American churches and denominations reach out to North Africa and the Middle East to offer help, hope and a handshake.
By Ronald E. Keener
J. Martin Bailey and Betty Jane Bailey have been closely involved with their denomination, the United Church of Christ, for years in missions work throughout the Middle East, most frequently visiting Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus and Turkey.
They take a turn to Sri Lanka too, when they can, where they have a daughter and her husband, and two grandchildren living there.
They are about as knowledgeable as two people can be about the Middle East, very much in turmoil now, and they have recently published the second edition of Who Are the Christians in the Middle East? (Eerdmans, 2010).
Though 
technically retired, no one has apparently told them. They maintain close working relations with the Disciples of Christ, Roman Catholics, Quakers, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mennonites, United Methodists, and other groups. They are deeply involved with Churches for Middle East Peace and have participated in Evangelicals for Middle East
Understanding. They are active supporters of the cross cultural program of their seminary, Eden Theological Seminary, where they both are alums. For three and a half years, they worked with the Middle East Council of Churches as volunteers, living in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
They were very generous with their time and interest when Church Executive asked them to talk about their book and about the Middle East conflicts, that evolve daily and weekly, especially with the six-week lead time this magazine has.
The Middle East is never stable, but right now there is again unrest throughout the region; what do you think that means for the Christian church there?
Churches in the Middle East are regularly rising to the challenge of current events. The Greek Catholic (Melkite) Church in Syria, for example, with the support of U.S. churches through Church World Service, has played a leading role in resettling refugees from Iraq. The largest numbers of Iraqi refugees have found a haven in Syria. The long-time ecumenical relations between a number of U.S. Protestant and Catholic organizations and the Greek Patriarchate of Damascus made this activity possible immediately after the Iraq war broke out and refugees began leaving their homeland.
This activity was possible immediately after the Iraq war broke out and refugees began leaving, because of the long-time ecumenical relations between a number of U.S. Protestant and Catholic organizations and the Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Damascus.
What progress has Christianity made in the Middle East since your first edition came out in 2003?
The most dramatic progress has been in the southern part of Sudan, where hundreds of new churches have been established and many persons have identified themselves as Christian. This is an area where local Anglicans and Presbyterians have reached out to animists and others. The locally organized denominations, including 22 new Episcopal dioceses, have grown rapidly, with some help and support from western churches and medical staff.
In addition, most denominations now have locally trained pastors and have selected bishops. Within the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches, centered in Beirut, Lebanon, women have been recognized in leadership roles and the first female clergyperson was expected to be ordained soon. At the Near East School of Theology, also in Beirut, the current president is a woman from Syria who studied in the U.S.
Urgent humanitarian needs, caused by natural disasters and continuing warfare, have provided the occasion for Christian witness and collaboration with local Muslims.
What approach do Christians have to take to show Christ to Muslims?
The most important way American Christians can show Christ to Muslims is through solidarity in the struggle for justice and liberty. When they ask, “Why are you taking risks like this?” the answer is that “I follow Jesus, who wants justice and freedom for all people.” Dialogue, rather than foreign claims or answering questions that have not been asked, is the only effective form or witness in our time.
A church here in the Phoenix area is sending 22 people to the region to begin evangelizing there, people who will live and work there. (See following sidebar.) What would you advise anyone like them as they reach out to Muslims?
When Christians, today, demonstrate their faith through acts of love and solidarity they are more convincing than any words. The people of the Middle East yearn to see American Christians who come to “be” with them, rather than to “talk” at them. I am glad to hear that this Phoenix effort has been carefully planned. Missioners who go need to 
understand the culture and their new friends. Then, what Riad Jarjour calls “the dialogue of life,” is possible.
How well equipped do you feel Christians in the Middle East are to reach the Muslim majority around them? Do you feel that they have a strong vision for that?
