Linga-  Nazareth


On Saturday, October 6th, the Arab Evangelical Council in Israel hosted the monthly breakfast meeting for ministers and leaders at the Gardenia Hotel in the city of Nazareth. One of the primary topics of discussion was the subject of official recognition of the evangelical denomination by the state of Israel. As of this time, native evangelical believers have no official status in Israel and are denied certain rights that are extended to Greek Orthodox and Catholic Christians.

The meeting was chaired by Munther Naum, Executive Secretary of the Council, who shared the steps evangelical organizations are pursuing in the struggle to gain national recognition.  Pastor Nabil Samara presented a lecture on the Christian concepts of marriage and divorce, followed by Pastor Azar Ajaj who presented a view on marriage and divorce in the historical churches such as the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Church.

After a break, participants discussed papers presented by the Theological and Legal committees on a variety of controversial subjects. Lawyers, ministers and evangelical theologians took part in the discussions. The meeting concluded with a prayer by Pastor Edward Tannous and lunch.