Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Once again it is that glorious Eastertide when hearts and minds of all Christians return to Jerusalem and the Holy Land.  It is the time of resurrection when Christian hope marks us all. The terrible events of Good Friday turn miraculously to the triumphant happenings of Easter Sunday. It is the time when all had looked lost and dead but became redeemed and alive. Rejoice, it is Easter! Hallelujah!

On behalf of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF), I send my special greetings to all those working to sustain and strengthen the body of Christ in the Holy Land.  These are indeed very difficult days for the Palestinian Christians. The tensions of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict touch every aspect of life- political, economic, social and religious.

But despite the crushing circumstances all around them, Palestinian Christians have taken courage and hope from the eternal Easter message of God’s providence in His good time.

HCEF is proud to publish What Jerusalem Means To Us: Christian Perspectives And Reflections, which is more timely today than ever before. As we turn our eyes toward Calvary this Holy Week, let us take time to reflect on the how modern day Christian Palestinians experience the Holy City that witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

For our HCEF family, Easter is the core of our faith. At Easter, God entered history and took it upon Himself to redeem the fallen sinful world.  The Christians of the Holy Land are still a precious remnant of Christ’s Church and we at HCEF are dedicated to standing with these fellow believers and helping them at this very difficult time.

May the Lord bless all of our HCEF family this Easter and in the days and months to come.  Thank you for your prayers and support for the work of HCEF on behalf of Palestinian Christians.

Happy Easter!

Rateb Rabie, KCHS
HCEF President and CEO