The Alumni Association of Eastern Mennonite University has honored graduates for their work in reflecting the school?s vision, mission and values. D. Michael and Virginia A. (Ginny) Hostetler of Nazareth were named joint recipients of EMU?s 2003 ?alumnus of the year? award presented during the Sunday, Oct. 12, worship service of homecoming and parents weekend.

Special For Come and See, Oct 13, 2003

Musalaha is a ministry of reconciliation between Arabs and Jews. They held a very successful Youth Leaders Conference in Germany between August 24-29.

Special for Come and See, Sep 14, 2003

The editorial coordinator of Christian History in "Christianity Today" writes about the history of Palestinian Christians:

"They've called the Holy Land home for centuries, but they've never actually governed themselves"

Steven Gertz, Christianity Today, Aug 8, 2003

Gary Burge is professor of New Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois, an institution often referred to as the "Evangelical Harvard."

In his just released book, "Whose Land? Whose Promise? What Christians Are Not Being Told about Israel and the Palestinians," he charges that Israel disregards its own theological heritage when it violates the human rights of Palestinians?both Christians and Muslims.

Religion News, May 19, 2003

The settlers in the occuiped territories prepare for the coming struggle as the "Road Map for Peace" was published. The Racist Minister Benny Elon who comes from a party that supports "transferring" all Palestinains to Jordan speaks about the help he will get from Evangalicals who support Israel. "These are people who are wild about Israel. Compared to them, I am considered a dove."

Daniel Ben Simon, Haaretz, May 2, 2003

Beleaguered Arab Christians are finding their position among majority Muslim populations more precarious than usual as the US and UK pursue military action in Iraq.

BCC Reporter Martin Asser reports from Madaba, Jordan:
'When Bush talks about a "crusade" against terrorism in the Middle East, this is a big problem for us. The Americans should think what they say and what they do; they must remember that there are Christians here, and what they do affects us'.

By Martin Asser, March 24, 2003, BBC News Online, Madaba, Jordan

Saddam Hussein's Middle East region is home not only to 150 million Muslims but to a minority remnant of 10 million to 12 million Christians
Their heritage extends to the biblical beginnings depicted in the Book of Acts. The new faith quickly spread to Syria, where "the disciples were for the first time called Christians" (Acts 11:26), across present-day Turkey and into Europe and points eastward.

But in modern times, Christians' status in the region has long been precarious. The Iraq situation makes matters worse.

By Richard N. Ostling, AP Religion Writer March 08, 2003

A Palestinian Christian tells how Jesus changed his life: "Last year, I went to the Israeli checkpoint and gave a soldier the 'Four Spiritual Laws'. I know that the only way for there to be true peace is for Israelis and Palestinians to be totally changed by the love of Jesus Christ."

By Joel C. Rosenberg, World Magazine, Feb 22, 2003

When Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel was growing up in Kufur Yaseef in Galilee, in what used to be Palestine, he never imagined that his Christian upbringing would prepare him to lead one of the most influential mainline denominations in America.

"I heard the cry of the Palestinian Christians asking us to pray for them and asking us to have solidarity with them to stay on the land". "We need to say to Israel, 'We love you; we support you; we support your security; but what you are doing to the people in the West Bank is wrong,'"

By Andrew J. Skerritt The Herald, Published January 31? 2003)

"There are so few Christian visitors it was even possible to get a room at the last moment at Christ Church's hostel and St. Andrews Scottish Hospice, favorites of Christian tourists".
Patricia Golan writes about Christmas in the Jerusalem Baptist church. The Church gives a special tribute to Filipino workers in Israel who were part of a candlelight evening.

By Patricia Golan, Baptist Press, Dec 31, 2002