Bethlehem: A City Contained
by Hanns Manship, Exec, Vice President, Compassion Radio
May 28, 2007
BETHLEHEM (ANS) -- Known throughout the world as the birthplace of Christ, Bethlehem looks different today than in years past. Surrounded like a medieval castle by an enormous concrete wall, the city is totally contained. But this fortress has not been built to keep invaders out-but to keep the people of Bethlehem in. The wall, a symbol of centuries of hard times, reflects the atmosphere inside. No matter your point of view, it's a sad thing to see. And because of it the people of Bethlehem have a tougher life.But there exists a bright spot in this town and the people inside the wall know it by name and deed. The Bethlehem Bible College is doing a Christ honoring work to bring good and "good news" into the community.
I spent time at the college. We shared together during their morning Chapel and we prayed together for various personal things, for school matters, community concerns, and we prayed for peace in the land. I encouraged them that they were not alone. There were Christian brothers and sisters across many countries praying for them and sharing their burden.
I visited with Reverend John Angle, a British pastor who has supported the college for 25 years and helps raise funding in his home country of England.
John is managing the college while it's president and founder, Bishara Awad, is speaking in England for the Baptist Assembly, along with other engagements. He's also lecturing on life in Israel for the Palestinian Believers. His brother, Alex Awad, is on sabbatical in New Zealand.
The college was founded to encourage young Christians to develop their understanding of the Bible and to prepare them for leadership. They train pastors, youth leaders, and administrators involved in NGO outreach. There's training for tour guides in the area and an excellent library open to the community. Groups of doctors come and provide free clinics. There's first aid training programs, involvement with sports and children of the community. "The college is very much a Christian center for Christian activities. We seek to gently encourage people in what the Christian faith is all about-to witness and show God's love in the community," John stated.
The college has a new media studio center and prepares weekly programs for Bethlehem TV. There's a new building program under way for needed lecture facilities and student accommodations. John shared his heart, "If things would only open up and there would be more peace here, Christians would come from many parts of the Arab world for training and activities. But there needs to be more freedom for access and travel."
Many pastors in the Palestinian territories are graduates of the college-in Galilee, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Gaza. Many teach in private Christian schools as well.
Some of the College's Bible students were enjoying a 3 day retreat in Jericho, for a time of spiritual and physical renewal. They were joined by Messianic Jewish students from an Israeli Bible college for a time of sharing, fellowship, sports, and to encourage one another and just have fun. "There's not much fun in Bethlehem for the students," John says. "The wall around Bethlehem keeps us physically and emotionally hemmed in. The quality of life here is difficult. It's very oppressive and depressive. And the Christians are just constantly trying to survive and to thrive here."
I was told there weren't many visitors to Bethlehem. The tour busses don't usually come any more-they're told it's too dangerous. I couldn't bring my rental car inside. I had to park at the security checkpoint and take a taxi once I had passed security and been allowed inside the wall.
"There are economic difficulties-unemployment, lack of tourism-it's very difficult. There's basically little problem between Muslims and Christians. The live together quite happily," John said. "There are always issues with any ethnic group in any part of the world, but it's no worse here."
John spoke about those who struggle to have jobs in Jerusalem, only minutes away. "The few from Bethlehem that are allowed to work in Jerusalem, 6 miles away, have to get up very early, stand in line for 1-2 hours, and go through tight security every day. It's a very humiliating, frustrating, and time consuming experience. And some put themselves through it every day in order to have a job." John reflected on himself, "But for you and I as foreigners, we just sail through."
"The situation in Bethlehem is peaceful now. There's no fighting in the streets. There was 5 years ago. But the problems for the people here are not caused by any ethnic or religious rivalry. The Muslims don't persecute the Christians here. That's an idea that is often put around."
The wall is a major symbol of the problem. "The wall keeps everybody in Bethlehem-it doesn't allow people out." The lack of visitors to the city doesn't help the economy. "I don't understand." John continued with a puzzled expression, "The tourism industry has dropped off drastically. Yet it's perfectly safe here."
Many problems for the Christians here are caused by the wall. It surrounds Bethlehem. It means the people can't leave Bethlehem as they want to without permission. "The president of Bethlehem Bible College does not have permission to go to Jerusalem. He's the president of an internationally known college and he speaks all over the world. But as a Palestinian he's not allowed to fly out of Tel Aviv, even though he's an American citizen and has an American passport. He has a car but is not allowed to take it out of Bethlehem," He said.
"There are so many anomalies here. The wall hems people in. It keeps them from visiting parks, churches, cinemas in other parts of Israel."
When asked about the ratio of Palestinian Believers versus Israeli Believers in Israel John said, "There are many more Palestinian than Israeli Christians in Israel. Maybe 80,000 to 100,000 Palestinian Christians vs., I've heard, about 3,000 Messianic believers. Now this includes Orthodox, Catholics-all denominations. In Gaza, with a population of about 1 million, there are about 3,000 Christians." John continued, "And the church there is very pressured. There was a bomb in one of the buildings last week. The Palestinian community would see the church as possibly harming Arab interests. It's not easy for any of the local Palestinians to get out of Gaza. Yet the church is thriving and surviving there."
When asked how we in America can be praying for our Christian brothers in Bethlehem, John had several specific answers. "There's a great deal of suspicion, exaggeration, bias, and untruths spoken about the situation here. People outside of Israel need to be made aware. We don't want to be political as Christians, but we do want to be aware of what's going on-we need to pray for peace in this part of the world." I could sense John's heart for all the people of Israel, "Pray for righteous leaders, for just and righteous decisions. We need to pray that all people will live together in harmony. Jesus said we should love one another and love our neighbors as ourselves. Pray we won't ostracize one group over another, which is easy to do. Pray for understanding."
John was also concerned with the finances of the college. "Pray for financial support from abroad. The church here is poor and it needs financial support from the wealthier countries of the world."
As John drove me through Israeli security and back to my car, he had this final appeal: "Bethlehem Bible College needs visitors-people to come and see them, to meet the Christians, to encourage them and support them. Why don't more people come from abroad and visit them and encourage them? They want your support and love."
We pray the Lord will continue a good work through John and the leaders and students of the Bethlehem Bible College in the midst of the spiritual battle that continues...in a city contained.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
