Terry and I always make a point of worshiping with Bethlehem Evangelical Church whenever we are visiting the West Bank. On this occasion I took 
some time to visit and have coffee with pastor Nihad Salman. I specifically wanted to talk with him about what it is like to be a Christian leader in the Occupied Territory.
Pastor Salman not only answered my questions, he provided a moving example of what it means to live a life devoted to faithful Christian discipleship. The Christian population in Gaza and the West Bank has dropped dramatically in recent decades, not so much because of “Muslim extremism” (though it certainly can be difficult for Christians to live freely in a predominately Muslim society) but because of the many pressures and insecurities created by Israel’s military occupation.
Pastor Salman’s repeated message to me were these words of Jesus, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross
and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)
Whoever loses their life for Jesus’ sake will find it.
Whoever works to save their life will lose it.
Nihad repeated those words over and over again in the course of our conversation…with a great big smile on his face. And he shared story after beautiful story of the ways in which God’s grace is changing lives in the West Bank.
Many members of Nihad’s extended family have moved to the United States. They regularly call trying to persuade him to relocate with his family as well. “You can pastor another church here in America,” they insist. “Your children will have more opportunities with better educational choices. Get out of there while you can.”
Becoming a parent can sometimes become the greatest stumbling block to
faithful discipleship. Which is the reason Jesus warns us that his followers must love Him more than their own children. He said, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
So, this is what Nihad tells his family living in America: “Yes, my children could have better opportunities for important universities and high-paying jobs in the United States. Yes, they may only have basic employment here and never make much money or have the opportunities your children will have.”
“But Jesus has called me to be a pastor in Bethlehem. He tells me that I must lose my life for His sake if I am to find true life at all. And that includes the lives of my children. They, too, must learn to lose their lives for Jesus. And we are all finding a wonderful life of mercy and grace here in the West Bank.”
Yes, I had the privilege of drinking coffee, praying and reading scripture
with a saint in Bethlehem.
I was encouraged by Nihad’s model of genuine Christian discipleship, for here is a man who has said No to himself and Yes to our crucified, resurrected Lord Jesus.
This is what real Christianity looks like in every part of the world.
Please remember to pray for Pastor Salman, his family and the ever-expanding ministry of Bethlehem Evangelical Church.
P.S. This particular church is not alone. Over the years, Terry and I have worshiped with a wide variety of Christian churches throughout the Bethlehem area. The gospel is being proclaimed widely by many faithful men and women in Palestine.
