Jerusalem is most
famous for being a holy city
for the world's three monotheistic religions --
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Unfortunately,
it is also famous for its political unrest and
violent history. To live in Jerusalem under
these circumstances is difficult but rewarding.
Here are some facts about this important
mission field:
Jerusalem, you who
kill the prophets and
stone those sent to
you, how often I have
longed to gather your
children together, as a
hen gathers her chicks
under her wings, but
you were not willing.
Look, your house is
left to you desolate.
For I tell you, you will
not see me again until
you say, 'Blessed is he
who comes in the
name of the Lord."
(Matthew 23:37)
There are 130,000+
Christians residing
in Israel. Of these Christians, approximately 83% are Arab.1
80% of Israeli Jews
are secular/traditional,
with only 20% actively practicing Judaism.2
In 2005, approximately 30% of Israeli Jews
considered themselves to be atheists.3
In 1914, Christians
made up 24% of the population in Palestine. Today, that number has fallen
to 2% in the West Bank due to
heavy emmigration out of Israel-Palestine.4
In a 2006 poll, 78% of Bethlehem Christians
cited Israeli military presence and the resulting
economic hardships as reason for the decline
of the Christian population in Palestine.5
If current trends
continue, many predict that
the Christian community in Palestine will be
"extinct" within one generation.6
