Working with my brothers and sisters in Christ
Have you ever thought about being an Embrace volunteer? There is so much you can do – whether it’s becoming an Embrace speaker, helping out at events or fundraising. It’s fun, it’s varied and it makes a real difference. Duncan tells us how he got involved in volunteering and what it means to him.
As a young boy I attended a Brethren House Church, where Scripture was all important. In ‘Sunday School’, I was taught about the individuals, peoples and nations from Ur to the Land of Goshen. I learnt of their ups and downs in life. Good times and bad times. Most significantly, I heard of their relationship with the Living God.
This swathe of land, countries, peoples and individuals that I learnt about as a child, and still read about in the Bible today, has obviously changed much since biblical times. Today Ur is in modern-day Iraq and the Land of Goshen is in Egypt. Between these two nations sit Syria, Lebanon and Israel-Palestine. Countries often in our modern-day news, and not always for the right reasons.
However, one thing has not changed, the people and individuals who still have a relationship with the Living God.
In my Christian tradition ‘Holy Places’ hold little significance, for all places are Sacred. Therefore, the need for ‘pilgrimage’ is of no purpose. As such, I never really felt a need to visit this region of the world. My first physical encounter with these ‘Bible lands’ was for a very practical reason. My son chose to write an under graduate dissertation on sustainable agriculture in a conflict zone; namely Israel-Palestine. I accompanied him for the first week to help him settle in.
To be honest, I was not exactly bowled over by the religious sites. What won me over was the people. You see ‘the wall’, the soldiers, the settlers (armed with battle field weapons) and yet the ordinary people, the everyday folk, were just so welcoming, and warm hearted. There is no hospitality like Middle Eastern hospitality.
My first encounter with ‘Embrace the Middle East’ was on a tour to Israel-Palestine entitled ‘Encountering the radical Jesus’ run by the United Reformed Church. One of the group leaders was a Trustee for Embrace. As well as visiting the Holy sites, we also visited many of Embrace’s partners and saw the wonderful work they were undertaking. It was radical Christianity in action. On my return, I signed up as an Embrace supporter and attended a volunteer day. Now give Embrace talks, I am the coordinator for the South East Hub and have been privileged to lead tours.
As well as visiting Israel-Palestine, I have seen the work of Embrace’s partners in Lebanon and Egypt. On these trips I have grown in understanding and appreciation of my brothers and sisters in Christ; particularly their doctrine, which is so different from mine. The mystery of faith found in gold-filled, dare I say kitsch, churches. A mystery of faith so often missing in a Reformed understanding. At monasteries, in the middle of the desert, where long-dead mummified monks are wheeled out for Communion. For me Communion is a simple act of remembrance. But for them Communion is the point at which all the saints that ever were, are, and ever shall be join together in this cosmic moment.
Together we share a single theology, a generally held knowledge of God. But our doctrine; how we respond to that knowledge provides us with the richest and most diverse of ways to glorify God. This rich tapestry of faith is found nowhere as intensely as it is in the Middle East
Sadly, the media portrayal of the Middle East is rarely good. To be fair, the ongoing issues throughout the region can at times be depressing. But one must always remember that in the midst of these disheartening circumstances are people. People, made in the image of God and loved by God, in the lands where God made Himself, makes Himself, known to us.
It is not all about what we can do for our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters in Christ. It is also about what they do for us. Their incredible Christian witness. The fortitude and determination of Embrace’s partners to continue to proclaim, by word and deed, the good news of Jesus Christ. They provide me, us, with inspiration and hope. Even in the darkest of moments, when all hope seems lost, Christ is there in the midst of poverty, illness, injustice and conflict. And because Christ is there His people are there.
This is why I do what I do for Embrace the Middle East. To be a part of that tapestry of faith. To work for, and with, my brothers and sisters in Christ in the lands I read about every day in Bible and newspaper. To be inspired by their witness and to help continue the story of faith in the Living God.