Remarkable News from MENA.

Dear friends and colleagues, One of the highlights of every Institute is hearing from seminary leaders about what God is doing in their midst – in their seminaries, but more broadly among believers and the churches they serve.  Last year, for the first time, we heard stories of the remarkable revival that is taking place in a closed Muslim country, where thousands have come to know the Lord in hundreds of villages.  The church is growing faster in this country, compared to any other country in the Muslim world.  Today we heard an update from a representative, and now from two other countries which are represented at the Institute for the first time. The story from this country remains incredible!  Several months ago we heard by email from our brothers and sisters there that the government had issued a decree informing the churches that an older law forbidding Christian activity and forcing the closure of churches was going to be strictly enforced.  Many of us prayed for the Christians, and for God’s hand to work in the government.  But I confess, I didn’t pray along the lines of this remarkable turn of events: this afternoon we heard that three weeks ago, completely unexpectedly the Evangelical fellowship there received a letter that the government is now ready to recognize Christian churches!  These Christians are quite positive about this change of posture on the part of the government, and despite some reservations, believe that this new situation will be much more favorable for the sake of the Gospel. From another country, we heard the stories of harsh repression of believers, particularly during the last three years.  Now the political situation is in the midst of a dramatic transition.  While this might point to a greater measure of freedom and protection of rights for Christians, as in Egypt, it may swing in the opposite direction if extreme Islamicists fill the power vacuum.  There is a spirit of fear among some Christians in the face of the uncertainties and these unfavorable possibilities.  But God is working!  Before the revolution, each week saw perhaps one new believer; now the church is growing four times faster! A brother from yet another closed country shared similar stories of government oppression, also in the last three years.  Recently there has been a significant deportation of foreigners who have been suspected of Christian activity.  Our brother asked for prayer for their training program which started two years ago and now has 15 students meeting for intensive courses in homes.  Pray, he said, that national leadership will be built to replace the foreign workers who have been expelled.  Pray for protection for these national leaders in face of continued oppression. What an incredible privilege to hear how God is working in the Middle East and North Africa, in situations where there is repression or persecution, but where the Lord is at work, building His Church! Continue to pray with us this week as we come alongside the programs and schools in these countries which are forming leaders for the Church to become even more effective and increasingly sustainable. Warmly in Christ, Scott

The Middle East: What is to come?

Dear friends and colleagues,

We began today our Institute for Excellence in Cairo, Egypt, for about 55 leaders of seminaries and theological education programs which are situated in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe.  These are areas in which the Church (or at least, evangelicalism) is a decided minority – in the Middle East, of course, it is Islam which is dominant.  In countries like Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Serbia, the dominant religions are Catholic or Orthodox, or, more often now, secular.  So, despite the cultural differences, this minority status in face of a more dominant, often suppressive culture is a deeply felt common denominator (to speak nothing of the growing face of Islam in Europe).

For my reading on the trip I brought an issue of the Wilson Quarterly, the cover story of which asks the question, “The Middle East: What Next?”  The question, of course, is prompted by the tumultuous and ongoing changes which have taken place across the region: most prominently in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen.  The former president of Egypt, after ruling with a firm hand for 30 years, was put on trial last week.  Some have called this an “Arab Spring.”  Here in Egypt they talk about the “Revolution,” a term not filled with quite the same measure of hopefulness.  As one Egyptian commented, “It might turn out to be only a brief thaw, with another winter ahead of us.”

My taxi driver from airport thought that not much would change.  “It will be the same body, just a different head.”  The most common descriptions in answer to the question reflect a great deal of uncertainty.  For many this is accompanied by fear.  “Our fear is that the revolution is being hijacked by one segment of Egyptian society which wants to impose their will on all, and the hope for freedoms and rights for minorities which motivated many at the beginning of the revolution will again be suppressed by those who come to power.”  Last week the placards held by the crowds at Tahrir Square read “The Qu’ran is our constitution.”  And, “Christians have no place here.”  One can easily justify a spirit of uncertainty and fear in such circumstances.

But, a few Christians have expressed to me a spirit of hope.  “Egypt will never be the same.  We have found our voice.”  One seminary leader suggested that there are two possible paths for Egypt, but both will be good for the Church.  “Perhaps in the new government, Christians will have more rights for worship and expression.  Or, perhaps the country will become even more Islamicized.  But, that would also be good for the Church, as persecution would bring purification and strength.”

One of the major themes of this week, as we talk about the sustainability of the seminary, is role of the context.  First, the seminary is impacted by the context – as these seminaries serving in oppressive cultures know all too well.  Secondly, the seminary must be responsive to the context – what the real needs for church leadership and how do we shape our programs to meet those needs, both short-term and long-term?  And, we need to be willing to change as our context changes – not to change the function of theological education, but to change the forms in which we carry out that task.

Pray for us this week as we continue our exploration of these themes.  And, will you also join with me in prayer for Egypt road ahead.

Warmly yours in Christ,

Scott Cunningham

Now Approaching: Cairo

As I recall this past winter in Indianapolis, a reoccurring discipline comes to mind. Beyond the dramatically icy weather, I recall the commitment of our OC team to gather throughout January, convened to catch up on Cairo.  We conveyed steadfast familial prayers for our brothers and sisters throughout Egypt. From prayers of safety, to those of encouragement, our hearts were aligned in praying for the conclusion that would bring about the most glory toward the Lord; and steadfastness for those believers involved. We considered both those already in the fold, and the uncertain future for those who are still in need of hearing the Hope to which we hold.

During that time, floods of stories came in from our partner schools: students throughout that time received various opportunities to stop in the midst of this challenging time, and simply serve those around them. Many provided comfort in the chaos, protection in times of abandonment, and each story exemplified the boldness and courage our partners have, to seize every opportunity (as Paul exhorts us toward in Galatians 6).

We believe that Cairo will be a significant host for our Institute for the MENA region this week. With approximately 60 participants, this OC Institute will be the largest in this region so far! We  hope that this gathering will embody the changes the region has seen this past year, and incorporate some of the value shifts the peoples of these regions have identified. Pray for open hearts, innovative minds, and for the spirit of the attendees to be one of encouragement, collaboration and fellowship.

With a warm heart for the region,

Institute photo from 2010

Jessica Samples (Partnerships Liaison)