Mission Crossroads is a three-time-a-year magazine focused on worldwide work of the PC(USA). It offers news and feature stories about mission personnel, international partners and grassroots Presbyterians involved in God's mission in the world.
Issue link: https://missioncrossroads.epubxp.com/i/491857
Mission Crossroads 11 shows dealing with many diferent topics often include women and Christians as guests! Without planning it the church has become an integral part of Egyptian society in a way we could never have dreamed of ! The church on the cutting edge Churches near places where violence took place between demonstrators and police opened their facilities as "feld clinics" to serve the wounded. Kasr El Doubara Presbyterian Church being located right of Tahrir Square (the epicenter of the revolution) was a pioneer in this feld and got the attention and admiration of the whole nation for this courageous and loving ministry. Te Bible Society of Egypt had a two-year campaign titled "Rebuild Egypt" with banners, ads in newspapers, and Scripture selections, all pointing to the Bible as a source of principles which uphold the noble aspirations of the revolution for freedom, social justice, and human dignity. Christians in a variety of social ministries have been able to make their services known through the much greater exposure now accessible to them, and thus impact a much broader sector of society. Some groups have been successful in hosting friendly yet frank interfaith dialogue between leaders of the two religions. Future challenges In the early days of the revolution, Egyptians genuinely believed that a new era of complete openness and democracy was being ushered in. But, they soon saw this newfound freedom exploited and eventually hijacked by the Islamists' theocratic plans. "Te Islamists climbed to power on the ladder of democracy and then pulled up the ladder with them." On June 30, 2013, Egyptians went to the streets in unprecedented numbers calling for Morsi's removal. When he stubbornly refused to accept the will of the majority of Egyptians, the Army implemented the people's wish. In the national elections that followed, the overwhelming popularity of Al-Sisi meant that Egypt now has a president who has been voted in by the vast majority of Egyptians, unlike Morsi who only had a slim majority of the votes. Te Islamists responded, and continue to respond, violently to their removal. Keeping Egypt free from the Islamists has been at the expense of the newly acquired human rights. Politically sensitive folks fear that the present suspension of many human rights may lead to a return to some form of totalitarianism, thus crushing the Revolutionaries' dream of a truly democratic Egypt. Many Christians, however, pleased with their newfound "freedoms," welcome this crushing of the Islamists uncritically. Tis seemingly unconditional support of the government's war on extremism may prove to be a costly mistake for Christians in the long run—one that may tarnish the church's witness and weaken its ability to promote social justice. Egypt needs your prayers so that its political leaders will fnd a way to keep at bay the Islamists without completely abrogating human rights. Christian leaders need your prayers so that they hold frmly to biblical principles and not sell out to political pragmatism. It's a tough balance that only God can provide! Ramez Atallah is general director of the Bible Society of Egypt. 1919 Synod of the Nile takes up the challenge to build a permanent structure to house the theological seminary in Cairo. A plot of land is purchased in Abbassia, Cairo. In 1926 Mission transfers responsibility for theological education to Synod of the Nile. 1939 WWII begins. Mission personnel are evacuated, but return in fewer numbers in 1945. 1948 US government recognizes the establishment of the state of Israel in Palestine. Presbyterian missionaries question the decision as unjust for the indigenous population of Palestine, and protest the US government's action. 1950 The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) is established. It addresses social and cultural development, individual well-being, social justice and, intercultural harmony. 1960 s The responsibility for the total mission program is assumed by Synod of the Nile. Presbytery of Egypt, 1892