Pastor Dr. Hanna Massad is a Palestinian Christian with a fascinating story. He was born in a Gaza refugee camp because his parents and grandparents, and over 750,000 Palestinians, were forced off their land in Palestine, by the Zionists in 1948, when Israel was founded.
Palestinian Pastor Hanna Massad was born in Gaza in a refugee camp because his family was forced out of Palestine in 1948 by the Zionists during the formation of Israel.
In this remarkable and inspiring, 44 minute podcast, Pastor Hanna is interviewed by Chuck Carlson and members of We Hold These Truths. We learn from Pastor Hanna about the challenges Palestinian Christians face in Gaza and the West Bank of Palestine. They are caught between two fires: the brutal Israeli occupation and radicalized Muslims. Growing up in Gaza, Christians like Hanna Massad and his family lived peaceably with their Muslim neighbors. We learn from Pastor Hanna the impact of Christian Zionism and the Israel-first policies of the US government on Palestinian Christians and Muslims. An excellent book that includes a story about Pastor Hanna, and delves into the plight of evangelical Christians in the Holy Land is: “Between 2 Fires: The Untold Stories of the Palestinian Christians“‘ by Jack Kincaid. If you were moved by Pastor Hanna’s story, any help with his ministry would be greatly appreciated. It is: Christian Mission to Gaza and it helps with Gaza relief, the Gaza Baptist Church (Yes, there still is an Evangelical Baptist church in Gaza, praise God!), and Iraqi & Syrian refugee relief.
Funeral march in Gaza, March 2002, photographed by Chuck Carlson.
Graffiti adorns the outside wall of the Gaza Baptist Church in Gaza City.
Most American Christians are unaware of the plight of Palestinian Christians and are amazed that there are Palestinian Christians in Gaza, In 2002, when Chuck Carlson visited Gaza, he walked past the Gaza Baptist Church while following a funeral procession. Four Palestinians had been killed and 40 wounded, the night before, by an Israeli rocket attack launched from Apache helicopters hovering over where Chuck was staying. Chuck recorded that rocket attack, and it can be seen in our award documentary, “Christian Zionism: The Tragedy & The Turning, Part I.“
