Nathalie Losar, a participant in the 2025 cohort of the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI), is a member of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine. In this interview with China Christian Daily, as a Palestinian Christian, Nathalie shares insights into the challenges faced by Bethlehem. She also reflects on her experience in the GETI program and discusses how it fosters hope, unity, and engagement with both local and global ecumenical themes.
Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, is the birthplace of Jesus. According to Nathalie Losar, its Christian population has shrunk from one to two percent to around 0.8% due to ongoing political and social difficulties.
GETI, part of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Theological Education (WCC-ETE) program, is a global initiative that fosters theological reflection and ecumenical collaboration. The GETI 2025, held alongside the WCC Commission on Faith and Order's World Conference in Egypt, brought together around 400 Christians from over 100 countries. The program included four weeks of online engagement and two weeks of in-person study at St Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natrun from October 13 to 28.
China Christian Daily: How does it feel to be part of this conference, especially with the chance to meet so many Christians from different traditions and regions?
Natalie Nassar: This is the first time I've been exposed to such a wide range of people from diverse communities. Christians from all countries, with different backgrounds and cultures, gathered together in the Papal Logos Center. Being part of the GETI has been a wonderful opportunity. It opened our eyes to many important topics that need to be discussed. As a participant from Palestine, I truly value the chance to take part in this conference.
China Christian Daily: What unique perspective do you bring to discussions, particularly regarding unity and faith in today's divided world?
Natalie Nassar: I was the only participant from Palestine, and that made the experience special. I felt welcomed and loved by everyone here. The GETI highlighted many topics related to Palestine, especially the ongoing situation in Palestine and the Middle East. We talked about persecution, genocide, and immigration—critical issues that people need to learn about. I told all the international attendees I met that if they want to know the reality of Palestine, they must come see and go tell. That thought gives me the strength to keep going amid everything we Palestinians are enduring.
China Christian Daily: Could you share more about the actual situation in Palestine?
Natalie Nassar: I live in Bethlehem, where we face numerous challenges. As Palestinians, we wake up every day with uncertainty about whether we will even get to live through the day. We are surrounded by roadblocks and checkpoints that make daily life a struggle. It is frustrating to live in what feels like an open-air prison where movement is severely restricted. We face movement limitations that prevent us from freely traveling even within our own city or country.
People from around the world come to Bethlehem and move about freely because they do not hold Palestinian passports. But as someone with a Palestinian passport, I cannot go many places without navigating checkpoints. We're denied dreaming because we don't know if we're going to even achieve those dreams in a place where there's actual colonialism, occupation, and restriction of movements.
China Christian Daily: Right now, tourism in Bethlehem is limited because of the war. How has that impacted local families?
Natalie Nassar: Bethlehem relies heavily on tourism. Many families own souvenir shops where tourists would come to buy items and support these families. Now, we face economic hardship. Most families are broken because they depend on tourism, and many people have lost their jobs because of the current situation. But we are surviving every day, having hope because we believe in God. We are planted in this land like an olive tree that survives every storm.
China Christian Daily: How does the local church community in Palestine foster hope and peace amid these challenging circumstances?
Natalie Nassar: Local churches in Palestine play a vital role for Christians, especially since our Christian community faces existential threats. People naturally seek safety, and often the first thought is to migrate. That brings us frustration because we crave safety, but leaving our country is not the message we stand for. We were born here and raised to love and be rooted in our homeland of Palestine. Churches work hard to guide youth, focusing on their future. They encourage young people to be active in the church and serve it. Even if some choose to go abroad—something that is already very difficult—or pursue further studies elsewhere, churches urge them to return and serve their country. We were born in Palestine, and we are committed to serving our people.
China Christian Daily: What does visible unity mean to you personally and to the church in Bethlehem?
Natalie Nassar: I was born in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. It is a great joy and blessing to be part of this city. Christianity started in Bethlehem, and I always tell that to people. I live in the city of peace. Many things might divide us, but what unites us is God, Christ. We may not have shared doctrine, but we have shared life, shared experiences, and shared prayers as Christians in Bethlehem. So visible unity means our presence in my country, our presence as Palestinians, not to be uniform, but united in Christ's love.
China Christian Daily: Is it possible for Palestinian and Israeli people to be united in Christ?
Natalie Nassar: We have been living under occupation since 1948. We are still under occupation, especially with what is happening in Gaza. In my context, it is very hard to think about being friends or having connections with any Israeli people. I cannot imagine myself talking to someone who was raised to believe that Palestinians are the bad ones, that Palestinians do not want peace, and that Palestinians are the ones occupying them. I will never communicate with anyone from their side because I do not think we can be united. We cannot forget what they have done to us, but we refuse to be enemies. That is God's message.
China Christian Daily: What kind of new connections have you made during this conference?
Natalie Nassar: I've made many friends from different countries. As I told all the GETI participants, now I have a home in every country. The network and the communication we made will forever be engraved in our hearts.
This was a chance for Christians from various denominations, cultures, and backgrounds to unite in love, in Christ, and in prayer. We shared meals, prayed together every morning and evening, laughed, and created memories that will keep us connected always. We will never forget each other and the good times we shared here as GETIs.
China Christian Daily: What gives you hope or inspiration for the future of Christian unity and peace in the Holy Land and the Middle East?
Natalie Nassar: Being part of this program gave me so much hope. Many people still have faith in God—something that may not be true for everyone, but what I saw here gave me a lot of hope to continue living in faith, love, and unity. I want to share this love, peace, hope, and faith with my people.
China Christian Daily: Many Christians in China are eager to learn about and support the church in the Holy Land. What would you like to share with them about Bethlehem?
Natalie Nassar: In Bethlehem, international presence is important, which gives Palestinian people the courage to continue living their lives. Bethlehem is such a holy and sacred place—the birthplace of Jesus. When we see tourists and visitors from all over the world coming to see this land, we feel that hope is still alive. Even amid all we go through, even in our daily struggles, people will always see a smile on a Palestinian's face and hope in their eyes. I want to advise everyone from all around the world who wants to know the truth about Palestine, come see and go tell, this is my message.
China Christian Daily: Do you have any words for Chinese Christians?
Natalie Nassar: Please keep us in your prayers; we need prayers. Keep sharing the truth about Palestine. As Palestinians, we cannot share these messages on social media. Keep advocating for us, keep relevant support in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and hopefully, we can all see you in a free Palestine.
