Copts and the Middle East_
_our understanding of the situation in the Middle East and the role Copts could play_
We have chosen to serve Copts because we believe they are the door to the Middle East. They are the largest Christian minority in the region. They have churches, bibles, worship songs, and television programs and they can access them legally, in relative freedom. They have daily interaction with their neighbors, classmates, or coworkers. It is common for a Christian in Egypt to have several very close friends who are Muslim. Many Egyptians will tell you that the Muslims and Christians in Egypt are the same; they are brothers. While we might find fault in this statement it is definitely a unique situation in the Middle East. The Coptic population of Egypt is a sleeping giant that if awakened with the gospel would be an unstoppable force throughout Egypt and the Arab world. Egypt in general is a key player in the region. It is our belief that if the gospel were to take hold in Egypt it would quickly spread throughout the rest of the region, and Copts are the door through which the gospel enters. We can see this in practical ways but there is also a strong biblical case that supports this claim.
practical perspective_
Egypt is a key influence in the region and not only politically, but culturally and religiously. Of course politically, it seems that every conflict or negotiation that happens in the region Egypt has some role to play. Many saw the “Arab Spring” in early 2011 as a direct result of the revolution that happened in Egypt. Some go as far to say that “As Egypt goes, so goes the rest of the Middle East”. They have the largest population, the largest economy, and the largest military in the region. They are definitely key players. As a result, if Egypt has policies that are favorable to Christians and the Christian world view then it is likely that other Arab countries would adopt similar policies.
In addition to the political influence that Egypt has in the region, Egypt also plays a critical part in the social landscape of the region. Many Egyptian laborers travel to neighboring countries to find work, and many wealthy Arabs will travel to Egypt for vacation and business. Many of the popular comedy shows and soap-operas throughout the region are developed and produced in Egypt. The actors speak an Egyptian dialect of Arabic. As a result the Egyptian dialect is understood in most other Middle Eastern countries. So if the gospel would take root in the hearts and minds of Egyptians then it could spread more quickly across geopolitical barriers to other countries in the region.
Religion is the single greatest priority in virtually every Egyptian's life. Whether they are Christian or Muslim religion is of the utmost importance in daily life. You can see this in the thousands of mosques peppered throughout every village and street in the country, and in the pious lifestyle that many Egyptians display. You can hear this in the call to prayer broadcast throughout the country five times each day, as well as in the vast amount of religious vocabulary used in everyday conversations. Not even a simple question can be answered without saying either “Yes, if God wills”, or “No, I swear to God.”
The branch of Islam most adhered to in Egypt is Sunniism. Sunni Muslims make up about 80% of the world’s Muslim population, and the head leader for all Sunnis is located in Cairo. The Al Azzhar Mosque is one of the most prominent mosques and is one of the most respected schools of thought throughout the Muslim word. Many Muslims, and likely all Sunni Muslims, look to this Mosque for how to live and even how to think. If our God who “places the rulers in their place” could bring about heart change in the lives of these leaders think of the impact this could have throughout Egypt and the rest of the region, and the world.
It is our conviction that the Coptic Christians, making up 10-15% of the population of Egypt, and are uniquely positioned to make a profound impact. Indeed they are the door to the rest of the Middle East.
We have chosen to serve Copts because we believe they are the door to the Middle East. They are the largest Christian minority in the region. They have churches, bibles, worship songs, and television programs and they can access them legally, in relative freedom. They have daily interaction with their neighbors, classmates, or coworkers. It is common for a Christian in Egypt to have several very close friends who are Muslim. Many Egyptians will tell you that the Muslims and Christians in Egypt are the same; they are brothers. While we might find fault in this statement it is definitely a unique situation in the Middle East. The Coptic population of Egypt is a sleeping giant that if awakened with the gospel would be an unstoppable force throughout Egypt and the Arab world. Egypt in general is a key player in the region. It is our belief that if the gospel were to take hold in Egypt it would quickly spread throughout the rest of the region, and Copts are the door through which the gospel enters. We can see this in practical ways but there is also a strong biblical case that supports this claim.
practical perspective_
Egypt is a key influence in the region and not only politically, but culturally and religiously. Of course politically, it seems that every conflict or negotiation that happens in the region Egypt has some role to play. Many saw the “Arab Spring” in early 2011 as a direct result of the revolution that happened in Egypt. Some go as far to say that “As Egypt goes, so goes the rest of the Middle East”. They have the largest population, the largest economy, and the largest military in the region. They are definitely key players. As a result, if Egypt has policies that are favorable to Christians and the Christian world view then it is likely that other Arab countries would adopt similar policies.
In addition to the political influence that Egypt has in the region, Egypt also plays a critical part in the social landscape of the region. Many Egyptian laborers travel to neighboring countries to find work, and many wealthy Arabs will travel to Egypt for vacation and business. Many of the popular comedy shows and soap-operas throughout the region are developed and produced in Egypt. The actors speak an Egyptian dialect of Arabic. As a result the Egyptian dialect is understood in most other Middle Eastern countries. So if the gospel would take root in the hearts and minds of Egyptians then it could spread more quickly across geopolitical barriers to other countries in the region.
Religion is the single greatest priority in virtually every Egyptian's life. Whether they are Christian or Muslim religion is of the utmost importance in daily life. You can see this in the thousands of mosques peppered throughout every village and street in the country, and in the pious lifestyle that many Egyptians display. You can hear this in the call to prayer broadcast throughout the country five times each day, as well as in the vast amount of religious vocabulary used in everyday conversations. Not even a simple question can be answered without saying either “Yes, if God wills”, or “No, I swear to God.”
The branch of Islam most adhered to in Egypt is Sunniism. Sunni Muslims make up about 80% of the world’s Muslim population, and the head leader for all Sunnis is located in Cairo. The Al Azzhar Mosque is one of the most prominent mosques and is one of the most respected schools of thought throughout the Muslim word. Many Muslims, and likely all Sunni Muslims, look to this Mosque for how to live and even how to think. If our God who “places the rulers in their place” could bring about heart change in the lives of these leaders think of the impact this could have throughout Egypt and the rest of the region, and the world.
It is our conviction that the Coptic Christians, making up 10-15% of the population of Egypt, and are uniquely positioned to make a profound impact. Indeed they are the door to the rest of the Middle East.