New Church Development in Egypt - March 2022 Update
Having just returned from Egypt (with a small team) after a pandemic-induced 18-month hiatus, it was a joy to reunite with our partners from the Synod of the Nile and to be able to visit 10 churches that are active in the church planting movement. Many of these churches are fairly recent church plants themselves, like these two in some of the newer “satellite cities” outside Cairo….
Friday is a busy day around most Presbyterian churches in Egypt with Sunday Schools often rockin’ the sanctuary on what is a day off from school and work in this part of the world. And indeed, the church in 10th Ramadan City is no exception! The church began gathering in the home of an elder as this new “satellite city” was rising up from the sands. Now, just a few decades later, its imposing presence is a beacon to the community of Christ’s presence.
We joined with the little ones for singing and sat with the middle schoolers as the lesson focused on the transition into teen years and all the physical and emotional changes (boys and girls were separated for this). Coffee and snacks with the elders brought us up to speed on the ministries and big dreams of this vibrant congregation. With their pastor, Rev. Isaac Estafanous, away at Fuller Seminary for graduate work, a “freshly minted” pastor has stepped in to lead: Rev. Michel Mesho Nagy. But Mesho’s main focus is on planting a church FROM this church in another area of town. We visited that empty piece of land, scooped up handfuls of sand, and lifted them to God, dedicating this now-empty site for fulsome Kingdom purposes, soon to take form!
That same evening, and with only a few hours to spare before heading to the airport for our return home, we managed to squeeze in one more church visit – El Obour City – one of 16 new satellite cities which surround greater Cairo. I first saw this church six years ago when it was only a concrete shell, and the congregation was meeting off-site. With large parts of the building now finished, we drove up as the sun was setting, bathing this new worship and ministry center in a rosy glow.
Rev. Gohar Azmy and his elders welcomed us like family, and although we could not stay long, we caught a glimpse of the congregation’s vision to serve their community in Christ’s name, with dreams for a small community service center next door and plans for a church plant across town well underway. We lingered long enough to join in singing which is a prelude to the Friday evening worship time, a beautiful ending to our time in Egypt!
Join us on Thursday, March 17, when our Third Thursday Treks return, offering a chance for a bit of “armchair” travel. In this 45-minute Zoom call, beginning at 12 noon EST, we will travel virtually together, and I will share more about the rich time we spent with our Presbyterian family in Egypt, just a few weeks ago.
Want to know more about how God is at work in Egypt? In early November (1-12), I plan to lead a team back to Egypt with our time divided between Cairo and Aswan, which will include a day trip to the magnificent temples at Abu Simbel, built by Ramses the Great. Details will soon be available on our website.
Marilyn Borst, Associate Director for Partnership Development
Read more about New Church Development in Egypt HERE.
Outreach works closely with the Pastoral and Outreach Ministries Council of the Synod of the Nile which has identified three areas in which God is calling the church to pursue outreach: 1) revitalization of village churches, some centuries old and primarily in Upper Egypt 2) planting new churches in urban suburbs and 3) planting churches in the new “satellite” cities. The Council works closely with the ETSC which is producing excellent students who are called and equipped for ministry in a remarkable season for the church’s mission.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of New Church Development in Egypt. All gifts of any size are welcomed. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.