Narkis Street Congregation is located on the corner of Narkis and Hagidem Streets in downtown Jerusalem; the corner has been a center for Christian activity since the 1920’s. For many years the Narkis Street Baptist Congregation was under the direction of Rev. Robert Lindsey. Since 1994, Pastor Charles Kopp has led the congregation. In 1989, a Hebrew speaking Congregation grew out of the Narkis Street Baptist Congregation—now called El Ro’ii and in 1994 a Russian speaking congregation Even Israel was established. In 1996 a further multiplication took place with founding of the Sunday morning Jerusalem Baptist Church. Narkis Street Congregation seeks to continue in the rich tradition of the last seventy years by proclaiming the Kingdom of God in word and deed.

In Biblical times the proclamation of the Shma—Deuteronomy 6:4-5 which called Israel to hear and obey the one true God with their heart, soul, and strength— signified a person’s acceptance of God’s rule in their life. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment in the law, he affirmed the Shma, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-34; Matt. 22:34-40; Luke 10:25-37). The life and teachings of Jesus were rooted in the Shma and its recognition of God’s Kingdom actively breaking forth into the lives of those willing to receive it (Matt.11:5). Today, as in the times of Jesus, we at Narkis Street Congregation are committed to engaging in and submitting to God’s reign in every aspect of our community: in the heart, soul, mind and strength of the congregation.

Heart: our relationship with God.

Our relationship with God and His Kingdom is summed up in the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. We learn from this prayer that a dynamic relationship with God is founded on love, reverence, gratitude, repentance, forgiveness, and humility.

Through the redemptive death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His followers, our relationship with God is direct and assured. Jesus’ victory over death empowers us to overcome sin, share in his sufferings exemplified by the cross, and to live with an undying hope in this world and in the world to come.

Our congregation builds our relationship with God through worship and prayer that is obedient to the Holy Spirit. If our relationship with God is damaged or impaired, community life will also suffer (Josh. 7; Num. 25:1-9). Our congregation endeavors to build a home where God’s Spirit dwells in the midst of our praise and our heart cries (Rev. 21:3).

Soul: our relationship with others.

After Jesus affirmed that the greatest commandment was to love God and one’s neighbor as one’s self (Luke 10:25-37), he was then asked, Who is my neighbor (friend)? Jesus responded with a parable of a traveling Samaritan who found a man robbed and beaten along the roadside. The Samaritan took the wounded man to an inn and cared for him. Although belonging to a despised ethnic minority during the time of Jesus, the Samaritan was the only one to stop and show mercy. The Samaritan was a true friend. Likewise, we are to be friends to the wounded of our world. Regardless of one’s gender, race, status, or religion, we esteem every person as precious because they have been created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27, Luke 20:25).

We recognize God’s redemptive work throughout history in the election of Israel for the benefit of all the peoples of this land (Gen. 12:2-3; Isa. 60; Isa. 20:23-25; Amos 9:7). Since our congregation is centrally located in Jerusalem, we especially desire to be a part of God’s healing process between Jews, Arabs, and all who live in the land. We believe no one knows when the great and terrible Day of the Lord will come, except God. (Matt. 24:36-44; Mark 13:32-37). We believe that God is the judge and He will judge justly and not according to our theological presuppositions.

Narkis Street Congregation is known as a House of Prayer for all Nations (Isa. 56:7). Our congregation is an open door for all followers of Jesus from every nation, language, and denomination (1 Cor. 12:4-26); we celebrate Communion with all who call Jesus Lord. We strive for unity among all believers while celebrating our diversity in the Spirit’s freedom.

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