As one of a small number of leadership training centers for evangelical Christians in Egypt, OC partner Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) has seen the need to help Arab and non-Arab Christians better grasp the 2,000 year history of Christianity in the Middle East. To meet this challenge, ETSC has established the Center for Middle East Christianity to provide an institution to preserve and explore the heritage of the Church in the region. Through Biblical texts, Arabic Christian theological reflection, Coptic history and missional expression, Christians from East and West can dig deeper into the native context of Middle East Christianity.

The Center has hosted public lectures on topics such as Arab Christians in Arabia before Islam, Egyptian Christianity and Christian Zionism. Continuing education conferences have been held for Egyptian pastors, and several group visits and special programs have taken place.

The Institute of Middle East Studies (IMES) at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) in Lebanon seeks to bring about positive transformation in thinking and practice between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East and West. By offering first hand exposure, study and research opportunities in the Arab Middle Eastern context and developing resources, the IMES believes it has a very important role to play in educating the world on the realities of the Middle East, Islam and Christian-Muslim relations.

One IMES program intended to help is the Middle East Conference held annually in June. The conference is designed to increase general awareness and dispel mutually-false perceptions between people of different religions and cultures. "We invite people to assess their prejudices and negative feelings about Islam and be willing to learn not only about the other but also from the other," says Martin Accad, PhD., IMES Director. For more on the positive effects of each conference, click here.

The 2008 conference theme was "Islam, Its Message and Law, and the Future of Our Societies." Christian and Muslim religious leaders shared their faith's perspective, displaying mutual trust and openness, and participants and students had a time of interfaith interaction. Rev. Nabil Sara of Baghdad, Iraq, said, "It was far beyond my expectations and has changed my thoughts and concepts considerably, particularly...how we can reach out with the message of love to people from different backgrounds such as in Iraq."

My nine-year-old daughter and I recently watched a delightful movie, Kung Fu Panda. The panda, Po, dreams of becoming the Dragon Warrior someday. Everything worked contrary to his dream starting from his physical inability to everyone's lack of confidence in him, even his stepfather. Finally, Po was able to become the Dragon Warrior when he believed in himself and when a Kung Fu master believed in him. At the end of the movie, as you might expect, the Dragon Warrior was able to defeat the evil monster. I find Christians of the Middle East are in a situation similar to Po's.

Sometimes due to the enormous social, religious and political pressures, many lose confidence in themselves. Some believe in what they are able to do to further God's Kingdom, but they lack the confidence of others in them. It is so crucial that the isolated Christians of the Middle East sense and experience the fellowship of the worldwide Church.

I believe theological training institutions and programs in the Middle East are similar to the Kung Fu master. They exist to bring hope to people like Po. They strive to equip women and men with the necessary skills to combat the monster of fundamentalism, ignorance and violence. Moreover, as Po brought peace to the valley and its inhabitants enjoyed freedom, these institutions and programs are bringing peace and reconciliation with God, with one another and with God's creation. Let us pray for more Pos and Kung Fu masters in the Middle East!

*Name has been changed for security purposes.

OC has been challenged by an exceptionally generous donor to raise $1,252,500 before the end of 2008 for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Every dollar raised will be matched to support several strategic projects, strengthening evangelical training centers in the MENA region. To read more about the projects this match will fund, click here.

The MENA region presents a complex and
ever-changing picture of Christianity. Despite the growing influence of other religions, strong and ancient communities of Christians exist throughout the region. Some areas are seeing declines while others suggest Christianity is growing. Expanded leadership training opportunities for the Arabic-speaking Christian Church are vitally important.

We are grateful for your prayerful consideration of this match and for partnering with us to advance Christian leaders who in turn strengthen the Church in the Middle East. We pray that together we will glorify God in His world. Gifts can be made online, by mail or by phone. Donors are also encouraged to determine if their contributions may qualify for matching gifts provided by their employers. Contact OC today if you would like to multiply your investment!

OC's sixth 2008 Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development reconvened July 21-25 in Accra, Ghana; no Institutes took place in June. The event was hosted by OC partner Ghana Christian University (GCU). 24 leaders from 15 strategic training programs in the region attended the Institute, representing Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo and Uganda.

During the five-day Institute themed "Leadership Matters," participants focused on topics designed to equip them to more effectively lead their schools. All presentations and materials were available in French and English.

"[Interaction at the Institute] went really well," one Institute participant said. "The speakers engaged all participants in a

The next Institute for Excellence will take place September 8-12 at Evangelical Theological College (ETC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

[See Accra Institute speaker list in sidebar]

Please commit to pray with OC over the following Middle East prayer requests:

• Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo's (ETSC) faculty summer visits to churches in isolated areas of Egypt
• Easy issuance of visas for Iraqi students to study at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary (JETS)
• Political and economic stability in Sudan
• Finalizing a strategy to enhance theological training programs in three Middle Eastern countries

• For the improved political and security situation in Lebanon
• For another successful conference on Christian/Muslim issues at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary's (ABTS) Institute of Middle East Studies (IMES) in Lebanon