A Sense of Belonging

How Sunday School Sparked Revival in Egypt’s Oldest Church

This article was first published at Christianity Today on June 19, 2018. My wife had just dropped off our kids at the local Coptic Orthodox Church we attend in Cairo and sat down with her Egyptian friend at the adjacent church-owned cafe. After initial pleasantries, she spoke of this current article I was then researching. … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Homeland Future

God, Give Egyptians their right representation. May they bear well the concerns of their district. But in whose name? Many MPs have publicly signaled their intention to switch parties, and the Future of a Homeland is poised to receive them. Doing so would make them the largest party in parliament. Some are current independents, leaving … Continue reading →

Christ at the Checkpoint in the Age of Trump

This article was first published May 25 at Christianity Today. Fares Abraham grew up in the West Bank village of Beit Sahour, where tradition says the angels sang “Peace on Earth” to the startled shepherds. But his clearest memory is of his mother shot in the back by an Israeli soldier as she shuffled … Continue reading →

Abortion and its Complications, in Egypt

Ireland is in fierce debate over its future with abortion. Such high-stakes battles are often called a culture war. Abortion, like war, is a terrible thing. Even if one believes it is necessary, it is still death. Defining it otherwise, depending on one’s convictions, makes it almost worse than war. It is the prevention … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Fasting

God, Bless those who deny themselves as they deny their stomach. Bless those who celebrate with others as they celebrate your mercy. Bless those also, who push either to greater piety. And if in their encouragement they lack piety themselves, God, bless them, too. May they deny their pride. May they discover your mercy. May … Continue reading →

In Shadow of Death, Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews Relapse on Reconciling

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on May 21. Hanna Maher’s wife is nine months pregnant, due any day now, with only four hours of daily electricity. Her two older boys scurry about in the dark, kept ignorant by parents about the dead at the border. But it is hard to be … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Gaza Again

God, By now, the tragedy is well known. Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza were killed by Israeli fire at the border separating the two territories. Some were crossing illegally. Others were protesting. Decide between the narratives, God. There is only one truth, however nuanced. There may be guilt widely spread. There may be ample justification. … Continue reading →

Christians to “Maintain Presence” and “Avoid Victimhood,” Says Syria Expert

Following up on my recent article for World Watch Monitor, here is Part II of my interview with Miles Windsor, head of advocacy for Christian charity Middle East Concern. These questions and answers were cut for length from the original, but I am pleased to share them here for the consideration of readers. … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Uber, Iran

God, If the world is being remade, make it well. Peace is pending in North Korea, while Iran is thrown in doubt. Taxis fall out of favor, as private conveyance newly legalizes. And metro prices have risen again. Give guidance to Egypt in wading the waters. The region has already been shaken. Will it shake … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Return to Roots

God, Egypt strives to be a good neighbor. She was once also a good host. What future does she desire? What do you? Over the past many months Egypt has cultivated its relationship with the Mediterranean nations of Greece and Cyprus. The have a sea to share, natural gas to protect, and economies to integrate. … Continue reading →

“Avoid Persecution-of-Christians Label,” Says Syria Expert

From my new article for World Watch Monitor: As the conflict in Syria continues, Jayson Casper sat down with Miles Windsor, head of advocacy at Christian charity Middle East Concern, to discuss where Syrian Christians’ allegiance lies, whether those who fled the country may return, and how Christians in other countries can help. Jayson Casper: … Continue reading →

Sectarian Cinema: Oscars Highlight Muslim Defense of Persecuted Christians

This article was first published in the May print edition of Christianity Today. Two years ago, the heroic actions of some Kenyan Muslims brought their majority-Christian nation together. The Oscar-nominated film depiction of that heroism may do so again—if many people watch. Watu Wote is a fictional retelling of real-life horror. In December 2015, al-Shabaab … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Internet, Puddles

God, It is hard to fix everything at once. Help Egypt prioritize well. To boost the struggling economy, the government emphasized the importance of e-commerce. Steps will be taken to promote the sector. A local company is poised to pioneer an Uber-like regional bus service. And Google offers free digital training in Arabic. It is … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Education Reform

God, Egyptians have long lamented the state of their schools. Often overcrowded with teachers poorly trained. Private lessons necessary for tests perhaps manipulated. Rote memorization required in subjects not fitting the needs of the nation. The list is long. The school year is short. But with the help of the World Bank and a minister … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Russia, Air and Chemical

God, For the first time in two years, Aeroflot returned to Cairo. Russia had suspended all air travel following a terrorist attack on a tourist carrier, and security precautions still prevent direct flights to the popular Red Sea resorts. Let it not happen again, God. But as Russian-Egyptian relations return to normal, give discernment in … Continue reading →

In Time for Orthodox Easter, A Turkish Declaration of Christian Unity

In the waning years of the Ottoman Empire, a delegation of imams approached the sultan in complaint. Western pressure forced the state to allow Christian churches to ring their bells. “Do they all ring at the same time?” the sultan asked. No, he was told. “Then don’t worry,” he replied, “until they can agree.” Perhaps … Continue reading →

Happy Orthodox Easter, from the Egyptian President

Happy belated Easter, to Protestant and Catholic Christians who celebrated last week. But having enjoyed either “Pascha” or “Paas” (or both), please do not be remiss in remembering your Orthodox brothers and sisters today. After all, even the president of Egypt extends his greetings — and more. “I call on all of us to remember … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Re-Election

God, The election is over, and there were no surprises. President Sisi won re-election with 90 percent of the votes cast. His opponent – 3%. Spoiled ballots – 7%. Overall turnout – 41%. It is a respectable show of support. Critics say the best candidates were discouraged or prevented from running. They say the government … Continue reading →

Pope Tawadros’ Weekly Sermon, in English

Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church was known as the ‘teacher of generations.’ I had the privilege of attending the beloved 87-year-old deliver one of his Wednesday weekly sermons back in 2010. Five years later, in post-revolutionary Egypt, I watched his successor Pope Tawadros continue the tradition. He preached on Esther, and for … Continue reading →

Religious Liberty: For the Health of the Whole World

From my recent article published at The Media Project: But for Durie, the issue is far greater than the right of one person to believe what they want – even as human rights always concern the individual, each and every one of which is sacred. It is a lonely battle, he laments, though much depends … Continue reading →