Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

Many of us have witnessed the emerging famine in the Gaza Strip with a deep sense of grief. The ongoing war between Hamas and the Israelis has now dragged on nearly two years. Even today, there is hope of a new ceasefire agreement which might allow humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza caught in the crossfire.

Having been to the Holy Land twice, I know how little I understand the conflict which has been ongoing for decades, if not centuries. The current conflict is framed by the terrorist group Hamas and the hardline conservative Likud party, currently in power in Israel. Prior conflicts have been with different entities and groups leading to similar outcomes to what we are seeing today. Mistakes over those many years bring us to this place of deep sadness.

We recognize that blame can be assigned to Hamas for its vicious attack on October 7, 2023 leading to nearly 1,200 Israelis losing their lives or being kidnapped. We can also hold the fact that the Israeli government prevents much humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, resulting in our current situation. At the same time, the Israeli government has dotted the landscape of the West Bank with hundreds upon hundreds of Israeli settlements, making life in the West Bank nearly impossible for the residents under the leadership of the Palestinian Authority.

In the midst of this conflict, it important to reflect on my experiences of meeting, praying, and worshipping with the small groups of Arab Christians left in the West Bank. These people of faith hold the truth of Jesus in a Jewish nation with an imbedded Muslim population who make up the vast majority of Arabs living in Palestinian Territory. Stories of these same Arab Christians are making their way to the surface from Gaza where churches serve as gathering places for Christians and relief centers for those suffering.

Will you join me in…

• Learning more about the story of Arab Christians
• Praying for believers in Gaza to share Jesus as they serve others
• Seeking to be peacemakers and ministers of reconciliation

When situations such as this are so complex and nuanced, we must hear the call to pray and seek peace.

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown
(August 19, 2025)