Episcopal Press and News

Gulf War Further Hinders Work of Mideast Missionaries

Episcopal News Service. February 14, 1991 [91042J]

The Gulf War has made the always difficult task of Christian missionaries in the Middle East even more difficult, according to leaders of foreign mission units of U.S. churches. "Even if the war ends tomorrow," said Erich Bridges, news editor of the Southern Baptist Convention's Foreign Mission Board, "the reaction of many Muslims toward Americans/Christians is all mixed up, and their perspective is going to be bitter, probably for years to come." Mary Sue Robinson of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries observed that people in the Middle East have had "many wars fought against them... in the name of Christianity. They have a long collective memory that goes back to the Crusades." Some missionaries have fled areas directly involved in the present conflict, and others have elected to remain while keeping a low profile.