PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 28 February 2017


Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews Share Their Reconciliation Journeys

Twenty-four Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews met in Vrahati, Greece, January 23-26, 2017 for four days of discussion, prayer and joint activities.

The conference was sponsored by the Lausanne Initiative for Reconciliation in Israel/Palestine (LIRIP). Its vision is “to promote reconciliation within the body of Christ and our wider communities in Israel and Palestine by creating a network that encourages, under the auspices of the Lausanne Movement, models of gospel-based, Christ-centered reconciliation that will have prophetic impact in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

The participants shared their personal journeys in reconciliation and gave presentations on the Theology of the Land, the Bridging of Israeli and Palestinian Narratives of the Conflict, and Questions of Justice and Joint Action. The sessions were facilitated by Rev. Dr. Christopher Wright (Langham Partnership) and Rev. Dr. Trevor Morrow (Presbyterian General Assembly of Ireland).

The 2017 meeting built on the work of the Larnaca Statement on Reconciliation issued at the 2016 conference. Future plans include joint initiatives, theological consultations, and more extensive networking with others wishing to be involved. Follow up events in Israel-Palestine are being planned for 2017-2018.

Co-chair Botrus Mansour said “This was a very productive meeting. The fellowship and discussions are greatly needed, and our unity in the Body of Christ challenges us to be reconciled with one another as a demonstration of the practical implications and outworking of the Gospel.”

Co-chair Lisa Loden said “I feel that we have reached an important stage in our meetings – we are building a group who are serious about every aspect of reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the biblical, theological, historical and practical aspects of building peace. This is a challenge to us in our divided land and society, but vital for bringing hope to the next generation.”

Issued by:
The LIRIP Steering Committee, consisting of the two co-chairs, Mrs. Lisa Loden and Botrus Mansour, LLB; Mrs. Grace Mathews, The Lausanne Movement; Dr. Salim Munayer; Dr. Richard Harvey; the Very Rev. Dr Trevor W. J. Morrow, The Presbyterian Church of Ireland and Rev. Dr. Christopher Wright, International Ministries Director of the Langham Partnership.

For more information and details of future meetings, contact the Lausanne Movement