In times of struggle, WCC accompanies the journey in the Holy Land

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay preached at the Ascension Church on the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. Photo: Joel Carillet/WCC

During a time of war, struggle, and pain, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is accompanying the Churches and the people in Palestine and [Israel] on their journey with Prayer, action, and hope for a better future.

Ascension Church at Augusta Victoria in Jerusalem. From left to right: Rev. Meghan Aelabouni (ELCA), Rev Dr. Ibrahim Azar (ELCJHL), Rev Dr. Jerry Pillay (General Secretary, WCC), Rev. Gabi Aelabouni (ELCA), Rev. Fursan Zu'mot (ELCJHL). Photo: Joel Carillet/ WCC.

On 18 February, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay preached at the Ascension Church on the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. The sermon, based on the lectionary reading from Matthew 4:1-11, focused on the devil’s tempting of Jesus in the wilderness. 

Pillay pointed out that we all struggle at times with understanding and doing God’s will, and related this to the struggle in the Palestine context, especially now in the context of the war in Gaza. 

He called on people of faith to surrender like Jesus to the will of the Father and to be assured, even in the context of violence and uncertainty, that they can have security in Christ. 

He ended the sermon by asking, “And why is it that we can trust our security in Christ?” In answering this question, he reflected on Roman 8:31, that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” said Pillay. “We can put our hope and trust in God for a better future and a better world with peace and security for all.”

He was hosted by His Eminence Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land,

“We are here on a special mission,” said Pillay. “We have come to express our solidarity in what’s happening in [Israel] and Palestine. Part of our task as Christians is to pray for peace and to work for peace.”

Pillay described the task of the WCC as working with people in the local context, and trying to journey with them in their experiences—in essence a Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.  

Bishop Azar gifted the WCC general secretary a Lutheran cross as a sign of accompaniment. The church also hosted a breakfast for Pillay and the WCC delegation. 

As head of the delegation, the WCC general secretary is being accompanied by Dr Audeh Quawas (WCC central committee member), Marianne Ejdersten (WCC director of Communication) and Yusef Daher (coordinator, WCC Jerusalem Liaison Office)…

This news was originally publsihed on the website of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Please click here to read the full text.