situation is gloomy, and the cries of widows and children are escalating, we will continue to trust in the Lord anticipating the resurrection of the church of the Arabs and the spread of the Kingdom of Christ in his hometown and also in the Middle East. Only his kingship can bring true justice and impeccable peace.5. They need your help
Last, reading several Palestinian Arab Christian biographies remind us that Christ is hungry, thirsty, naked, displaced, sick, and imprisoned (Matt 25:31-46).[vii] The needs of Arab Christians are a great opportunity to serve Christ. Further, if the land in which Christ was born, lived, died, and rose again is emptied of beliers, it would be a great loss to all Christians. It is painful to imagine the town of Nazareth without any Christians (Lord have Mercy!). This is a true danger. Unless, Christians act today, tomorrow Christianity in Israel/Palestine will only be seen in empty churches and archeological sites. There will be dead stones but no living stones. Help us to change the future of the Middle East by keeping the light of Christ in it.
You may ask, “What can I do?” First of all, please pray for the Christians in Israel/Palestine. Second, we want your support. Nazareth Baptist School seeks to create a living testimony for Jesus in his hometown, Nazareth. We have touched the lives of thousands of people (Muslims and Christians) producing many pastors, professionals, and influential leaders in the community.
The school has been honored as one of the best schools in Israel more than once. Its students and teachers have won several academic honors. Yet, the school’s’ effectiveness is becoming harder due to limited, aging facilities and a significant increase in enrollment.
As you consider how you can help, please remember the students, faculty, staff and family of Nazareth Baptist School in your prayers. Pray that the churches in these cities will actively and strategically plan and participate in spreading God’s Kingdom among Palestinians and Israelis; that they will persevere in spreading the Gospel in the face of political or religious persecution.
[i]This is the Byzantine church, the Eastern division of the Roman Empire and the rival of Rome whose capital is Constantinople. It includes the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches.
[ii]This label includes Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Syriac Orthodox churches.
[iii]Betty and J. Martin Bailey, Who Are the Christians in the Middle East? (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), 47.
[iv]Tony Maalouf, Arabs in the Shadow of Israel (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2003), 20-21.
[v]Riad Jarjour, “The Future of Christians in the Arab World,” in Who Are the Christians in the Middle East? By Betty and J. Martin Bailey (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), 20-21.
[vi]For further details about Israeli injustices against the Palestinians, see Gary Burge, Whose Land? Whose Promise: What Christians Are Not Being Told about Israel and the Palestinians (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2003).
[vii]See for example the following biographies and stories. Elias Chacour and David Hazard, Blood Brothers (2d ed.; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Chosen Books, 2003); Elias Chacour and Mary E. Jensen, We Belong to the Land: The Story of a Palestinian Israeli Who Lives for Peace and Reconciliation (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame, 2001); James C. Hefley and Marti Hefley, The Liberated Palestinian: The Anis Shorrosh Story (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor, 1975); Mitri Raheb, Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004); Audeh G. Rantisi and Ralph K. Beebe, Blessed are the Peacemakers: A Palestinian Christian in the Occupied West Bank (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990).