New Church Development in Egypt: Palestinian Refugee Update
“...I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” (Matthew 25:35)
In recent years, and due to regional hostilities, the number of refugees living in Egypt has dramatically increased. Countless Palestinians have arrived through the Rafah border crossing, coming with nothing but the clothes on their backs, fleeing the violence and uncertainty back home.
Taking Jesus’ words seriously in the Gospel of Matthew, the Pastoral, Outreach, and Mission Council (POMC) of the Synod of the Nile has risen to the occasion and responded quickly to the growing crisis. Our partner is doing so much more than developing new churches.
The situation in Al-Arish, the Egyptian city just across the Rafah border crossing, is marked by hardship. Families live in overcrowded government shelters, while others crowd into youth centers, and still others struggle to pay high rents for small apartments. Even as the crisis unfolded and resources grew scarce, POMC responded quickly. It could not wait while families faced such urgent and pressing needs.
Initial relief efforts focused on meeting basic human needs including medications, infant formula, baby diapers, clothing, food boxes, winter blankets, and fans. Such practical aid distribution was designed to stabilize families during the most vulnerable early weeks of displacement. Beyond emergency relief, POMC also prioritized trust-building and long-term relational care, ensuring that assistance is delivered with dignity and accompanied by emotional and spiritual support.
“At the beginning there was hesitation and fear. But over time, as we continued visiting and helping, people became more open. Today, many trust us, ask for prayer, and share their hearts. Some still struggle with trust, but most now see the Church as their only steady support,” said Basim, a pastor in the Synod of the Nile.
While the humanitarian needs remain great, a second need soon emerged: education for refugee children. Palestinian children had already been forced to flee harsh realities, and without access to Egyptian schools, their displacement threatened their education too.
In response, POMC envisioned something new. Not just a school, but a sanctuary, a safe embrace, and a message of God’s love for these little ones. In places where pain has been stronger than words, and where children have lost their sense of safety, a new story began to emerge.
Before their eyes, the invitation in the Gospel of Mattthew, “Let the little children come to me...” came alive as these children were embraced with care, compassion, and the love of Christ.
It wasn’t about building walls or classrooms; it was about answering a silent voice inside every child asking: “Is there still a safe place for me? Is there still a future?”
That answer comes alive each time a child enters school. Their eyes reflect something priceless, something that cannot be bought or made – a small faith being reborn. Their laughter is not ordinary; it’s a proclamation that God has not forgotten them.
Leaders from the school share, “The school is progressing very well, and the atmosphere is filled with joy and purpose. The education process is running smoothly, with students eagerly learning and faithfully attending their classes. They have recently completed their monthly exams, reflecting not only academic growth but also a growing sense of stability and normalcy in their lives.”
The school offers more than just an education. Essential supplies are provided regularly, and warm meals are shared—small reminders to each child that they are seen, loved, and not forgotten. For many of them this school has become more than a place of learning; it is a haven where hope is restored and hearts begin to heal.
The Impact
POMC’s initiatives to love and care for the Palestinian refugees in their midst are more than just a relief effort; they are a living expression of Christ’s love in action. The impact of this work could be measured in numbers – medications distributed, food boxes handed out, children enrolled in school; the real impact is in the children who know that they are seen by God. It is in the infants who are fed and clean during those vital first months. It is in families who have been treated with dignity during unimaginable horror, and the possibility of a future different than the present reality.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of the Pastoral, Outreach, and Mission Council. All gifts of any size are welcome to help support their efforts to minister to refugees, as well as to plant and revitalize Presbyterian churches throughout Egypt.
You may make a gift by sending a check to the address below with the partner name “New Church Development in Egypt” in the memo line. You can also make a gift on our website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org.
