Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean Christians unite in Wogs for Christ conference

This Saturday a conference with an unusual focus and unusual name is happening in Sydney.

The tagline Wogs for Christ conference reads “Wog preachers sharing God’s love and God’s truth to other Wogs and for those who love them”.

The term “wog” might seem a bit abrupt at first, in the age of political correctness. An FAQ on the Wogs for Christ website explains:

“Why use the term Wogs? It’s a useful and provocative term to draw a circle around the many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures including Hispanics. What was once a painful word to many of us becomes a tool to bring us together in Christ.”

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But it further notes that the conference is not exclusive to those from that shared background. Anyone who wants to understand that culture further is welcome.

Ray Galea preaching at Wogs for Christ

Ray Galea preaching at last year’s Wogs for Christ conference

The conference will be held at MBM church, Rooty Hill in Sydney’s west, a church known for its multicultural ministry, led by popular Anglican preacher and author, Ray Galea. Galea himself is from a Maltese background.

Amy Soliman, who attended the conference last year, said it resonated with her because of the cultural background that she shared, being from a Christian Egyptian home:

“I learnt to embrace the beauty of my culture and accept its challenges. Knowing that others are in the same boat is priceless.”

Ministry within that context means that certain cultural issues are brought to the surface. Amy described how this was highlighted in the conference elective:

“I went to a seminar on family feuds. Family feuds and holding grudges is a big thing in our culture. Essentially it was about forgiveness and the meaning of forgiveness in relation to our relationship with Christ. ”

This year, the workshop list includes: “Feuds, grudges and vendettas”, “Wogs and superstition” and “Ozwogs—Who am I?”

The situation of Christians from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern backgrounds has been particularly highlighted given the recent attacks against Christians in Egypt. Earlier this year, The Bible Society launched an appeal to rebuild the Egyptian Bible Society bookshop burnt in the attacks.

Soliman said, “Being a Christian Egyptian on this side of the world, I have been touched by the images of Christians who have still continued to worship in the remains of their burnt churches despite oppression and suffering.”