Palestinian territories continued spreading the peace and "Gospel of Jesus Christ" Thursday, February 6, the Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) suggested.
Although Israeli soldiers stepped up security around Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born, the "BBC continues to conduct classes when possible," the College said in a statement obtained by BosNewsLife. "Please pray with us that the spring semester schedule will not be marred by further disruptions," the BBC said.
Despite Chinese, French and German opposition to America’s plans to strike at Iraq, there is concern in the region that United States will launch a military campaign, possible even in February.
WAR
Israel’s Haaretz newspaper quoted Israeli defense sources as saying late Wednesday, February 5, that they expect the U.S. to act "before the end of the month," especially after Secretary of State Colin Powell’s speech to the U.N. Security Council earlier in the day.
But the same sources said last night that "this won’t be a situation of rocket launches at us every afternoon, like in the last Gulf War. At most, we’ll experience one or two rocket attacks – and even that’s unlikely."
CURFEWS
However institutions such as the BBC are expected to further suffer under curfews, Christians suggested. Founded in 1979 by local Arab leaders, the BBC claims to have an average enrolment of 135 young, native Palestinian-Arab students in various courses, mainly taught in Arabic.
"The priority of the College is to prepare local leaders for Christian service in the Middle East. In addition to providing training for its students to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ among their own people, the College renders a powerful and much needed Christian witness in the community at large through various outreach endeavors," the BBC said.
The BBC stressed it is difficult to fulfill its mission in this situation. "The Christmas Outreach Program (for instance), which ordinarily takes place on the last Friday before Christmas, had to be postponed indefinitely due to curfews."
ARMY
"Originally it was hoped that the army would withdraw by New Year and the program could be rescheduled around the time of the Orthodox Christmas celebrations. However the army has not withdrawn and shows no indications that it will withdraw in the near future. The BBC has been obliged to tentatively reschedule the Christmas Outreach Program for Easter."
Yet despite the apparent difficulties the students "still have a sense of humor and they are still able to draw enormous strength from their faith in God," said Chris Galloway, who arrived from New Zealand to teach an intensive two-week class in Human Communications.
Galloway, who is supported by the Christian Tear Fund New Zealand and his church Life Point Assembly in Wellington said he pleased to be in Bethlehem.
CHALLENGES
"All of (the students) are facing terrific challenges, and I feel a great sense of privilege being with them," he said. Some of their parents or friends have lost land to settlers, the BBC added.
It mentioned specifically Tony and Nisreen Nassar as they continue to struggle with the crisis involving the confiscation of their family farm. Prior to the Israeli elections on 28 January, settlers reportedly entered the property and attempted to bulldoze a road, destroying trees and fences.
The BBC and other Christian leaders have urged prayers for the churches in Palestinian territories, at a time when more conflicts are expected ahead and during the expected war against Iraq.
