A Chilling 21st Century Icon

21 Christians beheaded by Muslim Jihadists on a beach in 2015. 
7 of them were Mama Maggie's "boys."

At the Colson Center’s Wilberforce Award ceremony last weekend, Maggie Gobran, a Coptic Christian known as “Mama Maggie,” and “the Mother Theresa of Cairo,” was honored.

Among the many blessings Mama Maggie has brought to thousands of poor children in Egypt, is the establishment of 100 schools. Yes, 100! 

John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Center, pointed out: “You might remember those 21 Coptic Christians that were beheaded by ISIS terrorists on that beach back in 2015. Each one refused to renounce their faith. At least seven of those martyrs attended Mama Maggie’s schools.”

Do you recall the photo of those 21 men on the beach, each with their killer standing behind in black? The photo is a chilling 21st century icon. 

It's especially iconic when you know the backstory.   

Upon hearing of Maggie Gobran’s connection with 7 of these men, I did a bit of research and came across a 2015 article that filled in some blanks:

Five of them she knew by name.

...the diminutive Mama Maggie said that when those young men were children growing up in her schools, she ate with them and prayed with them.

"Yes,” she said, “they are my boys."

The men were in Libya, looking for work to support their families in Egypt, when they were captured. As they faced death, they were said to have called on the name of Jesus. Mama Maggie explained how these simple men had such faith.

"From Him, firstly, because they experienced a real touch of love."

Then she pointed out the stark contrast between those who were killed and those who did the killing — and how their demeanors spoke volumes about what they believe.

“If you look at the picture you find the one who is trying to kill is covering his face,” Mama Maggie said. “He's afraid to face the world with who he is. And [the 21 Copts] have their identity, their self-respect and self-esteem clear. And they are looking up knowing they are going to live forever. I think it's a huge difference."

A huge difference indeed, Mama! This is due, in part, to your tireless efforts to establish 100 schools in Egypt that lift up the name of Jesus. A huge difference, too, because of the personal love you gave them.

Thank you, Mama Maggie. Your boys wrote an iconic message on the beach that day that won't be washed away.   

The world needs more Maggie Gobrans and "her" kind of boys and girls. If you want to start a Christian school, or you've started one and want to make it a better one, or you teach at a Christian school and you what to be a better teacher, by all means attend the Biblical Worldview Training Boot Camp hosted by Renewanation on July 29-30, either via simulcast or at the Manderley Christian Camp and Conference Center in Pikeville, TN, or on August 1-2 at the Manderley Center only. 

If ever there was a need for quality Christian education, quality Christian educators, and quality Christian students, it is today. 

HEADS UP: A 10% discount for the simulcast ends today. 

For details and registration, click here.

I'll see you there--or via the simulcast!

Posted by Dr. Christian Overman