Testimonies that build the hearer but break the teller
June 2014Article 4 in our series: The Ethics of Global Engagement Asking a believer from a non-Christian background to share their experience of God brings a responsibility, says a Middle East writer: to let them tell their story honestly, and to support them in their ongoing discipleship. All too often that isn’t what happens… When I first became a Christian from […]
His Spirit is with us – June 2014
June 2014“When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That’s what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost.” – David Wilkerson, The Cross and the Switchblade Two events gave a fresh and powerful impetus to the disciples of Jesus after their Master had died on the cross. The […]
A president’s inauguration: joy and questions – June 2014
“Tahya Masr,” Arabic for “Long live Egypt” is the phrase I heard repeatedly as I stood in the long lines awaiting to cast my ballot for Egypt’s president. A statement fuelled by hope, driven by patriotism, and unashamedly declaring a clear intention to vote for El-Sisi, who chose “Tahya Masr” as a very clever campaign slogan. Three long election days […]
Relating to people of other faiths
May 2014Article 3 in our series: The Ethics of Global Engagement Five things to avoid in our witness to people of other faiths. A Middle East Christian advises us. The world has gotten smaller. People of other faiths who used to live in faraway places now live next door to us. Ease of transport means more than ever that many of […]
Holy Fire – April 2014
April 2014It is Saturday afternoon. Crowds are waiting, eyes are anticipating, hearts are eager to receive the light or “the Holy Fire” as it has been traditionally called. We are in a place no other than the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem. You can barely find a room for one’s feet to step in. In fact, people seem to be on […]
Reliving the Passion – April 2014
“Ekhristos Anesti!” “Alithos Anesti!” These are words commonly heard in Egyptian Christian circles at this time: “Christ is risen!” we greet one another, “He is risen indeed!” we reply. Happy Easter! It’s a busy time for Christians in Egypt. Coptic Orthodox Christians, who make up about 90 per cent of the Christian population here, spend Passion Week, the last week […]
Watch your footprint – short-term overseas visits
March 2014Article 2 in our series: The Ethics of Global Engagement Short-term opportunities to be part of Christian projects abroad have multiplied in recent years. If carefully considered, they can be hugely beneficial. If not, they can leave damaging footprints on the Church and its community in sensitive countries. Our Middle East writer explains. What lasting impression will our trip leave […]
Mums make history – March 2014
March 2014March 21st is Mother’s Day in Egypt. It’s a big day everywhere in Egypt, marked by fun family gatherings at mum or grandma’s house, gifts, flowers, and songs celebrating mothers on national television. But what is Mother’s Day really all about? Curious about March 21st and where it originated, I dug a little into the history of Mother’s Day in […]