Christian tourism in the Holy Land has become a battle of narrative. Palestinian Christians have a unique voice that gives clarity and focus to what the Christian movement should be within the walls of Bethlehem and beyond.
In 2017, I was contacted by a United Methodist Agency Called United Methodists for Kairos Response. In collaboration with the UMC General Board of Global Ministries and the UMC General Board of Church and Society, I was assigned a special video project that would present a balanced narrative for Christians visiting the Holy Land.
In the months leading up to the trip, it was important to establish a plan. GBGM put me in touch with their liaison to the Middle East, who helped schedule interviews before I arrived. I did my best to research the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and journaled my curiosities. I packed a DSLR camera with a small collection of lenses, and a travel tripod. Being in Bethlehem only three days, I had to be light on my feet.
So often, Christian pilgrims travel to the holy land to experience where Jesus lived, walked and performed miracles. Churches have been built over ancient stones that represent locations of stories in the Bible. The tours come and the tours go... but most of the pilgrims (tourists) miss the most important encounter: an encounter with the RISEN Christ; where Jesus lives today.
Three days was all I needed to give voice to a different narrative. I returned home with hundreds of photos and hours of interviews.
As striking as the landscape was, what I remember most are the people; normal, everyday people who are non-violently working towards peace. Muslims, Jews and Christians working together for better outcomes. My journalistic approach is one that finds middle ground. Finding the middle ground takes a lot of listening.
After several months of editing, the documentary premiered at Ginghamsburg Church, December 5, 2018. Over 300 attended that first night, and the film has since been used to educate churchgoers across the United Methodist Church.
Bethlehem won the Best Narrative or Concept Video at the Church Filmcraft Film Festival at the 2020 Capture Content Creation Summit.
Bethlehem
All around the world, the resurrected Christ roots his presence among the poor and marginalized. The Palestinian people, especially Palestinian Christians, have been oppressed and marginalized by the Israeli Occupation. However, Israel is not the enemy. "Enemies are friends in waiting". Peacemaking is at the core of a Palestinian Christian's life. Following Jesus means loving our enemy. There in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, in the middle of it all, experience the Holy Land through the eyes of "the living stones," Palestinian Christians who descend from the disciples.