Mercy Aiken began volunteering with Bethlehem Bible College in 2015 and lived there for a period of over five years. She is passionate about sharing her experience through writing and advocacy. Mercy is currently employed as a Relationship Manager for the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East (NEME). In this role, Mercy engages evangelical leaders, scholars, and pastors in learning more about the challenges that Christians and others face in the Holy Land and across the Middle East. Mercy holds a BA in English from Northern Arizona University and is currently working on a Master of Arts in Theology/Culture/Peacemaking from Saint Stephen’s University in New Brunswick, Canada. She is part of the International Advisory Council for Christ at the Checkpoint and is passionate about ecumenical work and relationship-building between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Mercy also organises and leads tours to the Holy Land twice yearly. She is the co-author of the biography of Bishara Awad, a Palestinian Christian and founder of Bethlehem Bible College – Yet in the Dark Streets Shining: A Palestinian Story of Hope and Resilience in Bethlehem. Mercy interviewed Bishara and many of his family members and other Palestinian Christians over a number of years for the writing of this book. The book weaves historical facts with a personal account of Bishara’s remarkable life.

Rachel Coghlan is a public health leader with over 20 years of post-qualification experience gained in clinical physiotherapy practice and in international health and humanitarian research, policy, and advocacy. Rachel is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a PhD from the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, Deakin University. Her research explores the place of palliative care in humanitarian settings. She has contributed to palliative care research and education in Gaza and maintains special connections with Palestinian friends and colleagues. Rachel is a curious thinker and listener, always searching to learn from those most affected by illness and humanitarian crises. She regularly writes to spread compassion and humanity in living and dying and to help make sense of grief and suffering in our world.

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