Egypt
Hundreds of mission co-workers have served in Egypt for about 12 decades as educators, theological teachers, medical teams, rural health workers, agricultural experts, engineers, and other specialists. The church planted by those early missionaries grew into the largest Protestant church in the Middle East, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt, Synod of the Nile. The church has enjoyed a resurgence of interest following the Arab Spring revolution that began in 2011 which brought rapid and deep change to society and previously-accepted norms. The country now has a new constitution, a new government, and unprecedented openness to the church’s role in society. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Egypt — the church that our missionaries planted more than 150 years ago — is seizing this opportunity by actively reaching out to communities and meeting people’s needs.
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt, Synod of the Nile – The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt (a.k.a. Synod of the Nile) is the fruit of Presbyterian mission work in Egypt, which began in 1854. For many years, the Synod of the Nile grew as part of the PC(USA) until Egypt gained independence from British rule in 1952. The Synod of the Nile became autonomous in 1957 and officially independent in 1958. Today the PC(USA) has a strong partnership with the Synod of the Nile, which has a highly developed program of witness and ministry, including eight presbyteries and more than 400 congregations, and a membership of more than half a million.
Evangelical [Presbyterian] Theological Seminary in Cairo – Educating and equipping people for ministry in Egypt and around the Arab world, Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) is one of the only Protestant theological training centers in all of Egypt. Presbyterian mission personnel founded ETSC in 1863, with the first classes held on a houseboat on the Nile River. Since 1926, the seminary has been located in Cairo. The seminary trains ministers for pastoral positions in the Egyptian Evangelical [Presbyterian] Church and welcomes students from a variety of denominations who desire to deepen their skills and knowledge in preparation for a wide range of ministries.
Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) – CEOSS is one of Egypt’s largest development organizations, providing integrated approaches to poor communities in the areas of economic development, agriculture, education, health care, and the environment. Founded in 1952 by an Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo graduate, Samuel Habib, CEOSS grew from being a literacy program among the rural poor to being an internationally recognized organization dedicated to a holistic approach to sustainable development. Maintaining its Christian identity and focus, CEOSS’s mission is to promote the sanctity, equity, and harmony of life by nurturing moral and spiritual awareness, enhancing a sense of belonging, promoting respect for diversity, addressing conflict, and advancing social justice for individuals and communities.
Bible Society of Egypt – The Bible Society of Egypt is the largest Arabic Bible publishing operation in the world. A trans-denominational organization, the Bible Society is considered the Bible publisher for all the churches (Coptic, Protestant, and Catholic) in Egypt. The Society freely distributes Bibles to refugees, the disabled, and prisoners and their families.
American Mission Hospital at Tanta – In 1896, two woman doctors — Dr. Anna Watson and Dr. Caroline Lawrence — arrived in Egypt and started a clinic for women and children. The clinic was a forerunner for the American Mission Hospital in Tanta, which has been “serving others for the glory of God” for over 100 years. Indiscriminately serving all those who need medical care, the American Mission Hospital provides Christian medical services to the people in one of the most heavily populated areas of Egypt — the central Nile delta.
Egypt Partnership Network – The Egypt Partnership Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries, or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and develop strategies.
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