The Christians in the Middle East are proud and confident of their Christian faith, celebrating the long history of Christianity in their nations. They also live in daily contact with Muslims. They are fellow citizens in particular countries and live together under the same political constraints and difficulties. Many are near neighbors, co-workers in business enterprises or work together, assisting one another in the fields.
They understand the dynamics of their mutual existence and often have opportunities for substantive conversations. In many communities they visit one another on religious holidays—even baking the special pastries for each other. In that context they are better prepared to share their convictions and visions with their Muslim friends in the “dialogue of life.”
There are, of course, occasional points of tension between the two religious communities, but in general they enjoy opportunities for mutual contact.
What role do you see the U.S. church playing in encouraging the Christians in the Middle East? What can congregations do?
American denominations have strong ecumenical ties to the churches and Christians in the Middle East. Many have staff specialists who know their counterparts in the Middle East churches and the Middle East Council of Churches. That includes Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical churches in the United States.
Several of the Middle East churches have congregations in the United States, especially groups like the Armenian Orthodox, the Coptic Orthodox and the Greek Catholic Churches. A number of churches in the Middle East were started by such groups as American Presbyterians and the United Church of Christ (Congregationalists). It is also true of many Baptist groups, the Assemblies of God and the Nazarenes.
Other U.S. church groups have long supported humanitarian aid, including leadership training, for Christian groups in the Middle East. They have done this through Church World Service and Catholic Relief Services. These groups often send delegations to visit with their counterparts, witnessing to their common faith.
In addition, many of the leading colleges and universities in the Middle East have their roots in the missionary enterprise and strong ties to the churches that were their original sponsors. Nearly all these colleges and universities receive Muslim students. Some Christian congregations in the Middle East have schools that serve students regardless of religious background. This has historically been a major opportunity to witness to the Christian faith.
A number of the best hospitals and medical institutions in the Middle East have historic church connections. They too serve people’s needs, regardless of current religious preference. And they are important places in which the Christian faith and the Christian concern for the whole of life is made known.
What role do you see the U.S. church has in bringing Muslims of the Middle East into the Kingdom of God?
U.S. denominations – and many congregations – are already doing this through just such services and interactions as already mentioned. In providing humanitarian aid, educational and health services, and in working for justice and freedom, these U.S. church bodies frequently cite Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of God. They seek to be involved in the whole Middle Eastern communities, including among Muslim members, “as one who serves” and out of Jesus’ concern for the whole of life.
Are you seeing encouraging signs or trends of outreach to Muslims in the Middle East? Are you seeing fruitful practices being established?
The U.S. based denominations and agencies like Church World Service are able to do their work through the generosity of congregations and individual Christians in the U.S.; these agencies depend on volunteers and committed staff on the ground in the Middle East – many or most of whom come from U.S. congregations. But this work continues efforts made in the last century.
The work is possible because of a relatively new partnership style between U.S. congregations, through denominations, and the local congregations and educational agencies in the Middle East, or through hospitals, schools and colleges that function as an outreach of Middle Eastern denominations and congregations.
Do you think the conditions for Christians in Iraq will improve and the flight of believers slowly come to a halt?
We hope so. It may naturally accompany the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq. But political leaders in Iraq need to be encouraged not only by coalition leaders, but by human rights leaders within all nations. The way in which Christians from Iraq have been welcomed as refugees in Syria and guaranteed freedom of worship needs more attention in the West.
Are many Muslims coming to Christ in Iran due to satellite TV? Does social media have a role in reaching Muslims for Christ?
Certainly all media are important means of witnessing to the Gospel, and the power of social media is newly evident in places like Egypt. However personal, face-to-face conversations and dialog are the most effective ways to make the love of Jesus known.
One problem of satellite TV is that it may often portray Christ as a white, Western image rather than the One who was incarnate in their own flesh. It may also feature Western, rather than indigenous, theological perspectives.
The media are carrying messages all the time and some of the statements from the so-called Christian West make it more difficult for Iranian Muslims and others to see Christ as the Lord and Savior of all.
