Experts on Christian Zionism will speak at the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation's (HCEF's) 7th International Conference on October 22 in Silver Spring, MD. Moderated by the Director for Public Policy and Advocacy at World Vision, Serge Duss,
Experts on Christian Zionism will speak at the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation's (HCEF's) 7th International Conference on October 22 in Silver Spring, MD. Moderated by the Director for Public Policy and Advocacy at World Vision, Serge Duss, the panel presentation will detail the differing views that Christian Zionists have from mainstream Christians and the detrimental impact this ideology has on the Holy Land Christian communities and peacemaking initiatives in the Holy Land.
Both panel presenters Reverend John Hubers with the Reformed Church in America and Rev. Robert O. Smith, formerly with Baylor University and now Chaplain at the University of Chicago, are noted theologians and authors on the subject.
According to Sir Rateb Rabie, HCEF Co-Founder and President, "Christian Zionists tend to label more traditional denominations, such as the Greek Orthodox and Catholics as being outside of the Christian Church&non-Christians. This makes it much easier for them to dismiss the Holy Land Christian community as God.s lesser children and to turn a blinding eye to the torment they live under as a result of the conflict."
HCEF Co-Founder, Father Emil Salayta, adds that "the irony of all this is the fact that it was our ancestors who spread Christianity across the four corners of the world. And, it was also the Savior that we all collectively revere who revealed "that which you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me."
In addition to this presentation, topics of the conference will also include Christian education in the Holy Land, representation of peace and justice issues in the secular and Christian media and Christians in Israel and Jordan. 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
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The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Inc. (HCEF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides support to the Christians of the Holy Land who live in Christian communities dating back in time to those who first heard Jesus Christ preach his gospel. HCEF.s programs strengthen children.s education, create housing, provide job creation, and preserve the infrastructure of the traditional Christian handicraft industry. HCEF Pilgrimages enable Western Christians to develop bonds of solidarity with their Christian brothers and sisters living in the Holy Land.
