Salt of the Earth: Sustaining Christian Life in the Northern West Bank

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In the hills and villages surrounding Jenin, Christianity survives not as a historical memory but as a fragile, living presence. In this part of the northern West Bank, Christian communities are small, scattered, and under constant pressure from economic hardship, political instability, and long-term insecurity. It is within this challenging reality that Salt of the Earth has emerged as a quiet but determined effort to sustain Christian life, identity, and hope.

Salt of the Earth is a locally rooted Christian community initiative founded in 2017 and active across several villages in the Jenin governorate. Rather than operating as a formal NGO, it functions as a grassroots movement shaped by local needs and driven by volunteers. Its focus is simple but vital: to gather Christians together, strengthen faith across generations, and help families remain rooted in their ancestral communities.

Holy Redeemer Church in Jenin

A Vision Born from Numbers—and Names

The initiative was founded by Osama Sayegh, a Christian from the village of Burqin. Sayegh often speaks in numbers—not as abstractions, but as reminders of how small and vulnerable these communities have become. In Deir Ghazaleh, only four Christians remain. In Jenin city, the number stands at roughly 135. Burqin is home to around 65 Christians, while Tubas counts approximately 35. Together, these figures form a fragile map of Christian presence across the region.

Both Christians and Muslims come to worship at the church of the Ten Lepers in Burqin.

Sayegh’s concern was not merely demographic decline, but the human cost behind it. Young Christians were leaving due to unemployment, insecurity, and a growing sense of isolation. Entire families felt disconnected from one another, worshipping separately or not at all. In response, Sayegh began bringing together young Christians from different villages to imagine what collective action might look like. What began as informal meetings soon developed into Salt of the Earth.

Palestinian Christians: An Ancient History and a Living Necessity

The initiative’s name comes from Matthew 5:13. It reflects Christ's teaching that even the smallest presence of His followers can suffuse society with the Holy Spirit and draw the Kingdom of God nearer - both for Christians and non-Christians alike. There is no better illustration of this truth than the Church's presence in the northern West Bank.

In Zababdeh, a small Christian minority sustains vital institutions for the whole community. The Latin Patriarchate School of Zababdeh educates Christian and Muslim children alike, while St Matthew’s Anglican Episcopal Church and its Penman Clinic provide worship, community life, and essential healthcare for surrounding villages.

This pattern is repeated throughout the rest of the West Bank, too. A comprehensive mapping study by Kinderhilfe Bethlehem documents hundreds of Christian-run schools, clinics, rehabilitation centres, NGOs, and community organisations across the West Bank. Despite Christians making up only around 1–2% of the population, the study shows that Christian institutions provide education, healthcare, disability services, women’s programs, youth work, and emergency relief to 37% of the population. 90% of the people they serve are Muslim. In many rural areas, these institutions provide essential services without which communities could not survive.

Children from Salt of the Earth Initiative - the future of Palestinian Christianity and the Hope of the Holy Land

Life-Giving Activities Across Generations

Salt of the Earth works intentionally with all age groups, from children to parents and extended families. Weekly meetings for young people form the backbone of the initiative. These gatherings combine prayer, religious teaching, cultural discussions, and open conversations about faith and daily life. Entertainment games and group activities help create a relaxed and welcoming environment, particularly for youth who may feel disconnected from traditional church settings.

A strong scouting program has become one of the initiative’s most visible and successful elements. Through scout training, holiday activities, and participation in wider scouting events, children and teenagers learn teamwork, discipline, and leadership while developing pride in their Christian identity. Summer camps further deepen these bonds, offering structured programs that blend faith, recreation, and community-building.

Salt of the Earth also places strong emphasis on family life. Awareness lectures and educational courses address challenges facing young people and parents alike, including social pressures, economic stress, and the struggle to remain hopeful amid prolonged uncertainty. Cultural programs, open-day activities, and even shared birthday celebrations reinforce a sense of collective belonging, reminding participants that no one is facing these challenges alone.

Faith Expressed Through Service

Beyond internal community life, Salt of the Earth expresses its faith through service. Members regularly visit the homes of elderly residents, both Christian and Muslim, as well as people with special needs. These visits are acts of solidarity rather than charity, reflecting a commitment to coexistence and mutual care within a shared society.

 Church of St George

Seasonal programs mark the rhythm of the Christian calendar. Mother’s Day activities, Easter celebrations, and Christmas gatherings bring families together across village boundaries. These events are especially significant in places like Burqin, home to the ancient Church of St George, believed to be one of the oldest churches in the world. Celebrating faith in such settings reinforces a sense of continuity between past and present.

The group also organizes visits to other Christian communities across the West Bank, helping participants realize they are part of a broader Christian presence beyond their immediate surroundings. Nature walks and outdoor activities provide moments of rest and reflection, offering brief relief from the heavy pressures of daily life.

Perseverance in a time of crisis

The region where Salt of the Earth operates has endured more than five years of compounded social, economic, political, and security crises. Movement restrictions, job scarcity, and ongoing instability weigh heavily on families. In such conditions, sustaining community life requires persistence and deep personal commitment.

Despite these challenges, Salt of the Earth continues to grow in participation and influence. Today, around 35 active members regularly gather, drawing Christians from multiple villages and age groups. While modest in number, their presence represents something larger: a refusal to let Christianity fade quietly from the northern West Bank.

Salt of the Earth does not claim to solve the structural challenges facing Palestinian Christians. Instead, it offers something equally vital—connection, dignity, and hope. Through shared faith, service, and community life, it affirms that even the smallest communities can remain steadfast, preserving a living Christian witness in the land where Christianity was born.

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"Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples

came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?' "

The future of Palestinian Christianity and the Hope of the Holy Land

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