The property consists of a large stone building and a few tracts of land originally purchased by the IMB (then the Foreign Mission Board) for missionary residence. Since there are no longer missionaries living in Nazareth, the IMB moved to sell the property and use the proceeds to finance missionary housing in other countries. The Association of Baptist Churches (ABC) in Israel wanted the property for the continued use of its 20 churches but was unable to raise the IMB's 400,000 USD price. When the ABC was not able to raise the funds needed, the IMB agreed to lower the price as a token of love and as a contribution to the ministry in Israel.

The Baker's gift, along with the amount the ABC has raised will make it possible for Israel's Baptists to purchase the property. The ABC still requires to raise a substantial part of the purchase price which must be paid within the next 20 months.

The building and grounds will be used for establishing a Christian Center for Theological, Biblical and Cultural studies, serving the needs of the Churches both locally and nationally. The programs will be geared towards the training of pastors and Christian workers for the Evangelical Churches in Galilee and Israel, the training of lay persons and the Christian and cultural education of young people. The Center will include a small campus and hostel. This will facilitate an international initiative comprising a unique program of contextual studies in the Holy Land itself, for theology students, pastors on Sabbatical leave and pilgrims from around the world.

The character of the center and its proposed program is unique. It?s geographical location in Nazareth, the home town of Jesus, provides a contextual background unrivalled in the world for profound studies into New Testament origins and the foundations of Christianity. The underlying perspective of the center will find its focus on reconciliation, Christian unity, Interdenominational dynamics and Theological and Biblical research.

To learn more about this initiative, please contact at info@baptist.org.il