P r a g u e / N a z a r e t h – A dispute between the Baptist Union of Israel and the US-American, Southern Baptist-run International Mission Board (IMB) regarding a large house in Nazareth was amicably resolved recently. This was reported by computer specialist Bader Mansour (Nazareth) at the European Baptist Federation (EBF) council sessions taking place in Prague from 22 to 25 September: „The story has a happy ending.“ After the missions society IMB had restructured its work in Israel, the two-story house constructed in the 1950s was to be sold. Though the house was a private dwelling, it had also been utilised by Israeli Baptists from the outset as a conference centre. Israeli Baptists were therefore given first chance to purchase the structure, but the small Union with only 1.000 members and 20 congregations was unable to raise the necessary funds. Help finally arrived in the form of pensioners Dwight and Emma Baker (Duncanville/Texas). These former IMB-missionaries, who had constructed the house with the support of the mission society and also used it, donated $100.000 towards the purchase of the building. IMB-missions leadership responded by waiving a portion of the original price, thereby making it possible for the Israeli Union to purchase the building. „We want to serve the congregations and the Union in general by creating a Christian Centre there for further theological, Biblical and cultural training,“ stated Mansour in Prague. Pastors and volunteer workers are to be trained there. A small hotel is also to be opened. „We can thereby offer study options in a highly unique setting: One will be able to study there, where Jesus Christ once spent his youth.“

Mansour described the situation of Israeli Baptists as „tense“: „We are a minority within a minority.“ Arab Baptists are usually regarded as second-class citizens in that country. They have problems with both Israeli officials and Muslim Arabs. Many Christians cannot withstand this pressure and emigrate to the USA or Canada. It is therefore especially important that the remaining Christians view themselves as „living stones in a holy land“. They are called to work as peacemakers and to help overcome the hatred in that land.

Mansour also reported that he along with friends has launched a new information page on the Internet. Under the address http://www.comeandsee.com authentic, English-language, Christian-oriented information on the Holy Land can be found.