Egypt
For information about Presbyterians serving in Egypt, please contact the office for the Middle East and Europe.
Growing the Church in Egypt
The revolutionary events that began in Egypt on January 25, 2011, brought rapid and deep change to society and previously-accepted norms. The country now has a new constitution, a new government, and unprecedented openness to the church’s role in society. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Egypt (EPCE)—the largest Protestant church in the Middle East and the church that our missionaries planted over 150 years ago—is seizing this opportunity by actively reaching out to communities and meeting people’s needs. Read more.
News
Egypt’s President Sisi Vows to Rebuild All Destroyed Churches in 2016
Tackling the taboo topic of sexual abuse in Egypt
Advocacy and awareness campaign reaches millions in the Middle East and beyond
“In Her Place,” a 15-minute video created by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt’s Council of Services and Development (CSD), shares the true stories of the sexual assault of four women and girls, one as young as 5 years old. To date (12/15) “In Her Place” has reached about 30 million households via public and Christian TV.
Land grants hold great promise for growth of the church in Egypt
Miami Presbyterian gives extraordinary gift to grow the Christian church in Egypt
Million dollar contribution will support new churches, pastoral training
Dialogue in Egypt bridges divides
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Egypt noticed a widening gap between Christians and Muslims. Rejection, blame, differentiation, absence of cooperation, hatred and fear all contributed to the growing gulf in acceptance. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church’s Council of Ecumenical Relation and Dialogues wanted to counteract this trend. They decided the best way to do so was by simply bringing people together to talk, giving individuals the opportunity to learn from and about each other. Read more —World Communion of Reformed Churches
Good News from Egypt (YouTube)
Director Hunter Farrell tells about some great mission developments taking place in Egypt in 2015.
“We forgive the killers” is what family members of those recently martyred by ISIS fighters in Libya have consistently said. Their response of forgiveness and love has made a tremendous impact around the world. And so has our recent Scripture tract commemorating that event, Two Rows by the Sea. Outside of the Bible itself, we believe it is the most widely distributed piece of Christian literature in Egypt’s history.—Bible Society of Egypt
Libya's martyrs are witnessing to Egypt
Faiths unite to mourn the death of 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians
Presbyterian World Mission asks for prayers amid mourning and threat of retaliation
PC(USA) mourns and condemns the killing of Egyptian Coptic Christians
Background
Though a predominantly Muslim country, Egypt is also home to several million Christians, most of whom trace their origins directly back to the Apostolic Era. American Presbyterian mission activities in Egypt began in 1854 and under the auspices of the United Presbyterian Church of North America. Hundreds of mission coworkers served in Egypt for about twelve decades as educators, theological teachers, medical teams, rural health workers, agricultural experts, engineers and other specialists. Presbyterian work in Egypt is an undeniable mission success story. The church planted by those early missionaries grew into the largest Protestant church in the Middle East, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt, Synod of the Nile.
Read more about PC(USA) mission history in Egypt.
The American Presbyterian Mission in Egypt: Significant Factors in Its Establishment
Today the PC(USA) joins Egypt’s Christian community in a holistic approach to ministry that includes new church development, education, health ministries, publishing, hunger response, and interfaith work.
Partner Churches and Organizations
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt, Synod of the Nile
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt (a.k.a. Synod of the Nile) is the fruit of Presbyterian mission work in Egypt, which began in 1854. For many years, the Synod of the Nile grew as part of the PC(USA) until Egypt gained independence from British rule in 1952. The Synod of the Nile became autonomous in 1957 and officially independent in 1958.
Today the PC(USA) has a strong partnership with the Synod of the Nile, which has a highly developed program of witness and ministry, including eight presbyteries and more than 400 congregations, and a membership of more than half a million.
Support PC(USA)'s partnership with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt.
Evangelical [Presbyterian] Theological Seminary in Cairo
Educating and equipping people for ministry in Egypt and around the Arab world, Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) is one of the only Protestant theological training centers in all of Egypt. ETSC strives to create leaders dedicated to Christ's commission to "Go, therefore, and make disciples." Students at ETSC are challenged with a holistic vision to transform their society for the glory of God. Presbyterian mission personnel founded ETSC in 1863, with the first classes held on a houseboat on the Nile River. Since 1926 the seminary has been located in Cairo. Today, under the supervision of the Synod of the Nile, ETSC not only trains ministers for pastoral positions in the Egyptian Evangelical [Presbyterian] Church, ETSC also welcomes students from a variety of denominations who desire to deepen their skills and knowledge in preparation for a wide range of ministries. Read "150 Years of Witness n Egypt" in the May 2013 issues of Presbyterians Today.
Support PC(USA)'s partnership with the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo.
Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS)
CEOSS is one of Egypt's largest development organizations, providing integrated approaches to poor communities in the areas of economic development, agriculture, education, health care, and the environment. Founded in 1952 by an Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo graduate, Samuel Habib, CEOSS grew from being a literacy program among the rural poor to being an internationally recognized organization dedicated to a holistic approach to sustainable development. Maintaining its Christian identity and focus, CEOSS’s mission is to promote the sanctity, equity, and harmony of life by nurturing moral and spiritual awareness, enhancing a sense of belonging, promoting respect for diversity, addressing conflict, and advancing social justice for individuals and communities.
Christian Publishing House (Dar-el Thaqafah)
Christian Publishing House started in the 1950’s in order to supply materials for CEOSS’s programs to eradicate illiteracy. Over the years, CEOSS developed Christian Publishing House into one of the largest publishing houses in the entire Middle East.
The Bible Society of Egypt (BSE) is the largest Arabic Bible publishing operation in the world. A trans-denominational organization, the BSE is considered the Bible publisher for all the churches (Coptic, Protestant, and Catholic) in Egypt. The BSE aims to make the Bible, “available to all, understandable to all, and affordable to all” and freely distributes Bibles to refugees, the disabled, and prisoners and their families.
American Mission Hospital at Tanta
In 1896 two woman doctors—Dr. Anna Watson and Dr. Caroline Lawrence—arrived in Egypt and started a clinic for women and children. The clinic was a forerunner for the American Mission Hospital in Tanta which has been “serving others for the glory of God” for over 100 years.[1] Indiscriminately serving all those who need medical care, the American Mission Hospital provides Christian medical services to the people in one of the most heavily populated areas of Egypt—the central Nile delta.
Support PC(USA)'s partnership with the American Mission Hospital at Tanta.
Egyptian and American youth worked together to build the first structures of Beit El Salaam (“House of Peace”) in 1954. Located west of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, this beautiful 9-acre camp and conference center hosts over 25,000 people a year. Operated by the Synod of the Nile, Beit El Salaam’s explicit goals are to: 1) proclaim the message of Christ to young people and families, 2) pay particular attention to young people by providing spiritual, cultural, social, and physical (sports) programs, 3) train church leaders, and 4) provide advice and care to families and young people.
Support PC(USA)'s partnership with Beit El Salaam.
Presbytery/synod partnerships
Presbytery of Des Moines
Together for family life and development — Joining Hands with Egypt
Synod of Southern California and Hawaii
Egypt Partnership Network
The Egypt Partnership Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies. For information contact Lacey Gilliam or Amgad Beblawi.
How you can help
Give to PC(USA)-supported partner organizations
Learn more about Egypt
Visit the BBC country profile.
Visit National Geographic’s Egypt Guide.
Read about Christians in the Middle East(from the BBC, 2011).
