Update: Construction nearing completion on partner school’s Christian center

OC partner Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) has established the Center for Middle East Christianity as they have seen the need to help Arab and non-Arab Christians better grasp the 2,000 year history of Christianity in the Middle East and sought 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.

In terms of programming, the Center has continued to offer four to five public lectures a year to the community. A recent topic on “Arab Christians in the Arabian Peninsula Before the Advent of Islam” attracted 170 people, including reporters from several Egyptian newspapers (both Christian and Muslim). Continuing education conferences have been held for Egyptian pastors, and several group visits and special programs have taken place as well.

Construction for the CMEC commenced in 2005. The Center is being added to the top of ETSC’s historic 1926 main building. The style will emphasize the unique Middle Eastern Christian nature of the Center and the rich contributions of Middle East Christians in terms of architecture and artistic design throughout the history of the region. ETSC reports that they are nearing the completion of the design and anticipate the final phase of construction to begin in September. OC significantly contributed to this project.