How should we pray for the Middle East?
Constantly. For all the people, first for their welfare and peace and freedom. Then for the Christian communities in the Middle East, that they may be faithful and that their witness to the love of Christ may be effective.
What are your fears and hopes for the region in coming months?
We hope that the Christians will continue to play an important role in their societies and that they, along with their fellow citizens, have increasing freedoms to work and worship with the people of their choice. We hope there will be a minimum of strife as they continue to work out their revolution.
For an extended version of this interview click here.
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How do you def
ine “the Middle East”?
People define the Middle East in different ways. Since we were working with the Middle East Council of Churches at the time the book was conceived and written, we used the definition that the historic churches in the region had agreed to some years earlier.
We acknowledge that even the terms “Middle East” or “Near East” were colonial designations, originally adopted by British geographers because they were the “nearest” East or “middle-distance” East from London. Geographically it would be more accurate to refer to North Africa and Western Asia, (NAWA) as some international agencies do. — JMB/BJB
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Is persecution ahead?
We do not expect Egypt to be the new hot spot for persecution against Christians. Recently the most extreme of Egyptian Muslim groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, has agreed to participate in a new unity government. Pakistan and Iraq are more likely to continue their persecution of Christians, at least in part because Muslim extremists see the Christian communities in their lands as directly related to the United States military.
A few American servicemen in Iraq wanted to worship with local Christians and did so in full uniform and with their weapons. The churches offered them hospitality but this was held against those churches. Also the West is considered by extremists to be an example of Christian nations who, beginning with the Crusades, displayed their faith through military might. Memories are long in the Middle East. “The centuries coexist,” one of our scholar mentors told us.
Are Middle Eastern Christians inclined to be more doctrinaire and fundamentalist than Americans are used to? If Americans see expressions of Middle Eastern Christianity as doctrinaire, they reveal a lack of understanding of other Christian traditions and of the impact of early Christian history. Also, the question assumes a single style of Christian belief and practice. Actually there is a wide variety in the Middle East, displayed in the four families of churches and in the newer “Pentecostal” traditions. This variety is even wider – and richer – than Americans experience at home. Most Protestant Christians in America have very little experience with this range of Christianity.
One factor does unite Middle Eastern Christians: A deep appreciation for their own cultural and religious traditions and for those of others. In our experience, we have almost always been welcomed into the colorful rites of the other churches.
— JMB/BJB
Church sending out first team: ‘We can’t wait to get there’
A megachurch in the greater Phoenix area is sending 22 adults and children to the Middle East to live for a year or more and extend the message of Christianity to the Muslin people. The church is not identified at its request. This is their account:
For what global purpose has God created your church? Our church, located in the Phoenix area, started asking that very question seven years ago. Previously we had a shotgun approach to missions. If we had money and someone applied for support we would gladly add them to our support list. We supported many around the world. We felt good about what we were doing and why shouldn’t we? Surely for a church that God was blessing beyond measure, he had to want more from us, but what could that be?
Our first step was creating the Global Strategy Team, including staff, elders and servant ministers, all with a heart for the nations. The team gathered all desiring to listen, pray and seek God’s desire for our church’s global vision. It was a long and frustrating process. Why couldn’t so many like-minded people, with an understanding of God’s heart for the nations, a desire to be obedient, and a significant understanding of God’s global issues, come up with an answer?
It was an interesting journey. They prayed, read Scripture, prayed more, toured the country for what other churches were doing, and toured the world to see the work that was being done. No matter how hard they tried they couldn’t come up with the what God had for us – but God slowly revealed the how and eventually when they were obedient to the how he showed them the what.
Connecting with God
The how begins with two ways that our congregation can start on the global journey. One is to participate in a Global Connection Trip, which is an experience that will help introduce them to what God is forced to see every day. The goals of our Global Connection Trips are to connect our teams with God, with each other, and with the receivers.
