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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land (ELCJHL)
(Al Kanisa Al Injiliyyeh Al Loutheriyyeh Fi Al Urdun)
MISSION
God calls the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) to proclaim the Gospel within an Arab context in the Holy
Lands. This proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the message of salvation is
to Arabs, including Palestinians, and is expressed both through witnessing to
the Gospel as well as through diakonia. God calls the ELCJHL to serve the
poorest of the poor and to care for people who have suffered long because of the
difficult political situation in this area.
HISTORY
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem (ELCJHL)—working in Palestine, Jordan
and Israel—grew out of mission schools and orphanages initiated by European
missions in the mid-19th century. People became interested in Lutheran teachings
and eventually established congregations. Redeemer Lutheran Church, founded in
1898 in Jerusalem, became a hub of church activities, serving Arab, German, and
English-speaking members.
PRESENT SITUATION
The ELCJH Lis the only Arabic-speaking Lutheran denomination in the world and the
only indigenous Lutheran church in the Middle East. It has a special calling to
work for reconciliation among those who have been victimized by war, to
concentrate actively on peace education, and to initiate dialogue among
Christians, Muslims and Jews for truth and reconciliation.
The ELCJHL currently has 2,000 members in six congregations: five in Palestine
(Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beir Sahour) and one in Amman,
Jordan. Membership has declined due to emigration caused by the difficult
economic situation and unstable political climate.
The Palestinian community greatly appreciates the ELCJHL's contributions toward
education through a network of Lutheran schools affiliated with congregations.
Currently, there are five schools.
Over the years of Lutheran presence in Palestine, several ministries which the
ELCA supports have developed and continue to operate in the region.
The Ramallah Friends School is an example of an elementary and secondary school
for Palestinian youth, both Christians and Muslims. The school offers English
language education for Palestinians and for members of Palestinian families who
have lived outside the region. It also enables Palestinian youth on the West
Bank to attend an English language school in their homeland while maintaining
the Arabic language. An ELCA missionary currently teaches at the school.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, hosts
an English language ministry which provides congregational activities for the
international and expatriate community of Jerusalem. It offers Lutheran worship
for pilgrims and tourists from the English-speaking world who come for short
stays in the Holy Land. The ELCA provides a pastor for the Lutheran Church of
the Redeemer.
The International Center of Bethlehem has been established in Christmas Lutheran
Church in Bethlehem, and is aimed at making a significant contribution toward
Muslim-Christian understanding and increasing awareness of the presence of
Palestinian Christians. This center provides opportunities to explore the Holy
Land from a non-commercial viewpoint and from the perspectives of Palestinian
Christians.
Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is funded and
maintained by the Lutheran World Federation. It has done significant work among
Palestinians for half a century.
The ELCA contributes financially to the Peace Centre for the Blind, which
provides educational and vocational training for visually handicapped
Palestinian women. Academic studies in Arabic, Braille, and music are provided,
as well as vocational studies such as hand knitting, machine knitting, and
sewing for women who have completed high school.
ADVOCACY
End to Occupation, Christian-Muslim Dialogue
For more Link to ELCA Middle East connections
and the ELCA Peace Not Walls campaign
QUICK FACTS
Web Page
http://www.holyland-lutherans.org
Church Leader
Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan, Bishop
Location
West Bank, Gaza, Jordan
Headquarters
Jerusalem
Languages
Arabic
Members
2000
Church Workers
pastors, teachers, health care workers, others
Church Structure
6 congregations
Memberships
Lutheran World Federation (LWF), since 1974
World Council of Churches (WCC)
Jerusalem Inter-Church Committee
Middle-east Council of Churches
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