Several ministries contribute to its influence. (https://www.kdec.net/en/). For Christmas and Easter, the church is too small. "Tell Pope Tawadros to invite the other churches for Jesus Celebration 2033. They will follow him. I am part of it. Millions of people will be grateful to you. Go ahead!” he tells us.
During worship after our conversation, Pastor Noura Edward speaks of the joy of giving, from the story of the poor woman giving her necessities. There is more joy to give than to receive. Why ? Giving breaks the authority of money in our life. Otherwise this one can become a god. By giving one is being set free and worshiping the true God. In giving we proclaim that everything we have belongs to him. Before the multiplication of the loaves a young man gives his entire meal to Jesus, and five thousand people are fed!
This message encourages us to continue our path with generosity: who knows what can come out of these few crumbs of meetings? How many people can be nourished by meeting the Risen One?
The church of Kasr el Dobara
A foretaste of heaven in 2033?
The next day we visit the Council of Protestant Churches in Egypt which represents 18 churches. Andrea Zaki, its president, remembers Olivier and me when we presented the ecumenical life in Lausanne during the 40-years-celebration of the Lausanne Movement, five years ago!
On the left Mikael El Dabaa and Andrea Zaki
While in Egypt Christmas is a national celebration, it is different at Easter. It will be necessary that Easter 2033 be thought through with wisdom. "I immediately adopt your idea, it is the good news of our meeting. 2033 is a unique occasion, like the decade of the resurrection. All Christians agree on the resurrection. And to dream of a great celebration in 2033 at the foot of the pyramids if the government accepts it!
Mikael El dabaa, his close collaborator, also director of the Lausanne movement for the Middle East adds: "It's a wonderful idea. Egypt has the highest concentration of Christians in the Middle East. It has a great responsibility in this region." And Lucia Rabbat adds: "The Lord loves that. Full unity will be accomplished in heaven, but 2033 will give us a taste of it."
Communicating the resurrection through art
Mouneer Hanna Anis, the archbishop of the Anglican diocese of Egypt, Algeria and the Horn of Africa awaits us in his office with black leather sofas, "British pub" style. Taking cognizance of the project he emphasizes the importance of reaching the younger generation, because current leaders will not be there in 2033.
The Anglican cathedral
As a painter and photographer at his leisure, he encourages us to involve artists, for example by making resurrection exhibitions in various cultures. He himself organized an exhibition with artists of all denominations on the theme of "Path of Salvation".
Archbishop Mouneer Anis
"If the story of Jesus is told in the local culture, people will identify and join. Putting faith and art together is so important. If we want to share our faith we must talk about our reasons why Jesus died and resurrected, especially in a predominantly Muslim culture. I pray that this decade will be fruitful, and that many lives will be transformed,” he insists.
What if the Lord returned before 2033?
The day before we leave we plan to visit the Old Cairo in the afternoon. So, by visiting Nasr Katkout, the bishop of the Assemblies of God, around eleven o'clock, we think that we will have time to realize this project. But our meeting lasts until four o'clock. And Old Cairo closes its doors one hour later !
Bishop Nasr Katkout
This is to say that the interest in the project awakened in this dynamic church leader. He has just organized a big conference in the desert of Wadi Natroun. "If the Lord returns before 2033, we will lose nothing!” he said with a smile. “But I'm sure he'll help you until that date." He pledges to share JC2033's vision with a group of young pastors and suggests we should visit Egypt every two years, because we must recall things the same way as Jesus repeatedly announced his death and resurrection. “Your project is a good project and the Assemblies of God will help you realize it."
Martin Hoegger, Head of Inter-Church Relationships JC2033
