The Philos Project is a phenomenal organization dedicated to promoting positive Christian engagement in the Middle East. This past summer, I participated in their immersive educational program called the Philos Leadership Institute.
Applications are currently being accepted for the summer program designed for twenty Christian men and women between the ages of 18-35.
Here’s my brief testimonial about my experience:
We met with Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian leaders, religious and secular Jews, Israeli settlers and Palestinian refugees, pollsters, military officers, water engineers, feminists, environmentalists, theologians from a plurality of Christian denominations, Bedouins in the Negev, Syrian refugees in the Za’atari Refugee Camp, Iraqi Christians in Amman, Aramean Christians in Jish, kibbutzniks, Arab citizens of Israel, and a professor of Sharia Law. Is there any other organization that provides the opportunity to listen to an Orthodox rabbi settler next to a young Palestinian refugee? Or, a Catholic priest next to a Sharia Law professor? The Protestants visited Catholic churches and listened attentively to priests. The Catholics learned about different theologies of Israel, salvation, etc., etc.. There were countless heated, fruitful, and friendly conversations.
The Philos Project attracts mature participants and, I think, deepens their maturity. The great achievement of the Philos Project is that it is humanizing on all sides. We learned about how category-defying are the people of the Middle East and how much the realities of daily life there resist any stale categorization that would reduce complex narratives to mere textbook abstractions. Having gained a nuanced view in such an engaging manner, this trip has contributed to the formation of my character and sharpening of my conscience. I strongly encourage you to check out the Philos Project.
If you’re interested in learning more about this program or have any questions about the Philos Project, feel free to get in touch.
Amanda Achtman 