Joel C. Rosenberg - Christianity Today publishes detailed report on Evangelical Delegation

New post on Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

Christianity Today publishes detailed report on Evangelical Delegation: “Egyptian Protestants appreciate listening tour by U.S. counterparts.” Here’s the full story. by joelcrosenberg This week, Christianity Today published a lengthy article examining our Evangelical Delegation's visit to Cairo to encourage Egyptian Christians and to build a relationship with President el-Sisi and senior Egyptian officials. It was a fair and balanced article -- here are a few excerpts, but I would encourage you to read it in full. EXCERPTS: Rosenberg emphasized the delegation was a personal initiative of all involved. There was no official link to Trump or the US government. “Meeting with this delegation is not an endorsement of us or our views, but an opportunity for [Sisi] to advocate Egyptian interests to an important American constituency,” said Rosenberg. “To be effective in Washington, he needs buy-in and trust from pro-Israel people.” But with the Americans the whole time was a somewhat nervous Egyptian. “When I heard the key organizer lives in Israel,” Andrea Zaki, president of the Protestant Churches of Egypt, told a subsequent meeting of influential colleagues, “I was shaking a lot.” But Zaki checked with friends, and queried Rosenberg’s dispensationalism and prophetic theology. Differences exist, but he was satisfied. “I was blessed by these meetings,” said Zaki, “and I never saw the president so open and comfortable.” Scheduled for one hour, the conversation with Sisi stretched to nearly three. Egypt has maintained a peace treaty with Israel since 1979, but there is much support for the Palestinian cause. The delegation also visited Jihan Sadat, the widow of President Anwar al-Sadat. He paid for the treaty with his life, assassinated six months later. Putting Zaki at ease was Rosenberg’s somewhat unusual commitment. “It bothers me that too many US evangelicals are either-or toward Israel and the Arab world,” Rosenberg told CT. “They are good people, but sometimes they don’t realize you can love both without violation of your core convictions. “It hurts God’s heart if we show such disdain to one side or the other.” It also assured Zaki that the delegation was coming to listen, and wanted to help Egypt. “If I don’t help advance the interests of Egyptian evangelicals, I won’t consider the trip a success,” said Rosenberg. “We come and we go, but this is their country.” The subsequent meeting with about 40 leading Protestant pastors, ministry leaders, and political figures was a highlight to many. Stuffed into a tight meeting room, they heard not only what God is doing in Egypt, but also their respect and appreciation for President Sisi. “The feeling in Egypt is that we are not being listened to in the West,” Ramez Atallah, head of the Bible Society of Egypt, told CT. “Any sympathetic ear by a Western leader is gratifying.”..... ——————— > To pre-order a copy of The Kremlin Conspiracy (which releases March 6th), please click here. > To order copies of the new mass market paperbacks of the J.B. Collins novels — my trilogy about ISIS plotting attacks on the U.S., Israel, Jordan and Egypt — please click here. Would you like to make a secure, tax deductible investment in The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net)? This is the non-profit organization that my wife, Lynn, and I founded in 2006 to educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, to care for the poor and needy in Israel (both Jews and Arabs) with food and other humanitarian relief, care for Holocaust survivors, care for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, and strengthen the Church in the epicenter. The Joshua Fund is a member in good standing of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Please click here to learn more. Thanks so much! Click here to read the 2016 Joshua Fund Donor Report — and watch the short videos, as well Subscribe (free) to the RSS feed (click here) and receive every new posting on this blog directly via email.

Chris Blue Praises 'The Goodness of My Jesus' After Winning 'The Voice' - HELLO CHRISTIAN

NEWSLETTER Worship Leader Chris Blue Praises 'TheGoodness of My Jesus' After Winning 'The Voice' Worship leader and 'The Voice' winner Chris Blue has given God all the glory for his stunning victory. "When I think about the good... Franklin Graham On Sermon Safeguard Bill: "Policing The Pulpit? Not In Texas!"  Franklin Graham has commented on the recent "Sermon Safeguard Bill" that was signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The bill prote... Bus Of Egyptian Christians Slaughtered By Gunmen, Dozens Killed  Another brutal attack has rocked the Coptic Christian community in Egypt, with at least 23 believers shot dead on a bus outside Cairo.&... What Is The Second Death And The Lake Of Fire?  So, I want to talk a moment about hell. That’s right, hell. Let’s pause for a moment and give thanks that those who kn... First Lady Delighted That Little Boy Will Receive New Heart After She Prayed With Him  First Lady Melania Trump has caused some real excitement amongst the Christian community after praying at many sites in Rome, and e... 5 Things Christians Should NEVER Say  As Christians, we can be guilty of saying things to people without thinking about the consequences upon them. Words are so powerful, an... Dr. Brown: 'Radical Islam Is The Violent Expression Of The Islamic Religion'  In the devastating wake of the Manchester terror attack, many are jumping to the assertion that the vast majority of the Muslim popu... Politician Who "Bodyslammed" Journalist Says Retirement Is "Not Biblical"  Montana Republican candidate Greg Gianforte, who is currently being charged with assaulting a reporter, has said that he does not believ... Target Refuses To Change Bathroom Policy Despite 500k Additional Signatures Since announcing its controversial transgender bathroom rules last year, retailer giant Target has seen stocks plummet and millions of Ame... 8 Signs You Are A Selfie-Centered Christian  We officially live in a selfie culture. In 2013, the Oxford Dictionary named “selfie” its word of the year. Let that marinate for... 76% Of Americans Believe God Played A Role In Creating And Guiding Mankind  Despite rising scepticism over the existence of God, a recent Gallup poll indicates that 76 percent (76%) of U.S. adults believe that... Archaeologists Find Clear Evidence of Jerusalem's Destruction 2,000 Years Ago  As Jerusalem begins its celebrations to mark 50 years since its reunification, archaeologists have made an incredible discovery. A team of r... These Bible Verses Saved Teen From Suicide After Suffering From Abortion Regret  Christa March was ready to end her life after suffering crippling regret from the decision to have an abortion. But just before she slashed... Tennis Star Margaret Court Refuses To Fly Quantas Because They Support Same-Sex Marriage  Christian tennis star Margaret Court has refused to fly with Quantas airlines due to their public support of sam-sex marriage. The... Alabama Lawmakers Approve Measure To Protect Christian Adoption Agencies  A landmark bill has been signed in Alabama to ensure the protection of Christian adoption agencies. House Bill 24 (HB24) states that... Manchester Muslims Fall Victim To Hate Crimes After Terrorist Attack  Muslim leaders have seen a surge in Islamaphobia and hate crimes against the Islamic faith following the Manchester bombing attack. Membe... North Korean Christians Facing Persecution "On Par" With Emperor Nero  Christians living in the communist state of North Korea are facing persecution that is "on par" with that of Roman emperor Nero, accor... Justin Welby, Obama And Angela Merkel Pay Faith-Filled Tribute To Manchester  In the wake of the terrorist attack that has rocked the city of Manchester, England, former President Barack Obama, along with the... Is It Better For Moms To Stay At Home With The Kids?  It is a question that many Christian couples wrestle with when starting a family: should the mom stay at home whilst the husband goes ou... What Does The Bible Say About Flirting?  You’re single, you’re walking with the Lord, you want to be married, and you start liking a guy or girl who also loves the... Giving Thanks For The Wearying Workload  There’s a pile of luggage at the bottom of the stairwell.  An array of minion-decorated backpacks, colorful duffels, and pink...

