May We not be Dominated by Hatred and Animosity

 

Prayer for the Christians of Gaza.

 

May we not be dominated by hatred and animosity.

 

In Gaza, significant Christians continue demonstrating the image of "praying Christians" even amidst war and conflict.

 

The Gaza Baptist Church consists of 100 Christian families living in Gaza and 100 in the West Bank. This church also provides care for 700 Iraqi Christian refugee families in Jordan.

 

In an interview conducted online with Pastor Eric Foley of VOM Korea, Pastor Hanna Massad of the Gaza Baptist Church shared news from the Protestant churches in Gaza.

 

Massad said, "When we do not know what or how to pray, we plead with God the Father with inexpressible groaning. The Father responds to our needs according to His will." He quoted Romans 8:26-27.

 

Regarding the recent attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October, 2023, Massad said, "Things that should not have happened did happen. Our  heart aches because of the Jewish families who were junure."

 

He emphasized the role of "Palestinian Christians" in Gaza. He said, "As disciples of the Lord, we bring God's love to both sides and shine the light in the darkness. We pray that God will help us convey that He is with us even in this difficult situation."

 

The Christians of the Gaza Baptist Church believe that despite suffering and hardship, only God can turn the terrible events happening now into something good. As Christians, they believe that they will be moved by the Lord and His grace, not only for the Palestinian people and the Gaza Christian community but also for the Jewish people. They said, "Even though we are isolated, we will fulfill our mission through prayer."

 

Three fires are burning in Israel and Palestine: one is the fire of Islamic armed groups, another is the fire of Israeli revenge, and the third is the fire of evangelical Christians, Greek Orthodox churches in Gaza, and other traditional churches.

 

Rev. Massad said that Christians in Gaza are pondering how to live in faith amid these three fires, especially trying not to be dominated by hatred and animosity. They are questioning how this can achieved.

 

In an online worship service, the Gaza Baptist Church held 90 minutes of prayer for all parties in the conflict the Sunday after the Hamas attack. The church also had a memorial time for martyr Rami Ayyad, who was one of the leaders of the Gaza Baptist Church. He was the manager of a Christian bookstore operated by the church and executed by Islamic armed groups on 7 October 2007.

 

Rev. Massad reported that Christians in Gaza hope not to be dominated by hatred and animosity. They want nothing to affect their intimate relationship with God negatively. Massad usually gathers around 50-60 saints wherever he goes.

 

Some Christians in Gaza were driven out of their homes and relocated to the Greek Orthodox church area. The location of the Gaza Baptist Church was too risky due to its proximity to the police station. He said, "There is no safe place in Gaza. Gaza is too dangerous."

 

Because there is no electricity supply in Gaza, some Christians could not connect to online video conferences. Massad expressed deep concern for the mental health of the saints in Gaza.

 

Rev. Massad spoke about the need for fellowship among Christians inside and outside Gaza. He said, "The Lord connects us through suffering and hardship," besides the 100 families attending the West Bank church, 700 Iraqi refugee families living in Jordan are encouraging each other.

 

Communication and fellowship among Christians help us realize that we are part of a larger body, even the body of Christ. It can assist both individuals and other Christians who feel lonely and isolated. The fellowship of the saints makes us realize that the Lord has sent amazing brothers and sisters into our lives.

 

The Korean and Protestant churches worldwide should have fellowship with Protestant church members in Gaza. In fellowship, we can find inspiration to endure suffering. We can experience God's love and sympathy for our brothers and sisters in the Lord through caring for one another.

 

Rev. Doug Choi, President of Peniel Theological Seminary, Busan, Korea