Since the early days of the war in Gaza, Bethlehem Bible College and the Shepherd Society have partnered with St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church and Holy Family Latin Church to provide assistance to both Christians and Muslims affected by the conflict. The project's aim has been to help those in dire need and to demonstrate the love of Jesus by providing essential supplies. Food and medicine are most urgently needed in the region, as the destruction caused by the war has left many people without basic necessities.
The Orthodox Church of St. Porphyry originally sheltered 470 people who had lost their homes. However, that number has since dropped to 320, as some have received visas to countries such as Australia, Canada, and Egypt. While it is a relief that these people are safe, the exodus highlights the shrinking Christian community in the Gaza Strip. The region remains in ruins, with most houses and buildings destroyed, and the Orthodox bishop has expressed concern about the slim prospects for reconstruction. Meanwhile, food and water are urgently needed to sustain those still housed in the church.
The funds provided by the Shepherd Society were securely transferred through the Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem to purchase food supplies from humanitarian aid shipments. Despite the high costs due to the conflict, this ensured that supplies such as flour, sugar, baby formula, and cooking oil reached the church for distribution. The donation of $8,964.70 provided vital food to those who had sought refuge in the church, and this support was especially important during the Orthodox Church's Easter celebrations. The church expressed its deep gratitude for the assistance, offering the Easter greeting "Christos anesti" (Christ is blessed).