© HELLO CHRISTIAN, 2017

Widow's Joy: He Didn't Deny Christ When Beheaded

By Gary Lane

CBN News Chief International Correspondent

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Ad Feedback

CAIRO, Egypt -- Imagine ISIS kidnapped a relative of yours and then you see their brutal beheading on television. Many different emotions can take over, including anger, grief, and depression.

CBN News found a group of Egyptian Christians, however, who responded much differently. They are happy their family members stood firm in their faith.

Widow Mariam Farhat told us she, "was very proud" that her husband "stood firm in his faith and that he didn't deny Jesus."

That surprising reaction is happening 150 miles south of Cairo, in the village of Al Aour.

Residents there honor the sacrifice of 21 Egyptians brutally murdered last February by ISIS. Their pictures are prominently displayed in the sanctuary of Virgin Mary Church.

Thirteen attended the church. The martyrs left behind family members like 23-year-old Farhat. She became a widow when the militants beheaded her husband Malak Ibrahim in Libya.

She first learned of his murder when she saw the now infamous video on local television.

"We were very sad for the first two days, but we hadn't seen the video," she recalled. "When we saw them in the video calling to Jesus we were very comforted."

And that's why Mariam and other families say they are now joyful, not sad.

Bebawy Al Ham's brother Samuel was among those killed.

"We were always praying that God would make them steadfast in their faith," Bebawy told CBN News. "We were very happy with what they said on the video: 'Jesus Christ have mercy on us.' When we found out they had been killed for being Christian, we were very comforted, because these were God's children and he took them."

Although Samuel's wife and children now live without a husband and father, his family told CBN News their faith is stronger; they forgive the jihadists, and even pray for ISIS.

"I pray for them that God may open their hearts, and they may know the truth and know that what they do is wrong and then do the right thing," Bebawy said.

"Jesus told us to forgive every sin and we forgive them and we hope that they can come to know Jesus," he said.

Egyptian Christians are encouraged to know they are not alone. In the United States there's a growing movement among Christians to demonstrate unity and solidarity with those who are suffering for Christ in the Middle East.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, explained.

"What we thought was how could we identify and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being brutalized around the world for their Christian faith?" he said. "What tangible thing could we do, what practical thing could we do?"

Immediately, orange jumpsuits came to mind. Mahoney and others launched the #orangejumpsuitcampaign. The movement has expanded to orange scarves, sweaters, and ribbons.

"It's to remind our brothers and sisters that we love them, and we're standing with them and to remind decision makers here in America and across the globe--the free nations of the world--we cannot be silent on this issue," Mahoney said.

He said the response has been amazing. Non-Christians have joined in as well.

"A Jewish rabbi, to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians is dying his beard orange, which I think is incredible and I can't wait to see that," Mahoney said.

Mariam was encouraged after she viewed cell phone photos of Americans wearing orange.

"May the Lord make their love grow and grow. We are very happy with their love and we don't deserve their love," she told CBN News.

Mahoney said every five minutes around the world a Christian is killed for his faith.

"People don't understand the kind of barbarism and brutality they are going through," he said. "And you know when I visit persecuted Christians in the Middle East there is one thing that they always ask--it doesn't matter if it is Iraq, Syria, wherever it might be-- it's this: 'Please remember us!'"

And wearing orange on the job or at church helps people remember them.

"I think people need to understand that if we do not act quickly, the public expression of Christianity may be extinguished in the Middle East. As Elie Weisel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, says, "we must always take sides. Silence only helps the oppressor, never the oppressed,'" Mahoney said.

Mariam also has a message for others who have suffered or still face danger from ISIS.

"Don't be sad or cry. God will support us all," he said. "And he will fulfill his promise that he is the father of the orphans and the widows."

Watch video: Joy in Jesus