Revisiting the Roots and Realities of Faith in Palestine and Israel  with John Wagner from United Methodist for Kairos Response

To Be snd Do: Revisiting the Roots and Realities of Faith in Palestine and Israel 

In this thoughtful episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Phil Amerson sits down with Reverend John Wagner, a pivotal voice in United Methodists for Kairos Response, to explore the complex and often-overlooked histories and present-day realities of Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land. Drawing on decades of experience, both personal and collective, the conversation shines a light on stories, struggles, and the faith-based activism striving to bring justice and reconciliation across divides.

Three Key Takeaways:

1. The Deep Roots — and the Marginalization — of Palestinian Christians One of the most powerful threads in the episode is the discussion about the history and current plight of Palestinian Christians. As John Wagner points out, many American Christians are unaware that Christianity not only has ancient roots in Palestine but that vibrant Christian communities persist there to this day, albeit in shrinking numbers. Wagner recounts how Palestinian Christians—even those with centuries-long ancestry in the land—are often overlooked or even questioned about their faith by Westerners. This erasure, he stresses, is not merely ignorance but is sometimes a deliberate attempt to marginalize their voices within the broader conversations about Israel and Palestine.

2. On-the-Ground Reality: Water, Movement, and Daily Hardships Phil and John offer stark reminders of the physical and political hardships endured by Palestinians—Christian and Muslim alike—under occupation. From water scarcity and restricted movement to outright violence and land loss, the reality described in the podcast is striking. John’s recounting of seeing water tanks on Palestinian roofs (because water can be cut off at any time) and the audacity of settlement expansion, militarization, and resource theft is both illuminating and harrowing. Visiting the region, John was transformed from a neutral observer to an impassioned advocate for nonviolent action against injustice, underscoring how often only firsthand experience can drive home the raw truth of the situation.

3. Faith-Based Activism: The Work of Kairos Response and Seeking Just Peace A highlight of the conversation is John’s explanation of United Methodists for Kairos Response—their work, their challenges, and their vision. Born from a desire to respond meaningfully to the occupation and inspired by the Kairos Palestine document (itself modeled on South Africa’s moral and nonviolent resistance to apartheid), the group champions targeted divestment and other nonviolent interventions. Their coalition has successfully pushed for Methodist divestment from companies profiting from the occupation and most recently from Israel bonds funding military action in Gaza. These actions embody a faith-driven commitment to justice and peace, reminding listeners that their denominations and communities can wield real-world influence.

Final Thoughts This episode is an invitation for listeners—especially those in faith communities—to learn, reflect, and act. It bridges personal story, historical context, and urgent activism, offering listeners concrete examples of how solidarity, advocacy, and bearing witness can make a difference. The voices of Palestinian Christians, often relegated to the margins, are essential to any honest reckoning with justice and belonging in the Holy Land. As the episode asks: What can we do, as people of faith, to stand for dignity, justice, and peace?

If you care about interfaith solidarity, social justice, or simply want to better understand the lived realities behind the headlines, this episode is a must-listen.

=========

Here are some links recommended by John Wagner: 

United Methodists for Kairos Response - https://www.kairosresponse.org/ UMKR was founded in 2010 in Chicago. We've helped most annual conferences in the United States to consider legislation aimed at bringing peace with justice to the Holy Land, and we've been active at every General Conference since 2012. (It's important to note that United Methodists have been addressing the injustices they've seen in the Holy Land for many years prior to the formation of UMKR.)

Kairos Palestine - https://www.kairospalestine.ps/ This organization represents Christian leaders in the West Bank and Gaza. They've issued many calls to Western churches to stand with them in opposing oppression. The "Kairos Document" is particularly important. 

Friends of Sabeel, North America (FOSNA) - https://www.fosna.org/ - FOSNA works with Sabeel ("The Way" in Arabic), one of the main Christian activist groups in Israel and Palestine. If you want to go on a solidarity trip please contact the folks at FOSNA. 

I recommend this website on Christian Zionism: https://www.christianzionism.org/ It was created by Evangelicals for Evangelicals. Christian Zionism pushes for Israeli control of all the Holy Land, claiming it's a biblical mandate. This website makes it clear this is not the case. 

I would hope people would read this article I wrote last September: https://thehill.com/opinion/education/4871480-college-students-israel-protest/ The most important part is in the first few paragraphs where I provide links to actions taken by Christian denominations to oppose the occupation of Palestine. There have been quite a few. 

I believe this video created by United Methodist missionaries is even more important than it was when it came out ten years ago - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKb8SYVB8KQ When people ask "Well, what about Hamas?" it's helpful to let them know that as non-violent solutions like boycotts and divestments were rejected, those advocating violence were given a greater voice. Our United Methodist missionaries, past and present, plead for United Methodists and all Christians to advocate for a just peace. "Time is running out," they say over and over. 

John Wagner is a pastor in the West Ohio annual conference of the United Methodist Church. He first visited Israel and Palestine in 2008 and was moved and shaken by what he'd seen. He was the first convenor and one of the founders of United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR), and also served as co-chair of its steering committee. After letting go of leadership in UMKR he continues to work for a just peace through a number of other Christian and interfaith organizations. He was part of an interfaith solidarity delegation to the Holy Land in late 2024. 

John has served as pastor to congregations in Indiana and Ohio for the last 43 years. He's married to JoAnn and together they have 3 daughters and two grandchildren.