Mission Crossroads 19
start a movement for young Palestinians. Let's begin
with a big conference in Arabic where we ask these
questions: How do we live our faith here? How can
we be relevant? How do we love our neighbors and
enemies in a practical way, not just a theoretical
way?" It's an important development. Palestinian
Christians are putting aside theological diferences,
asking the urgent questions, and working together.
How would you hope American Christians
would engage with the Holy Land?
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
Do we take him seriously? If you want to be a
peacemaker on this issue, you have to come here.
You have to meet people. You have to listen to all
the perspectives. You have to see with your own
eyes. After that, you have to make choices. Many
Christians around the world use the phrase from Ps.
122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." What does
it mean? For peace to be here, there must be justice
and equality. It is clear today that there is no justice.
Come and challenge injustice in a spirit of love,
the way Jesus did, the way Paul urges us to do in
Romans 12. But you have to take a stand. It's my
concern that so many Christians around the world
are becoming too nice, too diplomatic, toothless.
Tey tell us to get along, and [they] give money to
both sides. Tat's not what we need. Tat's going to
maintain the occupation.
It was heartwarming when we heard about the
decision of the Presbyterian Church (USA.) in
support of divestment. It is important, not because
it's going to end the occupation, but because it
shows that there are Christians who are refusing
to be only polite. Be on the right side of history.
Tat's my hope for Christians in the world today.
Munther Isaac
with Jewish theologian
Marc Ellis
Syria-Lebanon Partnership Network
Elmarie Parker
elmarie.parker@pcusa.org
Egypt Partnership Network
Steve Gorman
mission.middleeast@pcusa.org
Israel-Palestine Mission Network
theIPMN.org
Ted Settle
tcsettle@verizon.net
Iran Partnership Network
mission.middleeast@pcusa.org
Middle East networks: Get involved in a mission by joining a network
Be bold. We are tired of Christians who won't take
a stand out of fear of ofending the other side. Jesus
ofended many people when he was here. If our
concern is not ofending people, then we cannot
begin to be peacemakers.
What is one thing you want Presbyterian
Americans to know?
Tey can be part of good change. Tey can help
make a diference here. I say that because I believe
in God, in the resurrection. I believe that God
still uses us. It may seem hopeless, but remember
what Jesus said about the mustard seed. Small
steps matter. Small initiatives matter. If that is the
direction the Presbyterian Church feels led to, then
I hope you do it with conviction that the Spirit can
use you to efect change in this part of the world.