WINNIPEG, MB—As a Lebanese evangelical Christian observing the crisis in the Middle East, some would say Nadeem Serhal is caught in a catch-22 situation. He is part of a small minority of Lebanese Catholics turned evangelical, living in a place where religion and politics often go hand in hand.

“Many Maronite Catholics take evangelicals to be on the side of the enemy,” says Serhal, “because evangelical Christianity is seen as part of a Western power that supports Israel.”

A great number of Lebanese are either Maronite Catholic or Orthodox Christians. Maronites have lived in the area for centuries and celebrate mass in Aramaic.

Tragic circumstance

With many Christian towns now obliterated by Israeli bombing, Serhal recognizes the helplessness of those he says have been forgotten. At times, the only group Christians can turn to for help is Hezbollah.

“Their heart is against Hezbollah and their ultimate goals, but at the same time Christians feel there is no other help. They are in a helpless situation right now—they feel that no one cares.”

Although groups like the Mennonite Central Committee have begun assessment of needs for refugees returning to southern Lebanon, there is much work to be done for the one million Lebanese displaced in the conflict.

Serhal pastored a church in Beirut before working as a missionary in the United Arab Emirates for 11 years. In 1991, he moved to Canada with his wife, Bernice, where he pastors a small Arab community in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Don’t show favouritism

“It is not easy for Westerners to understand the Middle East conflict, because whatever Israel does is the right thing—it’s well embedded,” says Serhal. “I don’t think the Lord wants us to show favouritism. I don’t feel this is God’s love for people.”

The complexity of the situation is staggering. A growing Muslim population, due partly to the Israeli expulsion of Palestinian refugees in 1948, was one of the triggers of a bloody 15-year civil war. Christians, who controlled government since the French mandate in the 1920s, are in danger of being overshadowed.

The precarious religious balance is so sensitive that there has not been a census since 1932. Currently, the constitution requires there to be a Christian president and a Muslim prime minister.

“I can remember an evangelical party in government,” says Bernice. “Until the civil war in 1975, Lebanon was the headquarters for outreach in Asia and Africa. Because of the Catholic majority, Lebanon was a place where Christian publications could be widely distributed and printing presses were free to publish. There were also Bible lessons on the radio. Now, all those things are changing.”

After the civil war, many Christian towns were left to Muslim jurisdiction. The growth of Hezbollah meant that they would have to live under Muslim rule bent on the destruction of Israel—something they would not have condoned. Nevertheless, they were used as human shields by Hezbollah in towns like Marjayoun and Qlaiah.

As an evangelical, Serhal acknowledges the suffering of Lebanese Christians, and continues to reach out to Muslims. “My goal is to reach the Arabs for Christ.”