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.
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L I G H T I N G T H E PA T H | Terri Bate 8 Spring 2015 Middle Eastern Christians call us to deeper partnership By Terri Bate Two cemeteries in Egypt are the fnal resting places for Presbyterian missionaries who dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel in that country. One is in the capital city of Cairo and the other is in Assiut, a city on the edge of the desert about six hours by train from Cairo. Te graves are well cared for by members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt as an ongoing show of respect for the contributions of their spiritual forebears. Te gospel these missionaries shared and the church they nurtured live on. In this season of Eastertide, we look to Christ's resurrection as a powerful reminder that God's love will never perish: it will always ofer us hope and the promise of new life. As the apostle Paul says, "Terefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). I am impressed by the historic witness of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt and the newness of life it continues to experience. For many years this strong church has been led by committed Egyptian leaders. Teir journey has not been easy, but in the future they see unprecedented opportunities in changing circumstances, fewer restrictions, and more doors opening to ministry. In Egypt and across the Middle East, Presbyterian World Mission has an enormous opportunity to support the steadfast witness of the region's Christians. We have long-standing relationships with the Protestant communions in the Middle East as well as with Orthodox churches and other Christian groups. Our mission co-workers who serve in the region know the local languages and cultures, and work efectively alongside our partners. Despite unspeakable hardships Middle Eastern Christians remain faithful. You'll fnd them caring for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, educating preschool children in Iraq, and working for peace in Palestine and Israel. In many places, Christian communities trace their spiritual heritage directly to the preaching of one of the apostles. Beginning in the 19th century, Presbyterians added their voices to the Christian witness in the Middle East by planting churches, starting hospitals, and founding schools. In recent years, however, war, persecution, and economic distress have caused many Christians to leave the region. Te Christian population in the Middle East has shrunk from 20 percent a century ago to 5 percent today. I am excited by our opportunity to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in the Middle East. Presbyterians in Egypt are inviting us to step up our involvement with them as they enter the new day they see dawning. Other Middle Eastern partners are asking us to accompany them in new and creative ways as they face extremely challenging circumstances. I urge you to participate in these partnerships through your praying and giving. Whatever the future holds, hope will always abound in the Middle East and around the world. For this we can thank a loving God who 2,000 years ago became fesh and visited the Middle East. It was there Jesus lived, died, and rose again. Let us forget neither the cradle of our faith nor the foundation of our hope. Terri Bate is senior director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Funds Development Ministry. Contact her at terri.bate@pcusa.org