Experts on the plight of Holy Land Christians in Israel and Jordan will speak at the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation’s (HCEF’s) 7 International Conference on October 22 in Silver Spring, MD.

Experts on the plight of Holy Land Christians in Israel and Jordan will speak at the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation’s (HCEF’s) 7 International Conference on October 22 in Silver Spring, MD. Moderated by HCEF Co-Founder, Fr. Emil Salayta, the panel presentation will address the ways that the Holy Land Christians in these countries need support to maintain their Christian faith.

Former Melkite Greek-Catholic Archbishop of Galilee, Bishop Boutrous Mouallem will provide an opening greeting to meeting participants on behalf of the Palestinian Christians in Israel. His salutation will be followed by a presentation from Dr. Geries Khoury, Dean of the Theological Department at Mar Elias in Ibillin, Israel detailing the plight of the Palestinian Christian community as a minority within minority. His Excellency Karim Kawar, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the USA, will address the Jordanian Christian living conditions and the important role Christians play in Jordan.

Sir Rateb Rabie, HCEF President, noted that “Christians in Israel and Jordan have also been severely affected by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I am confident that this panel session will provide a voice for these members of the Holy Land Christian community to share their experiences and issues related to preserving their Faith as a minority.”

In addition to this presentation, topics of the conference will also include Christian education in the Holy Land, Christian Zionism, and the representation of peace and justice issues in the secular and Christian media. As in prior years, Three women – one Christian, one Jewish, one Muslim – will speak about their life stories and their vision of a resolution to the conflict in the Holy Land and the means by which coexistence can become reality and endure.

The conference theme, “United by Faith for Action”, calls attendees to collective action in support of our Holy Land Christian brothers and sisters by offering Western Christians concrete means to contribute to the long term preservation of the rich Holy Land Christian culture and tradition that faces extinction in the current climate.

Main Conference Schedule of Events
Friday, October 21 – Saturday, October 22
St. Luke Lutheran Church
9100 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Keynote address: Rev. Dr. Theodore Schneider, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Washington DC Synod
Conference program, visit this link: <https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/274.cfm>
Conference Honorary Committee, visit this link: <https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/276.cfm>
Conference Endorsement Letters, visit this link: <https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/273.cfm>

Awards Banquet
Friday October 21, 6:00pm-10:00pm
Holiday Inn Select Bethesda
8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814

Keynote address: Most Reverend Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land
Each year, at the time of the 7 International Conference, HCEF grants awards to people and institutions who have accomplished excellent work in support of the Christians of the Holy Land.
For details, visit: <https://hcef.org//index.cfm/ID/288.cfm>


Online Conference Registration: <https://gifts.hcef.org/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1000&Category_Code=ConferenceFee>

Hotel Accommodations
https://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/287.cfm
Holiday Inn Select Bethesda,
8120 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-2000