Release International

A suspected arsonist is being blamed for a night-time blaze at a church in Jerusalem which caused serious damage and injured ten Christian volunteers.

The Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Centre, whose basement was wrecked by the fire, receives threats routinely and has long been 'a focal point for anti-Christian sentiment', according to Compass Direct news agency.

Ten volunteers visiting from Denmark and the US, who were sleeping in the church building, had to be treated for smoke inhalation at a nearby hospital.

Senior Pastor Jack Sara believes that the arsonist knew that people were sleeping in the church and that his or her intention was not simply to damage property. 'Whoever did it intended to kill people,' said Pastor Sara. He told Compass Direct that investigators now considered the fire to be 'very suspicious'.

The fire, which gutted the basement and destroyed recent renovations, caused about £52,000 of smoke and fire damage.

The church hosts several congregational groups including expats, Arab Christians and Messianic Jews – and has suffered opposition from 'all sides', according to Pastor Sara.

But he insists that he wants the church to be 'a beacon of light reflecting God's love to all people'. 'We will continue to serve the Holy Land residents from this place, proclaiming peace and justice for all human beings, declaring God's love for all of our neighbours, friends and enemies,' he said.

(Source: Compass Direct)

• Ask God to hedge the Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Centre around with His angels. Pray special protection on its leaders, including Pastor Jack Sara.
• Ask God to bless His church in Jerusalem so Christians can indeed be 'beacons of light' amid ongoing political and religious tensions in the city.
 

Back to top