Our trips are not just a 15-day experience, but a six month global discipleship program that will change their hearts. It includes pre-field, on field and post-field training. We realize that a 15-day experience isn’t going to change the world, but we guarantee that each participant will be changed. Our motto is Short Term Trips. Life-Time Impact.
Another way to get started is to take the Pathways course. The Pathways course, formerly known as World Wide Perspectives, is a great education that engages one’s mind. It’s a dynamic 13-week journey that will explore God’s world-wide agenda and the significant role each of us can play in His relentless Kingdom intentions.
We do not encourage one step over another. For some, starting with a Global Connection Trip and then taking Pathways is the way to go, but others start with Pathways and then take a Global Connection Trip. There is no right way or wrong way to get started in this process; just start with one of the two steps.
Conversation goes on
Once people have experienced a Global Connection Trip or the Pathways course the Global Outreach team meets with them to celebrate all God accomplished through their journey and help them process through their next steps. Some go, some stay, but all are called. It is our desire to keep them seeking in which direction God is calling them.
If someone is interested in going long-term, we encourage them to join the Gathering. The Gathering meets quarterly and just keeps the conversation going. It’s a safe place to learn and ask questions. There are different speakers each time and always plenty of question and answer time. Once someone has determined God may be calling them to long-term and they are ready to figure it out, they are invited to participate in a 10.5 month intense discipleship program that emulates all that is required to go long-term.
It’s the very best way to experience long-term life without selling everything and quitting your job. Each participant is expected to stay in school or keep their job and learn to balance all of life’s obligations with outreach, learning and team building. Some graduate the discipleship program and decide to go on to a one-year apprenticeship for the final verification or confirmation that God is calling them to long-term work. Through this entire process we celebrate each step and look at every confirmation as a victory. If someone discovers they are a Sender it is as equal a victory as someone confirming they are a Sent One.
Anywhere in the process if someone determines they are to stay and participate as a Sender, we have many ways for them to participate. They can join any one of our nine teams or start supporting one of our long-term workers financially. The
Welcoming Team reaches out to internationals locally. The Global Prayer Team strives to ignite others with the passion to pray for the nations.
The Global Connections Team supports all of our short-term connection trips and helps ensure that global discipleship is happening through the process. The Member Care Team helps connect our congregation with our field workers providing encouragement and prayer. The Church Based Development Team is responsible for encouraging those interested in long-term to process and keep developing their global efforts. The Facebook Team helps connect interested people with long-term workers. The Underground Faith Team prays for the persecuted church and provides awareness for our congregation. The Global Support Team provides administrative support for all the teams. The Global Students Team helps connect student to God and his global plan for their lives.
Once someone has been on a team, they are encouraged to develop and start taking leadership opportunities learning to replace themselves and develop their teams.
First launch
The journey God has our church on is so amazing. We are just starting to launch our first Church-Based Teams into our target area. Once we discovered how we were going to move people through the global journey, it was then that God revealed the what and the where and the who. We adopted people clusters in Northern Africa that are Arabized, speak Arabic, are unreached with the Gospel, and are Muslim. God has blessed us with so much and he will hold us accountable for that. Therefore we must go where others aren’t going to shine God’s light into the darkness.
We are seeing the first fruits of this vision as 22 adults and children are getting ready to launch into the region. It’s exciting to have our first Church-Based Teams preparing to hit the ground. We think that these are incredible times, where God is really opening up the hearts and minds of the people who have for far too long existed in a status quo. We are excited about the potential and see God tilling the ground so seeds can be planted.
The more things stir up in the area the more potential and excitement stirs in our teams. So while most people are saying, “Why go there?” we are seeing the incredible potential and can’t wait be part of his plan. We say, “Why wait? What an opportunity.” Most of the people would leave today if it was possible.
Most church planting movements happen during a crisis and we can’t wait to get there. We are praising God for the vision he seared in our hearts and can’t wait to be where he called us. He created our church for this vision and we can’t wait to see where he will take us.
