Linga - Nazareth

Thursday, May 12th 2011 marked the first day of a three day long event heralding 100 years of Baptist witness in the Holy Land. The event, sponsored in partnership with several local Baptist organizations, ran from May 12 – 14 at the Golden Crown Hotel in Nazareth and included a full schedule of conferences, panel debates and celebration programs.

Baptist history in the Holy Land began with the conversion of a single Palestinian Arab by the name of Shukri Mousa. Mr. Mousa was converted during his travels in the United States and was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas by George W. Truett. Following his conversion, Mousa returned to his native Palestine with the fervent desire to plant a church. In 1911, he baptized his first convert and by the mid-nineteen twenties, the first Baptist church was established in the town of Nazareth.

The church was established with the help of Southern Baptist missionaries, who arrived in the nineteen twenties to aid Mr. Mousa in his ministry. Throughout the next several decades, Baptist missionaries played a vital role in the formation of Baptist work. This work was realized in the creation of a successful school, an orphanage and numerous church plants in neighboring villages.

Today, Baptists in Israel are represented by 3,000 members across 20 churches in the country. These churches are joined in the Association of Baptist Churches and are represented by the Evangelical Council of Israel. Nazareth, home to the original Baptist church, is also the location of a prominent school, Nazareth Baptist School and a new seminary, Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary.

The centenary program kicked off Thursday night with a celebration ceremony including songs, video greetings from American missionaries unable to attend in person, and the presentation of symbolic gifts to distinguished guests. Key note speakers were Monther Naum, Chairman of the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel and John Upton, Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.

Friday, May 13th opened with a service celebrating missions in the Holy Land. A recognition ceremony took place, honoring all past and present Southern Baptist missionaries. A sermon was given by Gordon Fort, Vice President of the Office of Global Strategy for the International Mission Board. Following a coffee break, a seminar on Baptist history in the Holy Land was presented, featuring an introduction by Yohanna Katanacho, Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College and Galilee Bible College. The seminar included a panel discussion with speakers Suheil Madanat, Ray Register, Ibrahim Simaan and Fuad Sakhnini. The panel was moderated by Bader Mansour.

Following lunch, a seminar on partnerships between the East and West was offered. The introduction was given by Philip Saad, pastor of Haifa Baptist Church. This seminar also included a panel discussion with speakers David Kerrigan, Peter Eyre, Shukri Shorrosh, and Wayne Shuffield. The panel was moderated by Phil Hill. The final event on Friday evening was a general celebration program featuring praise songs in English and Arabic, a time of sharing testimonies and memories, the presentation of symbolic gifts to honor the second generation of indigenous Baptist leaders, and a devotion given by Nizar Shaheen, Director of Light for All Nations ministry.

Saturday, May 14th began with a call to fellowship in the gospel and a session honoring pastors and leaders. A sermon was given by David Coffey, Global Ambassador for BMS World Mission. Following a break, the final program took place with an emphasis on commitment to God’s service in the future. The program included a summary of events, thanksgiving and pledges. Local and international leaders gathered at the front to lay hands on each other in prayer for future blessing. Lunch was provided for international guests by local families.

The event concluded with a special baptismal service at the Jordan River. About 20 people were baptized by Pastor Hani Sayegh from the Baptist Church of Acre and Pastor Munir Kakish from Ramla Baptist Church. Among those baptized were new converts from other faiths. An olive tree was planted near the Jordan in honor of 100 years of Baptist witness. John Upton, Monther Naum and Munir Kakish joined together to plant the tree. The atmosphere was one of joy and unity as the celebration concluded with the promise of a new generation dedicated to serve the Lord in the Holy Land.

Special thanks to:

Centenary Conference Team - Monther Naum, Rajai Samawi, Naeem Barhoom, Dima Naum, Samer Artool, Samar Samawi, Farha Makhoul, Lamis Kanboura, Majd Shoufany, Yosef Abu Sharki, Bader Mansour, Fadi Hanna, Amira Simaan, and Ayman Srour

The Linga Media Team – Yousef Abu Sharki, Nader Ghanadari, and Rani Espanioly

Translation Team – Salim Hanna, Eman Hanna, Elia Qupty, Manal Haddad, Botrus Mansour and Rani Espanioly

Music Team – Khaled Dalle, Fadi Hanna and choir, “His People” choir and instrumental team from Florida and Tennessee

Production Team – Kamar Media Production, directed by Waleed Kamar

For Celebration Photo Album - Click Here