8 LESSONS: celebrating Pentecost in the context of war
In just two weeks we will again have the glorious privilege of visiting the church in Lebanon and Syria. We do not take these visits lightly. For us, they are sacred opportunities to learn, to encourage, and to witness the beautiful harmony of the body of Christ across borders and circumstances. It was exactly a year ago that we returned from a similar journey, and the lessons remain vivid in our hearts and minds. As we prepare to travel once more, we pause to recall eight lessons that shaped us then and continue to shape us now. We offer them again in the hope that they will echo the message of Pentecost.
THE SUFFERING CHURCH: and the sin of selective sympathy
A Christian village in Lebanon was recently completely destroyed by Israel. And the Church in the west was silent. It exposed an inconvenient truth that selective sympathy is the moment when loyalty for the perpetrator speaks louder than concern for the victim. For fifty years I have served the persecuted Church across the globe. And one of the most painful truths I have encountered is this: the compassion of the Church in freedom is not always consistent. We raise our voices boldly when persecuted Christians suffer at the hands of those we already view as enemies, but we grow noticeably quiet when persecuted Christians suffer at the hands of those we consider friends. This is the sin of selective sympathy
JESUS THE CONSTRUCTION WORKER: building hope in the Middle East
Jesus, the Son of God, construction worker while dwelling on earth as Emanuel – God with us – now overseeing a construction site in Lebanon that rises amongst the ashes. A construction that symbolises the One who came to establish peace amongst men, and peace with God
LEBANON: voices from the rubble
This is a field report from Lebanon with an update on the current situation and a reminder that when we have the ability to help someone in need, we should not remain passive.
WHERE HEAVEN TOUCHES EARTH: a reflection on our visit to Lebanon and Syria.
We’ve just returned from Lebanon and Syria, our hearts deeply stirred by the people of this region—their resilience, their boundless love, and their generous hospitality. In the midst of hardship, we encountered sacred moments where heaven touched earth. These encounters were not rare—they were radiant, rooted in faith and community. We carry their stories with us, and we invite you to share in the joy, the beauty, and the hope we witnessed.
FROM TRAGEDY TO ATROCITY: Standing with the Church in Gaza and Lebanon
If we don’t share the pain of Christians in Gaza and Lebanon, we are either not part of the body of Christ or we suffer from diseases called spiritual leprosy and spiritual AIDS.
DEMONIZING THE ENEMY: Israel and the manipulation of shadow projections
Holocaust and Genocide never, repeat never happen without lies about an evil “Other.” A single human being may hurt, or even kill, another human being. But in order to kill a hundred, a thousand, and certainly hundreds of thousands, the victims must be turned into something sub-or nonhuman. This is how the manipulation of shadow projections operate
LEBANON: The People’s Reaction to the War.
At diaLOGOS (www.dialogos.co.za) and The Third Way, we are grateful to have friends, partners, and co-workers in regions that are impacted by the current conflict in Gaza. One of our partners currently serving as a diaLOGOS field journalist in Lebanon, wrote the following report:
THE PALESTINIAN CRY: Through Lebanese Lenses
When observing the Gaza conflict, it, therefore, becomes an absolute necessity to listen to those who are directly affected, to those for whom the war is not a news broadcast but a deep reality – to those with skin in the game. It’s important to consider this context when discussing the conflict in GAZA.
One COVID-19 death, 6 souls secured for an eternity with God.
One COVID-19 death, 6 souls secured for an eternity with God. Yes, COVID-19 will never have the final say. We should therefore not fight it, but use. This is indeed a season of Kairos opportunities