What is the role of Christians in responding to global crises? In a world filled with conflict and suffering, Christians need to understand how people are affected so we can find ways to offer help and compassion. We can play a significant role in humanitarian efforts, particularly by bringing food, water, and hope to those impacted by war.
On a recent trip to Gaza, Pastor Jeff Vines says he had his eyes opened to the difficult situations people there are facing. Jeff recently joined Vision Christian Media’s CEO Phil Edwards to share what he saw, the problems people are dealing with, and how Christians can bring hope.
‘First of all,’ says Jeff, ‘you can’t go all the way into the city. That’s impossible. The closest you can get to is seeing some of the tunnels, the kibbutz, and the outskirts of the city. Nobody goes in; it’s just not safe. It looks like a war zone. There are still buildings standing, but many people have been displaced.’
The Human Cost
Many aid organisations are trying to provide water, food, and basic necessities. The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) plays a dual role in eliminating terrorists while also taking care of war casualties. ‘It’s incredible what they are doing,’ says Jeff. ‘No other nation has ever been asked to do what they are doing at the same time.’
While in Gaza, Jeff was approached by two influential rabbis, Rabbi Glick and another leading Messianic Jewish Rabbi. They asked if his church would be willing to recruit Christians to bring food and water to the people of Gaza. ‘They’re actually trying to raise money and work with Christians in America to go into Gaza,’ says Jeff.
Pray for Peace and Wisdom
Jeff met one of the top five commanders in the IDF, who thanked him for visiting during such a volatile time. ‘He walked me through how he has been given body after body to bury daily,’ says Jeff. ‘The IDF buries their soldiers and feels that most of the hostages are dead. They hope and pray, but they’ve already heard the tragic stories involving babies and elderly men.’
The commander presides over these funerals and is deeply affected by the pain and suffering on both sides. ‘He weeps for the Palestinian children as well as his soldiers,’ says Jeff. ‘The leaders in Israel are torn between protecting their people and acknowledging the suffering in Gaza. They value all human life, and this is a religious and spiritual tension for them.’
Jeff says he often asks his friends what they would do if people from another country came into their land, killing and causing destruction, and hiding amongst civilians. ‘Israel is in a constant state of dealing with such threats,’ he says. ‘The leaders are grappling with how to move forward while maintaining their moral and ethical standards. Orthodox Judaism places a high value on all human life, especially the protection of the innocent. They are trying to figure out how to protect their people and the next generation in Gaza.’
The Role of Christians
While many of us are far removed from the crisis in Gaza, Christians still have a role to play in responding to global crises. ‘I was angry at my ignorance,’ says Jeff. ‘The first thing I would say is to get well informed. Don’t just listen to conservative or liberal media. Try to find voices you can trust.’
‘Second, I would say, please pray for the peace of Israel. We’re told to do that. Pray that somehow God would cause a man or a woman to rise up and lead the people toward peace.’
However, Jeff believes that you can’t have peace without a strong deterrence of evil. As Bonhoeffer famously said, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.
Hope in Jesus
‘Israel needs wisdom, but more importantly, they need Jesus,’ says Jeff. ‘The forgiving, restorative power that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ is what Israel truly needs. I asked my rabbi friends about their hope, and they believe the Messiah will come one day. But for us, our hope is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My hope is not in this world but in the kingdom to come.’
During his visit, Jeff participated in two Shabbat dinners and learned a lot about Jewish traditions, such as closing everything down from Friday night to Saturday night for family time and reading the Torah.
But wherever we are in the world, Jeff believes it’s crucial for Christians to be united in prayer. ‘Wherever I am, I’m praying for the peace of Jerusalem and for the wisdom of its leaders.’
Watch the full interview with Phil and Jeff Vines below:
