Why does Bethlehem weep luminescent tears disguised as twinkling strings of light? Until one week ago, there was not a single place in its public square that even gave a hint of the reason for this transformation into a holy day. No manger scene, no God-incarnate baby boy. No creche, no cradle, no cross. Even the Church of the Nativity was decorated only by a single large tree.
ISRAEL TODAY Early this month Shari Khoury brought this observation to her husband’s attention. Pastor Steven Khoury took note. He examined city streets and saw for himself what he had not noticed. The Khoury’s live in Bethlehem. Steven was raised there where his father, Dr. Naim Khoury, started Holy Land Ministries in 1980. During the past 32 years Steven, his family and the ministry’s congregations have experienced opposition to the gospel of Jesus the Messiah, God’s incarnate Word made flesh.
This sign in Bethlehem greets Christian worshippers coming to visit their holy sites.
There have been threats and muggings, fire bombs and murder. Many believers have fled the region, but the Khoury’s remain. Every Sunday, worship and teaching are broadcast from speakers atop their local church’s steeple, clashing with Islamic calls to prayer.
On December 5, Steven Khoury made a decision. He composed brief words, commissioned graphic art, hired a printer. In the middle of the night and into next day’s early morning light, workmen hung the composition on the city’s largest billboard. Across an expanse of 1200 square feet, in Arabic and English too, it reads:
And the response? Two weeks later, only days ago, Pastor Khoury received a call. Officials from the city were on the line, informing him that they were being asked to remove the sign. That same day vandals cut power to lights that illuminate the sign at night. The owner refused to repair them, fearing they would only be cut again along with an escalation of damage to his property. The print shop also received disturbing calls. Although the words were never spoken, the message was clear: take Jesus down.
Tonight the billboard is still up, lit now by portable lights from the back of a car. The cost is high. Thousands of dollars have been spent. So far individual donations to help with the expense total about $60.00.
In spite of public exposure on YouTube, radio, television and in written press, other Christian organizations in Bethlehem have reacted with resounding silence. So too Christian organizations throughout Israel.
Pastor Khoury has no regrets. “Scripture says that if we do not speak up for Jesus, for who he is and what he has done, stones will cry out. With God’s help, I will not remain silent. I will not be a quiet one rebuked by shouting rocks.”
Click Here to learn more about Holy Land Ministries and the brave work of the Khoury family.
E-mail: steven@holylandmissions.org
HolyLandMissions
Thank you very much for posting this. I have made a donation and alerted my circle of friends to do the same and to reach out to their churches and ask the leaders to take up this cause.
God Bless Pastor Khoury!
Thanks, ACC.
THANKS TO YOU, PASTOR KHOURY AND OF COURSE, to GOD..!!!SUCH ISSUES WILL LITERALLY “COVER THE EARTH..!!!”
Yes, thank you BNI for posting this. I too, made a donation. What an intrepid soul. A good, good man.
Cheryl, so glad to hear that people are supporting him. I fear there will soon be no Christians left in Bethlehem. Before the Palestinians took over, 85% of the population there was Christian. Now it is down to 10%.
An excellent and erudite post by BNI with the usual very high standard. Thanks and God Bless You for staning up for His Son Jesus…
I hadn’t heard of any problem in Bethleham
dragon, because the MSM don’t report it.
I posted it to my Facebook friends.
My GOD the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, BLESS this man’s work and him. For doing what all Pastors, Preachers and Rabbi need to do to bring the WORD of GOD to the fore without fear.
Thank you Bonni.
How dreadful! Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago!
No-one should be allowed to stop this celebration of remembrance of our Dear Saviour!
Thank you Pastor Khoury for raising Christ above the tumult of secularism and islam
muhammad and allah are just pagan garbage to be swept aside.
Thank you pastor Steven Khoury for your brave efforts on behalf of all Christians. God bless and protect your family.
Amen!! And it is so true that the Manure Stream Media will NEVER report this……And God Bless Pastor Khoury AGAIN!!………..
JESUS IS LORD! He was dead, is alive, and is soon to COME AGAIN!
MOHAMMED IS DEAD; HIS CULT IS SOON TO FOLLOW.
By the way, the first picture with the quran on it is not from Bethlehem. Second thing, the people wanted pastor khoury’s sign down not because it speaks of Christ or because it preaches about Christ. Palestinians, including christians, have issues with Khoury’s ministry because it teaches a distorted form of Christianity based on the Scofield bible.
Thaddeus– History may be repeated, but the TRUTH will always triumph. May the LIGHT who came into our world, enlighten stubborn minds.