wfn.org | LCMS Military Action Affects West Bank Lutherans

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 21
April 12, 2002

Military action affects West Bank Lutherans

By Paula Schlueter Ross

Lutherans and Lutheran churches are among the victims of Israel's military 
action in the Palestinian territories.

Among those is Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor of a Palestinian Lutheran church in 
Bethlehem, who was unharmed after being detained at gunpoint for two hours 
earlier this month by Israeli soldiers.

But Raheb can't say the same for his church, which has been working with 
Wheat Ridge Ministries, a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran 
Church--Missouri Synod.

Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church buildings were damaged extensively 
when the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) re-entered Bethlehem April 2 with 
tanks, bulldozers and troops.

Two days later, IDF soldiers stormed the church compound, breaking down 
doors, shattering windows and "vandalizing" numerous offices as they 
searched the complex, according to Raheb.  The soldiers searched several 
buildings and detained Raheb while they rifled through his office 
files.  He was shaken, but unharmed, after the ordeal, he said.

Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church is one of six congregations of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine) (ELCJ).  The pastor 
of another West Bank ELCJ congregation, Lutheran Church of Hope in 
Ramallah, reportedly was used by Israeli soldiers "as a human shield" as 
they searched the church complex, room by room, on April 7.

The search lasted about two and a half hours, according to an April 9 news 
release from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  No gunmen, 
weapons or ammunition were found.  After the search, the pastor, Rev. Ramez 
Ansara, had to walk home alone, a dangerous venture in light of the area's 
24-hour curfew, the story said.  He arrived safely.

"We in the Lutheran church denounce the acts of invading and searching 
churches and church sanctuaries and demand that the international community 
and the State of Israel secure the protection and the sanctity of church 
sanctuaries, compounds and properties," said the ELCJ in an April 8 news 
release.

In an April 5 letter to President George W. Bush, Missouri Synod President 
Gerald Kieschnick said the prayers of all LCMS members "are with you and 
your Administration as you seek ways to curb the violence and bring peace 
to the Middle East."

Kieschnick said "it is the prayer of our church that, through your efforts 
and those of other men of goodwill, lasting peace finally may come to 
embattled Palestine -- and to the entire Middle East."

Dr. Richard Bimler, president of Wheat Ridge Ministries, had planned to 
attend a dedication ceremony next month for the Dar al-Kalima Wellness and 
Health Centers in Bethlehem.  The centers, operated by the Evangelical 
Lutheran Christmas Church, have received some $850,000 in funding from 
Wheat Ridge donors -- primarily LCMS members -- since November 2000.   The 
dedication has been postponed because of the fighting.

The Wellness facility, which includes a gymnasium, swimming pool and 
outdoor "meditation garden," is designed to offer recreational 
opportunities for area children and their families.  The Health Center will 
provide medical, eye and dental clinics, as well as health workshops and 
training.

Bimler also said he was planning to lead a workshop at the April 18-20 
convocation of the Lutheran Education Association in Minneapolis with Viola 
Raheb, sister of Mitri and superintendent of schools for the ELCJ.  As this 
Reporter went to press April 10, her attendance at the convocation appeared 
unlikely, however.

Although Bimler said he is "very much disappointed" by the violence that 
has delayed the wellness center's opening in Bethlehem, he also thanks God, 
he said, that Pastor Mitri Raheb "hasn't lost the vision of health and hope."

"The Lord will still bless this [venture]," Raheb told him in the days 
after Israeli soldiers searched his church, Bimler said.  Because of the 
media coverage, more and more people are hearing about the Palestinian 
Lutheran ministries, Raheb said.

"We are here and we will remain here," Raheb said after the April 2 
attack.  "Nothing will be able to stop us witnessing to the Lord of 
life.  In these Easter days, this is our conviction."

For more information about Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church and its 
ministries, contact Wheat Ridge Ministries at (800) 762-6748; 
wrmail@wheatridge.org.  Or visit its Web site at http://www.wheatridge.org.

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